Topline
Beyoncé’s new song “Break My Soul,” which dropped at midnight, is being welcomed by fans as an anti-work anthem for the Great Resignation, encouraging listeners to quit their jobs and rid themselves of stressors in their lives.
Beyoncé accepts the Best Rap Performance award for ‘Savage’ onstage during the 63rd Annual GRAMMY … [+]
Key Facts
In the dance tune, Beyoncé sings, “Now I just fell in love/ And I just quit my job,” and “Damn they work me so damn hard…And they work my nerves/ That’s why I cannot sleep at night.”
Fans took to social media Tuesday to joke about the song, saying it’s fueling the already-present Great Resignation and the desire to quit their jobs, or to not work harder at their jobs than is required or necessary.
“Break My Soul,” which samples Robin’s “Show Me Love” and Big Freedia’s “Explode,” quickly shot to the No. 1 spot on iTunes after being released.
Big Number
$450 million. That’s Beyoncé’s estimated net worth, as of June 14, according to Forbes. She recently ranked 61st on Forbes’ list of America’s Richest Self Made Women.
Key Background
Last week, Beyoncé announced her seventh studio album, act i: RENAISSANCE, would drop on July 29. It’s her first solo studio album in six years, since 2016’s Lemonade. Variety reported last week the multi-part album would contain both country and dance songs, like “Break My Soul.” Since Lemonade, Beyoncé has been busy, releasing Everything Is Love with husband Jay-Z in 2018, an album and Netflix special from her Coachella spectacular Homecoming in 2019, and a concept album for the live-action Lion King movie called Lion King: A Gift that same year. She was nominated for an Oscar for her original song “Be Alive” from the movie King Richard.
Tangent
Dubbed the Great Resignation, the U.S. saw an unprecedented number of people voluntarily leave their jobs last year, with over 47 million people resigning from their posts.
Further Reading
Beyoncé Announces New Album ‘RENAISSANCE’ Will Be Released July 29 (Forbes)
Beyoncé Wants You to Release Your Job (The Cut)
Beyoncé’s ‘Break My Soul’ Signals The End Of Grind Culture (Elle UK)
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisadellatto/2022/06/21/beyoncs-break-my-soul-heralded-as-anthem-for-the-great-resignation/