The Beyoncé Edition
She’s one of one. She’s number one. She’s the only one.
Earlier this year, I took on a huge undertaking when I wanted to rank Beyonce’s entire discography. I knew it was going to take me a while, so back when I decided to write a Beyoncé newsletter, I really wasn’t interested in doing an entire retrospective of her career and how my relationship to her, her music and her brand has changed, shifted and evolved over time. I mean that would make a good newsletter, but it is not one I am in the place to write as of now. Obviously, her career IS worth diving into, but I would be more inclined to do something like that after we get the third installment of this three act project she is in the midst of releasing. Perhaps then, it would be worth getting into the nitty-gritty of her early status as a young go-getter, starlet, and then eventually how she became a legend that still manages to be at the top of her game. I just wanted to make it clear that’s not what this newsletter is. It is a ranking of her discography, which, to be fair, is very much in line with how Beyoncé wants us to see her anyway. For the music she’s made! So, sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
On SuperBowl Sunday, I was sick as a dog. It really sucked. I thought it was Covid and it wasn’t, but I was actually excited to travel home and watch the SuperBowl with my entire family. The free food and company would have fixed many of my problems. I don’t know if it’s the aging or something in the air, but 2024 has not stopped hating me since!
So, pathetically, I stayed in bed all day, attached to my phone, taking at least 4 naps before the start of the Super Bowl. Forget the pounding of my head, my gnarly sore throat and the uncomfortable fever I had - I had some football to watch! Somehow, I have made it a priority to watch the Super Bowl every year. Football isn’t my favorite sport ever, but it’s a relatively easy sport to follow and they advertise it by hiring a recording artist to perform the biggest concert of the year! I also love chicken and wings are always the food of choice for a SuperBowl. Don’t get me wrong - there are several glaring issues with the Super Bowl, especially this year and how it was used as a distraction for what Israel did to Rafah, while an ad about antisemitism aired in the US. And of course, we know that the NFL did to Colin Kaeperneck and how they generally mistreat their black players. But overall, I do enjoy watching the game and the halftime show from year to year.
I did, of course, watch for Usher, a fantastic choice for a halftime performer. Clearly though, I should have been watching the Nickelodeon broadcast because that looked like a BLAST! I had heard that Beyoncé had a commercial with Verizon, but she’s so full of shenanigans, and I didn’t want to set myself up for disappointment. In other words, I didn’t think too much about it. But then, the commercial was great, fun even. And then she said to DROP THE NEW MUSIC??
And lo and behold, new music was dropped. First came an album teaser that revealed March 29th, as the date, and then two songs were swiftly released in the most Beyoncé fashion. They were Tidal exclusives for twenty seconds… and then were uploaded to YouTube and finally then to other platforms. What a wild ride! And as some people already called it, Act II will be a country album! Except, not exactly. On March 19, 2024, Beyoncé posted the official cover to her album, entitled Cowboy Carter, (a name that has grown on me a lot since I’ve heard the history surrounding the Carter name and also since I’ve listened to the album) with a lengthy caption. And in the caption, she explicitly states “This is not a country album, it’s a Beyoncé album!” So, there you have it folks. There was already speculation that not every track on Act II would be country. After all, several tracks on Renaissance are a mix of genres!
And Cowboy Carter ends up being a gorgeous rumination on America - past, present and future. Beyoncé revives all kinds of music that spans across the US, mostly derived from Black people from “the country.” Country music is more than the box we draw around it. And hey, I say, being country is country enough. The album feels like a dissertation on genre and on American culture and the more I think about it, the more I am hugely impressed by it. It’s almost a sprawling historical epic through time and space, attempting to excavate the meaning of country, while acknowledging the sins of the pasts and the prayers for the future. Although we still don’t have visuals to accompany such a special project, (unless you want to count that BEYWATCH video) we do now have a Christmas Day NFL halftime performance. I’m sure it will be life-changing.
Before this three-act project, all of Beyoncé’s musical projects were of interest to me. Out of all the popular artists of our time, I believe that she is the most qualified to be called the defining artist of our generation. Her discography is of ENDLESS intrigue - each project is so different than the next and the concepts just get bigger, denser and more ambitious. Her musical influences are vast and surprising. You can also tell the different sonic elements that excite her as an artist as she continues to use them to elevate specific soundscapes, melodies, vocal layerings, and instrumentations across all albums. I think she has really managed to create the best pop star discography of any artist who has ever lived.
Ultimately, she is one of the greatest to ever do it. And to prove it, I will be ranking her discography! Destiny’s Child tracks and features/collaborations that appear on another artist’s album and not her own, were not considered in this ranking. Songs credited as being by “The Carters” were! “Unreleased” songs were considered… sort of. So, without further ado, here goes my top 100 Beyoncé songs.
