"I Care" is a song by American recording artist Beyoncé Knowles, taken from her fourth studio album, 4 (2011). It was written by Knowles, Jeff Bhasker and Chad Hugo while production was handled by Knowles and Bhasker. The song was recorded at the MSR Studios and was mixed by Jordan Young aka DJ Swivel at KMA Studio in New York City. "I Care" is an R&B power ballad, which also contains elements of soul music and rock music. Built on a hand-clapped rhythm and pulsating beats, the song's instrumentation consists of screeching guitars, low-profile synthesizers, pounding drums, heavy percussion instrument, and a piano. In "I Care", Knowles admits her vulnerability to her indifferent love interest with both honesty and power. She sings with heartfelt emotion over cooing background vocals and scats alongside a multi-octave guitar solo towards the end of the song.
I told you how you hurt me, baby
But you don't care
Now I'm crying and deserted, baby
But you don't care
Ain't nobody tell me this is love
But you're immune to all my pain
I need you to tell me this is love
You don't care. Well, that's okay
Well, I care
I know you don't care too much
But I still care (la la la la) baby (la la la la)
Oh, I care
I know you don't care too much
But I still care (la la la la) baby (ah) (la la la la)
Ever since you knew your power
You made me cry
And now everytime our love goes sour
You won't sympathize
You see these tears falling down to my ears
I swear you like when I'm in pain
I try to tell you all my fears
You still don't care. That's okay
Well, I care
I know you don't care too much
But I still care (la la la la) baby (la la la la)
Oh, I care
I know you don't care too much
But I still care (la la la la) baby (ah) (la la la la)
Boy, maybe if you care enough
I wouldn't have to care so much
What happened to our trust?
Now you just givin' up
You used to be so in love
Now you don't care no more
Well, I care
I know you don't care too much
But I still care (la la la la) baby (la la la la)
Oh, I care
I know you don't care too much
But I still care (la la la la) baby (la la la la)
I still care
I still care
I still care (ah)
