Pray You Catch Me Catching You

In 2016 Beyoncé released one of her most powerful and popular albums, Lemonade. Once it was released many began speculating the purpose to some of the songs and their true meanings. Most believed the songs were about the marital problems she and husband Jay-Z were experiencing. In the interviews conducted, an article from "E! Network" reveals Beyoncé used the album as a way to cope with her heartbreak and disappointment. Nevertheless, her album inspired and brought a sense of courage and power to women all over the world.

With that being said one of her more powerful songs is "Pray You Catch Me." This is the first track on her album introducing her pain and suspicion associated with the infidelity of her husband, and eventually sets up the story of the whole album. It can be assumed the audience of this song is anyone also struggling with a strained relationship.

The first verse of her song exposes the frustrations and thoughts of infidelity.

You can taste the dishonesty
It's all over your breath as you pass it off so cavalier
But even that's a test
Constantly aware of it all
My lonely ear pressed against the walls of your world

The verse begins with describing dishonesty as something detectable by a breath. In this case, dishonesty is almost something you can taste from a kiss. It also seems she was using the kiss as a test to find traces of this deceit. In addition, Beyoncé's choice to use cavalier, a word with roots stretching back to descriptions of a man with manners and respect for women. This word seems to be the exact opposite of the man she describes before. This is a paradox as it contradicts itself. This supports the meaning of the song, describing a man she once knew as a "cavalier" is now quickly being exposed as their true character. Furthermore, the last line of the first verse is very multidimensional as it can be interpreted in various ways. First, one could hear this and think her ear is literally up against the wall of a room her husband is in and is possibly eavesdropping. Another way of interpreting this line is "his world" could be pointing at the other relationship he is having and the "ear pressed against the walls" of his world describe the thoughts she is feeling on the inside about the situation.

The chorus is also interesting in word choice in reference to the song's meaning.

Pray to catch you whispering
I pray you catch me listening
I'm prayin' to catch you whispering
I pray you catch me
I'm prayin' to catch you whispering
I pray you catch me listening
I pray you catch me

Beyoncé calls out to her husband, and hopes he finds her grieving and in pain. She is searching for an answer to the speculations of his infidelity. The repetition of "pray" indicates a sense of longing and truly shines a light on the struggles she is facing. Praying can also be linked to redemption, a theme that appears throughout Lemonade.

The second verse reveals the tension, she is feeling as a result of these speculations, to the audience.

Nothing else ever seems to hurt like the smile on your face
When it's only in my memory, it don't hit me quite the same
Maybe it's a cause for concern, but I'm not at ease
Keeping my head to the curb

She can't forget the joyful times they have had together, but her suspicions continue to persist.  These memories also seem to be out of reach with the specific diction "... only in my memory." Moreover, her husband worked with her on the production of this album. According to genius.com the line "Keeping my head to the curb" is very similar to a common phrase used in rap. The decision to include this reference is pointing out her mission to keep her ears close to the "curb" to find out what is going on with her husband.

"Pray You Catch Me," acts as the introduction to an album with a story of trust, infidelity, sorrow, and boldness. The song that follows this, "Hold Up" is cleverly placed as they contrast each other. Beyoncé successfully conveyed the meaning of her album with the inclusion of this song.