Following on the heels of its successful On The Run concert, Beyonce and Jay Z release a teaser of the HBO special of the same name that will document the event. In addition to the usual concert footage, the clip opens in black and white with Beyonce singing the song “Bang Bang,”a song written by Sonny and performed by Cher. Later it was recorded by Nancy Sinatra and gained infamy when featured in the movie Kill Bill. It is her version Beyonce sings in the clip. Her sole audience member is Jay Z, who watches her intently while smoking a cigar.
The song selection,vis-à-vis the singers known for performing it combined with the lyrics play up the conflict within their relationship, at least as currently interpreted by the public, and push the usual buttons that can inspire endless loops of social media debate.
Judging by the clip, it seems clear the Beyonce and Jay are in on the joke and are now turning it around on all their followers, lovers and haters alike. Using rumors of discord and the politics of husband and wife power play as a marketing ploy however twisted is not only clever, it may also be a first. Is it flirting with danger to toy in such a mercenary way with the dynamics of one’s own relationship? Yes, of course it is, but then, too, flirtation with risk hello, Bonnie & Clyde?) seems to have always been part of what makes these two tick.
