Ave Maria

Album: I Am… Sasha Fierce (2008)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • London-based songwriter Amanda Ghost (James Blunt's "You're Beautiful") co-wrote this song in which Beyoncé re-imagines the classic aria "Ave Maria" in a new musical setting.

    Ghost told the Daily Telegraph (November 8, 2008) the original inspiration for this track: "We were talking about how much we loved the Schubert 'Ave Maria.' We had both recently got married, and it turned out we had both come up the aisle to that song. So I said wouldn't it be great to try and rewrite it. And the lyric is very much about her. She talks about being surrounded by friends but she's alone: 'How can the silence seem so loud?' and then 'There's only us when the lights go down'. I think that's probably the most personal line on the whole album about her and Jay, because they are very real, and they're very much in love, and it must be pretty tough to have that love when you're incredibly famous."

Comments: 4

  • Nina Marie from AustraliaBeyoncés song is Beautiful but why rewrite such an amazing song like Ave Maria, use not just some of the lyrics but also part of the melody plus name it the same and then call it your own. This is wrong. You cannot improve on perfection.
  • Avery from Monroe, NcBeyoncé did an amazing job with this song!
  • Dave from Sterling, Fldoing a wank job like this on one of the most beautiful songs ever written is a crime.
  • Ave Maria from Philadelphia, PaMy name is Ave Maria. I wonder if people are going to start naming their daughters this...
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Brandi Carlile

Brandi CarlileSongwriter Interviews

As a 5-year-old, Brandi was writing lyrics to instrumental versions lullabies. She still puts her heart into her songs, including the one Elton John sings on.

Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa CarltonSongwriter Interviews

The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.

Weezer

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

Maria Muldaur

Maria MuldaurSongwriter Interviews

The "Midnight At The Oasis" singer is an Old Time gal. She talks about her jug band beginnings and shares a Dylan story.

Jeff Trott

Jeff TrottSongwriter Interviews

Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.

Crystal Waters

Crystal WatersSongwriter Interviews

Waters tells the "Gypsy Woman" story, shares some of her songwriting insights, and explains how Dennis Rodman ended up on one of her songs.