This week Beyoncé released the first song of her new album Renaissance, and it is even bigger than what I have come to expect of Beyoncé. “Break My Soul” is an upbeat, dance song that talks about work. Pop-culture music rarely talks about conditions of work, and this week one of the biggest pop-culture icons, released a song about the ‘Great Resignation’. 

NOW I JUST FELL IN LOVE

AND I JUST QUIT MY JOB

I’M GONNA FIND A NEW DRIVE

DAMN THEY WORK ME SO DAMN HARD

WORK BY NINE

THEN OFF PAST FIVE

AND THEY WORK MY NERVES

THAT’S WHY I CANNOT SLEEP AT NIGHT

I have long espoused the ideas of ‘working to live’ as opposed to ‘living to work’, having fair and living wages, [increase in time off and paying more attention to one’s mental health around work, although admittedly I sometimes find it hard to strike a proper work-life balance. 

There has been a reckoning with how the workplace used to be and how it has changed and continues to do so through the pandemic. This change, although includes actions such as increase in unionization, hybrid models of the work space, and even a shift in what used to be considered business attire, it also includes behavioural shifts. Behaviours and actions that were once tolerated, are no longer acceptable. For example, ‘jokes’, racial and gender microaggressions which were tolerated by workers are increasingly reported on, ‘called-out’, and taken actions against by going through the company’s formal procedures. Workers want clearer boundaries around respect and psychological safety at work and to know what happens if and when those boundaries are crossed. This change has been both quiet and seismic simultaneously, and the research has reflected how toxic workplaces have been among the highest indicators of workers leaving their jobs. Not paying attention to this has and will continue to cost employers their most productive and marketable workers. 

Music is one of the most affective forms of art as it moves the body, both literally and metaphorically, through the rhythm, sensations, and vibrations it creates. It is incredible to see Beyoncé use her platform in a powerful house-inspired dance song, inviting the listener to dance, stomp, clap, and move their bodies to the rhythms of the song and release the pain, sadness and anger of the last few years through dance. And while doing that listen and sing the lyrics around philosophies of a healthy work-life balance. 

But the song is not just about work, it is also about love and acceptance. 

Beyoncé released her song close to the Pride Weekend, in both Canada and the U.S., and since there is so much thought and effort that she puts in everything she does, this is no coincidence. I can’t help but to feel gratitude for such an immense declaration of allyship or rather incredible show of support for the members of LGBTQA2+ community. After all the different vitriol and attacks coming to folks, Beyoncé’s song feels like a protective shield. A protection not only offered by a mega star but also by the community that she leads. 

RELEASE YA ANGER

RELEASE YA MIND

RELEASE YOUR JOB

RELEASE THE TIME

RELEASE YOUR TRADE

RELEASE THE STRESS

RELEASE THE LOVE

FORGET THE REST