100. MY POWER (The Lion King: The Gift)
I feel like I have to start this off saying thank you to Tierra Whack. She delivers the greatest featured verse on a Beyoncé song and I am pretty comfortable saying this definitively. I genuinely think she’s one of the most stimulating rappers currently due to her flow, wordplay, and tone of voice. She especially delivers on this guest appearance. Overall, Beyoncé puts together a complete anthem for Black power and resilience across the diaspora and across generations. Now, we all know that this goes OFF live, thanks to Miss Blue Ivy Carter herself, and it brought new meaning to “this my bloodline, on the frontlines, ready for war!” But it also serves as a reminder for the kind of artist Beyoncé is. There are so many moving pieces to a song like this and she’s able to bring it all together like the creative director she is and hit a home run when it comes to subject matter. A stellar performance by her and every featured artist on the track.
99. Thique (Renaissance)
This was my least favorite song on Renaissance when it first came out. I thought it was just so unserious. And it still is! I have just come to like that about it. While I thought the production of the song was isolating at first, I recognized that I just had to imagine the right atmosphere surrounding the song. It almost feels like an underground auto repair shop… do you see what I mean? Like, just imagine any one of the random locations Tinashe shoots in for her music videos. It’s exactly that vibe. Speaking of Tinashe, the bridge of that song feels so much like her. It’s undeniable. Overall, this song is actually quite the intricate bop. There’s not a single uninteresting part of it. Production goes CRAZY. It’s no longer the ugly stepsister of Renaissance for me, but a pretty perfect representation of the planetary soundscape Beyoncé was building with this album in the first place.
98. Roc
I guess this is technically an unreleased song, but I’m sure it was featured on one of those physical special super deluxe editions of I Am… Sasha Fierce. Anyways, it’s a solid song that never drags and very smoothly rolls on by. The rhythm and the melody together make singing along irresistible. It’s a sound and an era of R&B that just doesn’t exist anymore… so I might be a little nostalgic for it! And that’s okay! I also cannot ignore that it is spelled R-O-C as in Roc Nation or Roc-a-fella Records. Beyoncé is the most “my man, my man, my man” artist the world has ever seen. There’s a reason why an old clip of hers — “I’m on my way to see my husband” — went viral! This gives very much that vibe.
97. Desert Eagle (Cowboy Carter)
Any song that starts with an eagle sound is in the running for the greatest song of all time. I don’t even care if it is criminally short (Actually I do. I care a lot. It should be longer). You don’t need a degree to notice that this is an incredibly sexual song, but I am mostly just obsessed with how it sounds. I have no idea why she didn’t expand on it. It immediately has a strong acoustic environment and I can think of a million ways that this song could have advanced. But I guess I am supposed to be okay with its current length.
96. Flamenco (Cowboy Carter)
It’s a bit insane that this is also one of the shortest songs on the album. Beyoncé absolutely hates me. This song kind of reminds me of living with anxiety and looking on as the world moves around you. Beyoncé highlights a certain kind of mindfulness that’s important. It’s better to live in the moment, rather than languish in all the trouble and fears you’re conjuring up. Mortality can be a scary thing sometimes, especially when you’re constantly thinking about legacy and running from oblivion. Beyoncé reminds us and herself that tapping into our soul is the key for loving harder and living wilder. And she does it to the tune of a pretty sick guitar, stellar harmonies and soaring melodies. It certainly deserves a part 2 or an extended edition or something! But maybe I should also be reminded that I can still let the song breathe in its brevity. That’s probably even, dare I say, the point of it all!
95. Diva (I Am… Sasha Fierce)
I hope she never takes this song off of the set list for her future tours. Blue Ivy, her manager, was right as always. It’s simply a staple. The bouncy anthem makes you feel so powerful and in charge every time you listen to it. All of these years later, it remains a standout track from I Am… Sasha Fierce. It’s deliciously braggadocious and ever since the Renaissance World Tour, has gone on to reinvigorate itself and start a new life. There are too many iconic bars in this one to list, but the chorus itself is unforgettable in its direct simplicity. Merriam-Webster should adopt her definition of diva… that’s all I’m saying!
94. If I Were A Boy (I Am… Sasha Fierce)
Speaking of I Am… Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé did her big one with this track. Released simultaneously with the smash hit Single Ladies, If I Were A Boy remains one of her most poignant ballads to date. Beyoncé does something here that is timeless — she sings her heart out about the plight that many, if not all, heterosexual women must endure when they love a man. Sounds awful… I wouldn't wish it on anyone. But, and the video reinforces this, women are conditioned to put up with mess to maintain a happy home. What this song does, at the very least, is show how deeply unfair and painful maintaining a relationship can be, especially when you’re holding on for dear life. We sure do live in a society.
93. SUMMER (Everything is Love)
Everything Is Love came out while I was on campus at Princeton University for some summer stock theater. The walk to the rehearsal hall was a short one, but I made sure to listen to this song everyday. It made me feel at peace with the stuffy heat and also gave me the idea that I might even be able to find someone to love. Silly me. It’s smooth as all hell and instantly became my favorite track off the album. It’s picturesque in a way I never heard a Beyoncé song… even Jay Z’s verse falls in line with the relaxing vibe. Simply a gorgeous song that is horribly underrated. I often characterize it as a more settled, laid back version of All Night… if you can even imagine!
