Actually, You Are Irreplaceable

I will not lie.

When I first heard the Beyonce song Irreplaceable, I turned up the volume very loud.




To the left….

To the left…

Hmmmm

To the left
To the left

Everything you own in a box to the left.

My gosh I’ve wanted to say that to people before. Not in quite the same way that Beyonce sings about, but still. There are moments you just want to get a box for people and say, “To the left!”

I listened to the rest of the words and turned the volume way down.

What on earth was I singing to? Did I get what the lyrics were actually saying?

I find myself in this predicament more often than I’d like. Songs of scandal are covered by heavy beat-box backgrounds and groovy synthesized I, IV, V, VI V I progressions.

The key chorus announces with great confidence:

Don’t you ever get to thinkn your irreplaceable.

I’m singin’ along and then I think, “Stop! Wait! That’s not true! You are irreplaceable!”

Beyonce sings some more…

You must not know about me
You must not know about me
I could have another you in a minute
matter fact he'll be here in a minute – baby

Okay, more disturbing stuff. Apparently Beyonce has another man already lined up! The first guy was totally replaceable in her eyes.

So since I’m not your everything
How about I'll be nothing
Nothing at all to you
Baby I won’t shed a tear for you
I won't lose a wink of sleep
Cause the truth of the matter is
Replacing you is so easy

The song ends and I continue to think, “What does she mean she won’t shed a tear or lose a wink of sleep for this guy? I’ve shed tears and lost winks of sleep for people. This is not fair. This song does not represent the truth. Replacing people is not “so easy.”

The song claims, “Don’t you ever get to thinkn you’re irreplaceable…”

The truth is, though, that we are all irreplaceable.

Not even the groovy rhythms and hip harmonies can convince me otherwise.