<P> One of four new songs written for the feature version of Dreamgirls ( originally a 1981 Broadway musical ) , `` Listen '' is a soul - R&B song ; its lyrics make reference to tenacity , love , the refusal to defer dreams and finally rise towards fame . Its instrumentation includes bass , drums , guitars , keyboards , percussion , and violins , among others . Contemporary music critics complimented the strong and emotional vocals of Beyoncé , and added that the lyrics perfectly elaborate on Deena Jones 's life . `` Listen '' won Best Original Song at the 2007 Critics ' Choice Awards . It was nominated in the same category at the 2006 International Press Academy Satellite Award , at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards for all songwriters , and at the 2007 Academy Awards , for songwriters Krieger , Cutler , Preven . </P>
what is the meaning of listen by beyonce
tenacity love the refusal to defer dreams rise towards fame