92. Standing On the Sun (Beyoncé)
For some reason, Beyoncé only has the remix of Standing on the Sun on streaming services. And while it’s great in its own right, and similar enough, I am specifically talking about the original version when I rank it here. I can say this with full confidence and assurance… this could have been her Espresso. The tropical vibrations of the song bring an effervescent energy and it would have ultimately been far ahead of the curve of the moment when artists randomly wanted dancehall beats and elements added to their pop tracks. There’s also enough of an industrial undertone to the entire thing that works. It’s strangely like work and play at the same time!
91. Energy (Renaissance)
The mute heard ‘round the world! This song is so good that you forget that it is quite literally less than two minutes. Beyoncé is foul for this. But the length forces you to sing along to every single lyric as you attempt to capture the, well, energy of hearing the song for the first and hundredth time. I’m slightly annoyed that Beyoncé chose to omit “cause them Karens just turned into terrorists” on the world tour. Like the Karens needed to hear that! But hey, who am I after all. Also, it took me probably over a year to realize she was saying “voting out 45” in this song. I assume that this song was then made in 2020. All in all, it’s the perfect bite size of a song. None of it and all of it is relatable!
90. Superpower (Beyoncé)
Beyoncé - Superpower ft. Frank Ocean
I used to think this was the weakest song on her self-titled album. I clearly just need to stop thinking! My music taste ten years ago is SHAKING. This is very excellent. Beyoncé essentially comes on the track with her low growl of a voice while the musical backdrop of doo-wop keeps the song afloat. The Frank Ocean feature is interesting here. It’s not even that his vocals compliment hers, it just gives new depth and breadth and LIFE to the song, you know? Beyoncé can make me believe in love no matter what, because the way she describes it is just so refreshing and overwhelming. What I might be hearing can also be the feeling of true camaraderie and community, something impenetrable that is revolutionary and change-making. I like that this feels intentionally slow and methodical, like a slow-motion film scene as one is getting ready for battle. Tough love, after all, is needed to go to war. I’m going to get tired of saying how good Beyoncé sounds on all of these songs. But yes, we know that she sounds amazing here.
89. Why Don’t You Love Me? (I Am…Sasha Fierce)
Beyoncé - Why Don't You Love Me
You can say this about so many of her songs, but this HAS to be one of her most energetic tracks ever released! It’s the kind of song that makes you want to spin out as if you are doing Britney Spears level choreography in your living room. It will certainly get your heart rate up. While there are several eternal ~ Beyoncé ~ elements this song has to offer, one of the main things I love about it is its sheer incredulity. Like the AUDACITY this man has! Maybe that’s what makes it feel like such a communal experience when listening to it because, yeah, you’re absolutely right… he must’ve bumped his head! There’s really no other reason for this foolishness she is going through. There’s also interestingly enough an aspect of hopelessness to it as well. The feeling of being everything anyone would need and it still not being enough. It’s ridiculous and absurd and frustrating and heartbreaking. Well, sorry for being so depressing about this one! It is still really fun and in the end, she kind of realizes her worth! Yay for realizing your worth!
88. Work It Out
In a different world, we could have gotten funk/neo-soul Yoncé. And I wouldn’t have been bothered at all. I can’t believe this is a movie soundtrack song. It was very much worthy of being her debut song (I know it technically was, but I mean like the lead single of a debut album!) Although I did think she was screaming at me to blow my horn, (apparently she says CHAD and not CHILD) I’m glad Chad has his own stamp on this song. She’s such a showman, that she would fit really well in the era of Prince, James Brown and even further back with Ma Rainey and Muddy Waters. She just has that effervescent vitality that would really work as a frontman. Like can you imagine if we really, and I mean really, brought back BANDS? Another question for another time. Strangely, this song also reminds me of Dancing Machine by Jackson 5. It's time to grow out our fros, put on our best Tina Turner imitation dress and heels and work it out!
87. Brown Skin Girl (The Lion King: The Gift)
Beyoncé, Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN, WizKid - BROWN SKIN GIRL (Official Video)
I would be remiss if I didn’t include such an anthem in my top 100 songs. When it comes to The Gift, she somehow makes a song of self-love, Black female empowerment, and Black beauty the centerpiece of the album, exhibiting how Black women are really the beginning, the middle, the end and everything in between. She is also all-inclusive, and makes sure that South Asian girls get their shout-out as well. Beyoncé knows how to shine a light on a people, on a story, and on a journey. Having her daughter’s voice end the song perfectly wraps the bow on the history she is recording and the legacy she intends to leave behind.
86. Listen (B’Day)
For some people, this was a realization that Beyoncé can SING SING. For years, for some reason, Beyoncé has been accused of being a “good singer” but without “SOUL.” I have always heard that she is technically great without the real emotion to back it up. I always found this ridiculous and nonsensical. I think people really are just referring to her tone when they say that. Anyways, I do think this song ended up changing people’s minds about her because she was so clearly tearing it up! Live renditions are even more transcendent and then it moved on to become the national anthem of the Philippines. Obviously, it was written for the screen, so it makes sense that the story in the song is very engaging and relatable, but the way she delivers it is phenomenal. It really is a song about finding your own voice and courage, which is why it is everlasting.
