“Say My Name” by Destiny’s Child

The setting of “Saying My Name” has the vocalist is speaking to the addressee, her significant other, over the telephone. And it’s like the way he’s conversing has her alarmed. That’s because on top of inconsistencies in terms of what he’s putting forth, he is also responding to her questions in a very ambiguous manner. 

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Destiny's Child's Say My Name at Lyrics.org.

And being that they’re lovers and all, this is not the way their discussions usually go. Or getting right down to the nitty-gritty, the vocalist is under the impression that the addressee is with another lady and does not want to give that girl the impression that he’s rather cheating on her.

So that is why the vocalist is demanding that he ‘say her name’ and “baby, I love you”, because doing so would verify that he is not concurrently fraternizing with another lady. But considering that the song concludes as it began, the implication is that he proceeds to act funny, and therefore Beyoncé and co. are indeed convinced that he’s cheating.

Lyrics of Destiny's Child's "Say My Name"

When did Destiny’s Child release “Say My Name”?

1999 was the year Destiny’s Child released this global hit song. The group released it as single number 3 from their hit alum titled “The Writing’s on the Wall”.

Writing Credits for “Say My Name”

A total of seven songwriters joined forces to pen “Say My Name”. Below are all the names involved in the writing of “Say My Name”:

  • LaShawn Daniels
  • Rodney Jerkins
  • Fred Jerkins III
  • Beyoncé Knowles
  • LeToya Luckett
  • LaTavia Roberson
  • Kelly Rowland

“Say My Name” meets with Great Success!!!

This is without a doubt one of Destiny’s Child’s most commercially successful songs. As of 2022, “Say My Name” has sold over 4 million units in the UK and the US alone. In the latter country, where it has gone 3 times platinum, the figure is 3 million.

Chart-wise, “Say My Name” was a hit in several countries. In Destiny’s Child’s home country (the United States), it was a solid number 1 hit. It also topped the Australian singles charts. In the United Kingdom, “Say My Name” also performed brilliantly well, peaking at the 3rd position on UK’s official singles chart (UK Singles).

Other countries where “Say My Name” performed brilliant on the charts include:

  • Belgium (#7)
  • Canada (#4)
  • France (#10)
  • Netherlands (#4)
  • Norway (#8)
  • Poland (#2)

In 2021, “Say My Name” made it into Rolling Stone‘s iconic “500 Greatest Songs” ever list. It was placed at the 285th position.

Grammy Honors

At the 2001 Grammys, Destiny’s Child took home multiple awards thanks to “Say My Name”. With this song they won the Grammy for “Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals”. The song also won another Grammy in the “Best R&B Song” division.

Furthermore, “Say My Name” was nominated for a Grammy in two of the most prestigious categories at the Grammys – the “Song of the Year” and “Record of the Year” awards. It however, lost both awards to U2’s classic “Beautiful Day“.

Famous Covers

These are some of the popular artists and bands that have covered or sampled “Say My Name” in one way or another:

  • Superchunk
  • Cyril Hahn
  • Paper Route
  • Drake (used portions of it in his 2013 song “Girls Love Beyonce”)
  • The Neighbourhood (did a mash-up featuring both this song and Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River”)

Usage in TV and Film(s)

The 2021 horror film Candyman featured this song in a slowed-down manner in their first trailer.

The Sick Puppies Controversy

Sick Puppies, an Australian band, covered “Say My Name”. However, they switched the original song’s background music with Green Day’s “Brain Stew”. Destiny’s Child’s label threatened them with legal action. This threat made the band leave the song out from the album it was intended to be a part of.

Say My Name

Destiny’s Child’s “The Writing’s on the Wall” Album

“The Writing’s on the Wall” by American all-girls group Destiny’s Child was released on the 27th of July 1999 as their second studio album. It was released through Columbia Records.

“The Writing’s on the Wall” earned the group a number of Grammy Award nominations and a lot of positive reviews from music critics. This album happened to be the last album to have all original members of the group featured.  

“The Writing’s on the Wall” sold over 130,000 units within its first week of release in the US alone. By November 6 of 2001, that figure had gone past 6 million. The RIAA certified it 8x Platinum in the US and the BPI gave it a 3x Platinum certification in the UK. It peaked at No.5 on the Billboard 200 in the US, and ranked top-10 in the following countries:

  • Australia – 2
  • Belgium – 8
  • Canada – 5
  • Netherland – 3
  • New Zealand – 6
  • Norway – 7
  • UK – 1

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