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I was working with Rodney Jerkins, LaShawn Daniels and Rico Love. We did a few records in about a two week span. I just remember writing that song and imagining being in a fight with myself. I say “I’m in this fight and I’m swinging but my arms are getting tired. I’m trying to beat the loneliness, but I’m running out of time.” I could picture Beyonce swinging at air. I felt like everybody in their life has been in a place of loneliness – whether you’re the biggest celebrity in the world or you’re the little girl in school that nobody likes. You know what I mean? We can all relate to loneliness on some kind of level. That song is so special, because it transcends gender, race, age culture. It’s about being afraid of being alone and all of us have that. She’s such an amazing talent. When she performs that record she does it in such a way that just embodies the meaning of that song. I’m just blessed to be a part of that song. When they first called me and told me that Beyonce liked that song I said “Cool. I ain’t got to write any more. Life is good!” [laughs]
http://lifeandtimes.com/check-the-credits-crystal-nicole-tells-the-stories-on-writing-for-rihanna-j-lo-mariah-carey-more/6
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Crystal Nicole: [Laughs] I've learned from them, first of all, to be a lot more involved in the creative process. Because I'm a songwriter, I can't just go in and give songs to you that you've never heard before and say, "Here go in the booth and sing that" and there's no connection. I've learned that there has to be a connection between the artist, myself, and the song that I'm singing.
For me, the music on my project, like "Pinch Me" and things of that nature... They have to be personal. It has to come from me. Even if someone else wrote it, I have to be able to relate to it in such a way that it feels like my words. I've learned a lot of the great artists that I've worked with... They know how to take my songs that I wrote for them and change it around and make it personal for them. I've definitely learned that. And just consistency and work ethic.
Beyonce is a freaking machine in the studio! [Laughs] She comes in on time... Which is not the case all the time. [Laughs]. I remember one day she recorded about six songs in a day, and she was in maybe around 11AM and she was out before the streetlights came on. [Laughs] I was in the other room stumbling on one demo, while she cut like six records in a day! So I definitely learned consistency and work ethic. Even when the world considers you to be the best, you still have to live up to that and you still have to work your butt off.
Read more: http://singersroom.com/content/2011-07-26/Crystal-Nicole-Patience-Dream/#ixzz3IqbIlPcP
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The IMC: You got your first Grammy award for your work on Beyonce’s album [I Am…Beyonce], in what ways was that a career defining moment for you?
CN: Honestly, working with Beyonce is more of a moment than winning the Grammy! Being in the studio with her was just great. She is truly one of the few who’s talented and professional. She was always on time, always respectful! She was so nice, she’d go to each of the studios and speak to everyone before starting the session! Her work ethic is insane too. She’d get in the studio and record like four or five songs in a day… it was like clockwork to her. So if I learned anything from working with her, I learned how to be a woman in this business and being professional.
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Original Demo