85. Disappear (I Am…Sasha Fierce)
This song sort of snuck up on me in the past couple of years. I always liked it, but as my mind ran rampant during the pandemic, I started to really appreciate the track’s songwriting. It’s so visceral, almost as if it’s ripped straight from a movie soundtrack. I could see the whole arc of the song’s narrative as I was listening to it. And when you are able to do that, you know you’ve done some good storytelling! This is also really random, but I quite like how the guitar sounds on this song. It feels bright and hopeful which provides a nice contrast to the song’s more regretful lyrics. I also love all the ad-libs and backing vocals — it’s just really stunning. Beyoncé and soaring vocals go hand in hand so she just really impresses me here.
84. Back Up
You can tell that this loud ass song was supposed to be on B’Day lol She just wanted to make some NOISE. This is kind of iconic To. Me. Although I think the bridge could have been a lot better, the rest of the song is simply irresistible. It’s instantaneously a club anthem, but maybe people thought it was a little too… Amerie? Idk Beyoncé did it first anyways, and (obviously) sounded a lot better. Not many people can sound this great yelling on the mic. It’s a great gift of hers. It’s very 2005 in the best way possible.
83. Alliigator Tears (Cowboy Carter)
This is such an interesting song that deserves an analysis of its own. It’s just as much about a messed up, emotionally manipulative relationship than it is about Beyoncé's own relationship to the industry. I might be way off base, but because crocodile tears are known to be expressions of sorrow that are insincere, I could only assume that she has Americanized the phrase further. She seems to know that the subject isn’t sincere or genuine and yet “he’s” still her everything. She goes as far as to say she adores the alligator tears. She’s clearly here to stay and it feels like an intoxication with the artificial or the staged, which is inherently a part of art-making. I haven’t quite fully unpacked this song yet, but if I know one thing, it sounds fantastic!
82. Countdown (4)
Beyoncé - Countdown (Official Video)
The run in the beginning alone is instantly iconic. Beyoncé is one of few major artists who has songs that aren’t her most commercially successful, but are instantly recognizable and still quite popular among the general public. Perhaps it’s because Countdown has all of Beyoncé’s favorite musical elements in one song -- horns, difficult runs, effortless vocal transitions, a noisy bumping back beat, staccato rhythms, etc. -- but this becomes yet another song that is the very essence of Beyoncé. It is also maybe her catchiest song, because you can at least try and sing along to it!
81. Poison (I Am…Sasha Fierce)
I am not sure if people realize this song exists, but the important thing to note is that I must shout from the rooftop and share its excellence with the world. There are many songs with this exact simile/metaphor, but this might be my favorite one. It accurately and specifically portrays what it is like to be in a toxic environment. It’s an impossible situation. “I don’t want it, but I do” is the central lyric of the song. Aspects of the relationship feel worth holding onto, but you don’t want to hold onto it because you know that it will eventually kill you. The song itself sounds bright and Beyoncé’s vocals are love ballad-ready, but the effects of this relationship are clearly harmful. This person is the poison and the antidote, so she isn’t even making the choice to continue loving this person. As she says “It’s a heartbreaking situation I’m up in but I can’t control.” It’s one of Beyoncé’s darker songs, when you really think about it.
80. Flaws and All (B’Day)
This song has taken on a new life since the Renaissance World Tour. I never thought in a million years that I would ever hear Beyoncé sing this song live. Nothing but God, to be honest, because you know we can't trust Beyoncé with anything. I always liked this song because I agreed with it. I am always confused, in general, why people love me. I’m really not that much of a good person. Yes, I even get confused when they’re supposed to love me, because I have all of these negative attributes. If I could sing, there was no doubt I would have sang this heartfelt number at a talent show. It was that serious to me. I felt it so deeply. And to know Beyoncé of all people, once felt this way, is unthinkable mostly, but also comforting. It’s really the perfect song and quite sweet, I think. Even if you don’t understand why you’re loved, which could mean something deeper, it’s really a fantastic expression to be able to admit and revel in a loved one’s love. And, of course, I think with Beyoncé literally being Beyoncé, it makes sense as a letter to her fans as well!
79. Love Drought (Lemonade)
Let the record reflect that I actually didn’t even like Love Drought when Lemonade first came out. I was so confused why people had it as their favorite song — especially when songs like All Night or Freedom existed. Over the years, I’ve defrosted and even warmed up to this song! It sounds a little bit futuristic and the vibes are absolutely twinkly lights in a monochromatic LED lit room. It has a floaty feel to it, which is helped by Beyoncé’s light and airy vocals. It still has an undeniable beat and groove to it - the production is immaculate and layered - but it ultimately does feel like a alt pop dreamscape when you’re listening to it. And if you listen to the lyrics, they are a dream of the world she wants to rebuild with Jay.
78. End of Time (4)
Beyoncé - End Of Time (Live at Roseland)
Beyoncé is so good at making “group music.” This song just sounds like the only proper way to listen to it is while in a dance or spin class, being active around other people. The layered vocals assist in the idea that it is meant to be enjoyed in a group. It’s ultimately epic and stadium-ready as well, that listening to this by yourself almost feels sacrilegious. Even while writing this, I have the dance routine flashing in my head and am deeply upset that I am unable to do it. This song is the ultimate workout, but a fun one, at that. It could even be the song that comes on when you enter a club or, really, any public space. It’s a warm-up so to speak, that is meant to tire you out at the end of it. It’s a hell of a song, and should never, and I mean NEVER be taken off of a setlist again.
