The Writing's On The Wall was premiered by "Bills, Bills, Bills", a track which echoed the men-bashing sentiments of TLC's massive summer hit "No Scrubs", and even featured the same producer (Kevin "She'kspere" Briggs). The song provided the quartet with their first US chart-topper in July 1999, and also reached the UK Top 10. The album featured a greater creative input from the quartet, although they still relied on a heavyweight production crew including Rodney Jerkins, Missy Elliott, Chad Elliot, and Dwayne Wiggins of Tony! Toni! Ton?!. Farrah Franklin and Michelle Williams joined the group in February 2000 to replace the departing Roberson and Luckett. A month later the quartet topped the US Hot 100 with "Say My Name". Despite ongoing personnel problems, with Franklin leaving in August, the group enjoyed further transatlantic hits with "Jumpin', Jumpin'" and "Independent Women Part 1". The latter, taken from the soundtrack of Charlie's Angels, topped the US charts for an incredible eleven weeks.
Now firmly established as the group's leader, Knowles took control of songwriting and production on the ultra-slick and hugely successful Survivor. In 2002, she made her acting debut as Foxy Cleopatra in Austin Powers In Goldmember. Rowland branched out into solo work during the same year, enjoying a massive transatlantic hit with "Dilemma", a collaboration with rapper Nelly.
[talking]
Uhh uhh uhh.
You ready B? Let's go get 'em..
[verse 1: Jay-Z]
Look for me! Young, B
Cruisin down the westside - high, way
Doing what we like to do - our, way
Eyes behind shades, this necklace the reason
all of my dates been blind dates
But today, I got my thoroughest girl wit me
I'm mashin the gas, she's grabbin the wheel, it's true to the heart
She rides with me - the new Bobby and Whitney
Only time we don't speak is during "Sex and the City"
She gets Carrie fever, but soon as the show is over
She's right back to being my soldier
Cuz mami's a rider, and I'm a roller
Put us together, how they gon' stop both us?
What ever she lacks, I'm right over her shoulder
When I'm off track mami is keepin me focused
So let's, lock this down like it's supposed to be
The '03 Bonnie and Clyde, Hov' and B
[chorus]
[J] All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend.
[B] Down to ride 'til the very end, it's me and my boyfriend.
[J] All I need in this life of sin, is me and my girlfriend.
[B] Down to ride 'til the very end, it's me and my boyfriend.
[verse 2: Jay-Z]
The problem is, you dudes treat the one that you lovin
with the same respect that you treat the one that you humpin
Now they 'bout nothin - if ever you mad about somethin
It won't be that; oh no it won't be that
I don't be at, places where we comfy at
With no be-atch; oh no you won't see that
And no, I ain't perfect - nobody walkin this earth's surface is
But girlfriend, work with the kid
I keep you workin at Kermain, Burkin bag (?)
Winolo (?), Timbs, aviator lens
600 drops, Mercedes Benz
The only time you wear Burberry to swim
And I don't have to worry, only worry is him
She do anything necessary for him
And I do anything necessary for her
so don't let the necessary occur, yep!
[chorus]
[Beyonce]
(Talk to 'em B)
If I was your girlfried
I'll be there for you, if somebody hurts you
Even if it's somebody (?)
Yeah-hee (break it down for 'em)
Sometimes I trip on how happy we could be
And so I put this on my life
Nobody or nothing will ever come between us
And I promise I'll give my life
and all of my trust if you was my boyfriend
Put this on my life
The air that I breathe in, all that I believe in
I promise I'll give my life
and all of my trust if you was my boyfriend
[chorus]