Destiny’s Child, Cater 2 U | Controversial Tunes 😈🎶

In the 4^th edition of Controversial Tunes (2023), we explore the controversy behind the song, “Cater 2 U” by Destiny’s Child. 

Bring on the controversy! Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows and totally stirred the pot.  The records that grace Controversial Tunes are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  In the 4^th edition of Controversial Tunes (2023), we explore the controversy behind the song, 🎵 “Cater 2 U” by 🎙 Destiny’s Child. 

“Whatever your desire, I’ll supply ya,” 🎙 Beyoncé asserts on the 2004 🎙 Destiny’s Child hit, 🎵 “Cater 2 U” (💿 Destiny Fulfilled).  Prior to her willingness to supply, Yoncé asserts in the pre-chorus, “Let me help you take off your shoes / Untie your shoestrings, take off your cuff links (Yeah) / What you wanna eat, boo? (Yeah) / Let me feed you, let me run your bathwater.” Run his bathwater?  It is these lyrics that make SOME folks, particularly younger folks, consider “Cater 2 U” to be controversial.  In an age where gender stereotypes are much more antiquated, and women specifically are far more independent, the thinking is this aughts song hasn’t aged well.

Beyoncé, in particular, comes over as far more submissive than say an 🎵 “Independent Woman”. To be fair, she wants to show her man appreciation in the first verse.  The question is, is it too much? “My life would be purposeless without you” and “Baby, sit back and let me pour out my love letter” can be deemed a sweet and dedicated on one hand, but also overkill and submissive on the other.  Throw in all the things she’s willing to do on the pre-chorus, and the catering is, well, a lot. That doesn’t even account for the chorus, where Bey adds, “I got your slippers, your dinner, your dessert and so much more.” Of course, part of that is sexual, to be fair. Still, “Anything you want, I wanna cater to you” may justify heat this song has taken in the 2020s.

To be fair, Beyoncé is not the sole culprit in “Cater 2 U,” IF you consider this to be a problematic record that should be cancelled.  While the appreciation that 🎙 Kelly Rowland exhibits in the second verse is sweet to some degree, I can also see those old-school wife stereotypes coming through (“Boy, is there something you need me to do?”).  Furthermore, in her pre-chorus, she’s focused on impressing him in regard to her body and perhaps most eyebrow raising, “When you come home late, tap me on my shoulder, I’ll roll over / Baby, I heard you / I’m here to serve you.” There is double entendre, but, it also seems unlikely these lyrics would fly today.  🎙 Michelle Williams is not exempt, as she “wanna give you my breath / My strength / My will to you / That’s the least I can do, let me cater to you.” All told, I highly doubt Destiny’s Child and the rest of the songwriting team had bad intentions. Looking back, does 🎵 “Cater 2 U” feel iffy – a bit anti-feminist and antiquated thinking? Yes, but, ultimately, the degree of controversy depends on who you are.  What isn’t questionable is how divisive this R&B hit is.

🎙 Destiny’s Child • 💿 Destiny Fulfilled • 🏷 Sony BMG Music Entertainment • 🗓 2004

Destiny’s Child, “Cater 2 U”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. 4 (2023) [📷: Brent Faulkner/ The Musical Hype; Sony BMG Music Entertainment; Tazz Vaughn via Pexels; Darkmoon_Art,  TheDigitalArtist via Pixabay]