77. Best Thing I Never Had (4)
Beyoncé - Best Thing I Never Had (Video)
We LOVE a song that begins by simply stating karmic law — what goes around, comes back around. This is as triumphant a Beyoncé song as any. While we have been spoiled by the many many many love songs she has in her discography, this one is such an excellent kiss-off to the one who had you messed up. It’s delivered with such a cool confidence that you deserved better and that you ARE better, and oh, what a shame that person didn’t realize it when they had the chance! It’s ironically one of her happiest songs — the bliss of letting a fool go must feel good!
76. Be Alive
Be Alive (Original Song from the Motion Picture "King Richard") (94th Academy Awards Performance)
I used to jokingly call this ”the tennis song” and didn’t actually pay much attention to the track until her performance at the Oscar’s. Then, I actually sat down and listened to it. Beyoncé at this point is the queen of layered harmonies and she proves why in the first thirty seconds and expertly sprinkles them into the rest of the song as if it was song seasoning.
Bey gets a bad rap sometimes for her leaning harder into more political music, and her foray into this leads to some derogatory remarks about the music itself. Other than the fact that I think people are stupid and know nothing of the words unity or solidarity, I also don’t think they are open to listening to music that makes them think, even a little bit. I especially love this song acknowledging the Black struggle while simultaneously celebrating Black pride and collective achievement. Like, yes, this does feel good! Thank you, Beyoncé!
75. Sorry - Original Demo (Lemonade)
I know people must be rolling their eyes. Listen, I understand why this is a demo. There’s no way I think it should replace what’s currently on the album because everything worked out as God and Beyoncé planned. I do think this is a more worthwhile exploration of the themes in the song “Sorry.” The centerpoint of the song being “Big homie better hold up” instead of “I ain’t sorry” put more emphasis on the failure of that man. The monotony of it all kind of really lets the apathy shine through while still allowing the song to breathe. It’s a bit of a lamenting/mourning of what could be, while also being very clear that he isn’t just going to get away with what he’s done. I don’t know… I find it impactful and contemplative in a way the final recording isn’t. Hot take!
74. Black Parade
When she first released this song on Juneteenth 2020, I was deeply confused. I effectively ignored its existence. But when this song clicks, boy, does it click. I can’t quite identify the moment when it all turned around for me, but it could have just been something as simple as learning the lyrics. It was an absolute pleasure to be able to sing/rap along to this and have it truly apply to me. It’s a totally different experience hearing a song when you feel like an artist is actually singing to you and about you and your community. “Being Black, maybe that’s the reason why they always mad,” changed my life once I allowed it to. Because when you really think about it, the common denominator is Blackness and people will continue to foam at the mouth as Black people continue living their lives. At the end of the day, we’ll still be parading down the street in our thrones sitting high, while Motherland drips on us.
73. Rather Die Young (4)
My mother used to hate it when I sang this song. The tongue has power, she used to say. And of course, she’s right, but can we talk about how glorious it feels to sing along? It has the same unmistakable gall and gumption of I’d Rather Go Blind. I mean, how else are you supposed to sing about the suffering of loving a man? Couple that with the obsession of preserving youth, it makes the song that much more palpable. It’s a beating heart of a song that you can feel thumping in your hands. Saying all that, it is also kind of impossible to sing. I have no idea what Bey was thinking when she added it to the Renaissance World Tour setlist, but it was absolutely pleasing to listen to. It’s straightforward musically, but that doesn’t mean it’s not stellar.
72. Protector (Cowboy Carter)
When I first heard this song, I couldn’t help but to cry. Actually, everytime I listen to it I cry. Beyoncé is such a mother! It reminds me of my mother who is also such a mother! Which is probably why I cry so much every single time. Beyoncé’s voice on the song doesn’t make it any better. It’s such a beautiful ode to her daughter, Rumi, and the lyrics are perfect. I love the imagery in the song. It makes it very fitting for a lullaby. The instrumental is stripped back to allow everything else about the song to shine. It’s so gentle and loving, and simply exquisite. Everyone should have someone in their lives who feels this way about you! That’s what I pray for and hope.
71. Mood 4 Eva (The Lion King: The Gift)
Beyoncé, JAY-Z, Childish Gambino, Oumou Sangaré – MOOD 4 EVA (Official Video)
Sometimes I do ask myself if this is the greatest song of all time. This song makes me feel like I’m building generational wealth. I am no capitalist, but this is the only piece of art that made me consider being one. (This is a joke in case it wasn’t obvious.) I mean, it just makes you feel sooo luxurious and sooo Black. There’s also a fun bounce and ease to it all. Like, yes, the Carters are insanely rich and talented, but every now and then, they make you feel like you’re a part of their family. Often, that tends to be problematic, but at least this time it feels like a party that we’re invited to. Could this be, indeed, my mood forever? Well, Beyoncé sure makes it seem like it could be! Let’s make a toast to being as unbothered as Bey and Jay!
70. Riiverdance (Cowboy Carter)
When Beyoncé commands you to dance — repeatedly I might add — you dance! It’s as simple as that. As good as she is at blending genres, it’s crazy how impressive a song like this is. It’s a masterclass in production and continuing to be playful in your music. She successfully expands the meaning of “country” by acknowledging the Irish-American community, a community that has a long standing history with the black community, by blending Irish folk dance with bounce/trap music. It’s a combination that literally no one else could have pulled off. She simply turns it into a jam session and maybe makes the smartest vocal/rhythmic choices on this track.
69. Pray You Catch Me (Lemonade)
I think this song shifted everything we thought about who Beyoncé is and what she has to offer as an artist. It’s a quietly devastating and contemplative track, and although she has covered infidelity in her work before, this felt… so different. And we weren’t prepared for what was to come. It was the perfect intro to Lemonade and while it isn’t exactly a thesis statement for the work, it certainly is our entry point into the breakdown of a marriage. It’s the calm before the storm, before confrontation is an option, removing any active participation to being cheated on. At this point, it’s only intuition, it’s in her mind, so much so that she uses her prayers to hope that it escapes into the open so they’ll have something to talk about. It’s a sad gorgeous song that catapulted Beyoncé yet again into a stratosphere of her own. What a wild career shift and artistic statement.
68. Baby Boy (Dangerously in Love)
Beyoncé - Baby Boy (Video) ft. Sean Paul
With a debut album, you sometimes run the risk of some songs aging. You hope to maybe get one or two songs that stand the test of time, but a lot of times, even the most popular artists have debut work that is simply not as impressive or up to par with the rest of their career. This is certainly not true for Beyoncé’s Dangerously in Love. Over twenty years later, this song is still a hit that sticks like grits! I think I just learned last year that Beyoncé, at only 23, was talking about conceiving a BABY in a dark corner of a basement party. That’s when you know it’s real. I don’t think house parties of this magnitude really even exist anymore. But, no really. I can imagine that this still goes off at the club. It’s mesmerizing to a point where it can get dizzying to listen to. That’s the magic of Beyoncé! And oh, Sean Paul is great here too. He really adds a special sauce to the song.
67. 6 Inch (Lemonade)
This song almost feels like an anomaly on Lemonade. But it works for the overall journey we’re taking. Focusing on your career and making money and being independent after being betrayed in the worst way by your partner is still a powerful statement. This is like… the coolest song on the album too. The production is absolutely sick and The Weeknd is here too! It all just comes together to create a banger! And Beyoncé, like the genius she is, adds some nearly choral background vocals to the outro. And what’s possibly the most upsetting part of it? There’s a tiny glimmer of hope that she is creating and working like this so her man will always remember his way home. Maybe that is partially how you make a home? Hm.
66. I’m That Girl (Renaissance)
Beyoncé - I’M THAT GIRL (Official Teaser)
A revelation if there ever was one. One of Beyoncé’s most experimental songs, I’m That Girl is as boastful as Diva, just with a little elegance and luxury added to it. Beyoncé proves that she’s a scientist, nay, a technician when it comes to crafting music. There’s so many different elements and layers to this song and it’s adamant on taking its listener to new heights. There’s absolutely no way we can be on her level, but this is the closest we’ll ever get. She really is that girl and she should say it more often! I also love how she uses unAmerican as a way to describe her life. We know that she knows she’s where she is because of who she is. All the other stuff is just extra.
65. Smash Into You (I Am… Sasha Fierce)
Everytime I listen to this song, it gets better. I think people seem to want to throw away many of Beyoncé’s guitar-based ballads, but I do not know what to tell you… this song rocks! It explains that visceral feeling of wanting to collide with your partner… in all the ways. It’s such a unique way to describe wanting your lover to be a part of you and be at peace as one. The implication of the actual action of it would seem violent, but instead it’s cathartic. Once again, Beyoncé makes love sound so damn good.
64. Spirit (The Lion King: The Gift)
Beyoncé - SPIRIT (From Disney's "The Lion King" - Official Video)
If you asked me what my favorite song off of this project was four years ago, I would have probably said Spirit. At the time, it felt like the most expansive track and was honestly just a fresh breath of air. It has all the makings of an inspirational ballad. Beyoncé’s vocals are, of course, soaring and she is somehow able to raise the stakes and still have the foresight to put together a truly gorgeous bridge that is smaller yet heavenly. It’s a song that makes you want to be one with the world and with your people. It’s a call to action song, and I have no choice but to follow Beyoncé into battle. She makes you remember who you are and who you were always meant to be. Thank you for making me continue to think about opening up to the world and to our community.
63. Freakum Dress (B’Day)
Beyoncé - Freakum Dress (Video)
This song starts with a rejection of a Shakespeare quote. Can we say legendary? It’s the oft-quoted “To be or not to be” from Hamlet, spoken by the titular character himself in a famous soliloquy where he contemplates suicide. Now, why the hell is it at the beginning of a Beyoncé song about going out with her sexiest and most revealing dress on? I have no idea! Which is why the rejection of it is so funny. That NOT is loud as hell! And well, if I were to be extra and prescribe meaning to it, I would say it’s because she’s choosing not to be sad and pathetic about her man keeping her down and not treating her right. She’d rather go out and let out some steam. And we know that Beyoncé always loves to invite the gays along in her galavanting adventures. Like, this song is so GAY down. I have no idea why people like to pretend she’s just recently pandering to the black gay community when they’ve always really been a part of her musical career, ESPECIALLY with her album B’Day. Like, there’s a reason her music plays in the gay clubs ya’ll.
But anyways, back to the matter at hand. Freakum dress is an all-out proud celebration of your body and feeling good and looking right. Who can be mad at that? Now, I knew absolutely nothing about a Freakum Dress at the age of 8, thankfully, but I did know what sounded GOOD and FUN! We love odes to a night out!
62. Heaven (Beyoncé)
Definitely a standout to me when it comes to Beyoncé’s discography. Other than Sandcastles, this might be Beyoncé at her most emotionally bare and stripped down. There’s not much going on musically. There’s a backbeat and a piano that carries the song, and Bey moves forward with her rolling vocals. The song builds very slowly, and once we get to one of the final choruses and Beyoncé rings out those nos, you can feel a guttural expression of grief and pain. It’s freeing and relieving, I'm sure, to be able to place all of that somewhere, even if it’s out into the world. Music can heal.
61. Already (The Lion King: The Gift)
Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, Major Lazer – ALREADY (Official Video)
Beyoncé begins this song by tearing up those scales, so I knew we were in for a treat. When you come out the gate like that, you know you’re about to hear something serious. Then, a full-fledged afrobeats track explodes onto the scene. I was immediately on-board. To the untrained ear, it’s just a repetitive song, but to me, it’s an anthem. It almost has a biblical sense of purpose and power. Like, we already know we’re royalty. It’s already been decreed and declared! We’re just returning to our form.
60. Daddy Lessons (Lemonade)
I know she says Texas in the beginning but this is New Orleans DOWN. Very antebellum South. I feel like I’m swaying down by the bayou every time I listen to this song. I love the alluring bounce this song has and how the guitar (or banjo??) makes up the beat. Her little wail or call in between verses is the cherry on top of the pralines n’ cream sundae. It feels like church and ritual and everything in between. It’s such a stand-out on Lemonade, as we try to understand and reckon with our past in hopes it can explain our present. The bridge brings it back and really explicates the role our dads play in our lives and subsequent relationships. Maybe we shouldn’t marry our fathers! Much to think about.
59. Haunted (Beyoncé)
Beyoncé - Haunted (Official Video)
Experimental Yoncé is my favorite Yoncé. And honestly, based on what we’ve gotten from her in the past decade, she is definitely going to follow in that path until she stops making music. There are maximalist and minimalist elements that combine to create a perfect storm of dark and gritty dance-pop. To this day, I wish this was the opening track on her self-titled album. Imagine the statement that would make! I know the first part of this song is technically Ghost, but I consider it one song (mostly because it’s easier and more reasonable) but I think they compliment each other very well. Although there are a lot of tracks on the album that explore sexuality, this in particular feels the most sensual and erotic. Glad she explored this part of her artistry!
58. Sweet Honey Buckin’ (Cowboy Carter)
You see… I love that it took me so long to release this edition. Because it means I got to sit with a lot of the Cowboy Carter songs for a longer time. And it helps me better explain my relationship to these songs. And well, this song is indeed three songs in one! Buckin’ is obviously my favorite part of the song, but my sister has put me on to how lovely Honey is on its own! I didn’t pay much attention to it before because immediately after, Buckin’ starts and alone, becomes one of the most exciting musical sections of the album. How many times have YOU said “Look at that horse, look at that horse, look at that horse?” I bet the answer is plenty! Back when Everything is Love was released, I joked that Beyoncé was my favorite rapper. Between this and Spaghettii, she just might be! I used to not care for the Sweet section of the song, but that’s because there’s a lot going on and it took me a while to really get into all of its intricacies in the vocal production alone! Sweet is actually incredible! See how things might need to grow on you? Act I was Pure/Honey and this was Act 2. I wonder what Act 3 will have to offer!
57. Me, Myself and I (Dangerously in Love)
Beyoncé - Me, Myself and I (Video Version)
I was conflicted on where to place this song. Every time it comes on, it’s almost like it’s my favorite song ever made. I sing it like I am Beyoncé and a trifling man did, in fact, do me wrong. The rolling melody of the verses makes it essential to sing along to and it’s a nice reminder every now and then that you are the only person you can count on. It’s a trope that’s been done again and again, but Beyoncé sings it so classically, that it sounds refreshing every time you listen. It almost takes over your body and once you get to the oh’s, it qualifies as a complete anthem, even if you cannot relate to the lyrics. There’s something poetic about her including this in the Homecoming performance in the midst of Sorry. Like, it makes so much sense as a reinforcement to the first half of Lemonade.
56. No Angel (Beyoncé)
I’m sure that this song threw everyone off when they first heard it. It’s giving a little bit of the Ego bridge, for those intellectuals who know what I am referring to. But I like when artists make choices that are kind of off-kilter or strange or unexpected. I think it really makes the song pop. Beyoncé doesn’t normally deliver an airy vocal and it somehow makes the chorus hit even harder than if she sang it straight the entire time. It paints a not so picturesque but honest portrait of a relationship that has a delicacy to it, but also a rough and tough exterior. It’s no mistake that she uses the visual to showcase the city of Houston.
55. All Up In Your Mind (Renaissance)
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t understand the hype for this song. And neither did Beyoncé clearly, since she left it off the set list for the majority of the shows on the Renaissance World Tour. I just don’t think I quite understood it musically. Like I don’t know what it is. And that’s okay! I don’t need to… It definitely has a hyper-pop and alternative twist to it, with some house/electronic elements. The deep bass at the beginning is something I am still desperate to hear in a club setting, because I just know it’s going to hit. It is different than the other songs on Renaissance because it kind of exists in a vacuum and almost sounds like it too! For a track on Renaissance, it’s very contained. In other words, there’s restraint to it, which almost makes it sexier and more seductive. It eventually has its own drive built into it. Overall, I guess I’m saying the party feels a little limited on this one, which gives a dirty underground rough edge to it. These are all positive things! I enjoy it immensely.
54. BIGGER (The Lion King: The Gift)
"Spirit" + "Bigger" Extended cut from Disney's The Lion King in theaters now (Official ...
The opening line just might be Beyoncé’s best lyric. This song is able to speak life into little ones and elders alike. It reveals the very connective tissue of what defines us and what brings us together. Beyoncé recognizes the bigger picture without losing sight of who she is. And she extends us the very same grace without ignoring life’s hardships and disappointments. The song is tame for the most part, but we are dealing with Beyoncé here. She knows how to elevate her music, so we get an absolutely insane bridge that flows into the final chorus. She loves her an Arabic scale, that’s for sure! This is probably her most successful song at being incredibly cinematic while also holding power in being genuinely encouraging and revitalizing.
53. Resentment (B’Day)
It’s hard to believe that this is… technically a cover? I haven’t bothered to listen to the original, and I’m aware Beyoncé changed up a lot of the lyrics. It has really become a cultural phenomenon when it comes to live Beyoncé shows. I love the beginning where we can hear the writing on paper. It makes the whole thing feel like a letter, which makes sense. How can you even face your partner, and I mean truly face your partner with bare honesty, after he’s done something so horrible to you? I love that the song takes place in the aftermath of the confession and after she’s still chosen to stay with him. There is a grieving process after being cheated on. It’s really awful to hear how much pain Beyoncé sounds like she’s in. The accompanying lyrics are astounding and earth-shattering. She sounds so… broken. I don’t know how anyone can even live with themselves if this song was directed at them. And she’s clearly had some fun with the live renditions, which is an extremely hard task for such a depressing song.
52. Sweet Dreams (I Am… Sasha Fierce)
The fakeout of this song at the Renaissance World Tour was actually so cruel. Like, how dare she?! No one needed to hear Alien Superstar set to the tune of Sweet Dreams. She could have even done Sweet Dreams to the tune of Alien Superstar. I thought you were innovative, miss Yoncé! Anyways, this is one of the songs that really stood the test of time. As dedicated fans started to look down on I Am… Sasha Fierce as the years flew by, Sweet Dreams was never in danger of being slandered. This song is loved by stans and the general public alike. It’s simply crowd-pleasing pop perfection. There’s a bit of cotton candy and bubblegum to it, but Beyoncé’s forceful vocals juxtaposed against her angelic vocals, along with the drive in the production, brings a lot of edge to it. I have no complaints!
51. Hello (I Am…Sasha Fierce)
Renee Rapp, I see you girl! No, really. This song is amazing. Maybe there’s a certain age group that just grew up on I Am… Sasha Fierce that feel incredibly nostalgic toward it. I still remember the first time I saw the intimate performance at Wynn Las Vegas and she opened with this song. I was immediately taken and enchanted by her and how she introduced herself to the audience. The song itself just feels so welcoming, probably due to its lilting melody and Beyoncé’s bright vocal delivery. Love at first sight doesn’t really work for me, but Bey is a genius at conveying love through music.
50. Find Your Way Back (The Lion King: The Gift)
Revelatory. She takes over the afropop genre with this track and the stunning visuals from Black is King. It’s a whole jam and a half that has a glorious narrative attached to it. There’s a strange peace and agency that this song employs that reminds you that you’ve got everything you need. I even like the tinge of autotune she uses in the final chorus. It’s really effective. She’s a mastermind when it comes to vocal effects and layering, and this song is an exemplar of that.
49. Ego (I Am…Sasha Fierce)
Well, in retrospect, I was certainly too young to be listening to this song lol. Beyoncé, you naughty girl, you! I genuinely thought this was about a man’s actual ego! You had the radio playing “It’s too big, it’s too wide, it’s too strong, it won’t fit…” I mean, come on. But, it’s honestly whatever because this is undeniably a certified banger. It’s really one of the main reasons I continue to be an I Am… Sasha Fierce apologist. There’s something so Vegas showgirl and proper diva performer about this song in particular. I get why Diva remains a tour staple, but this song has absolutely been overlooked. The piano section is absolutely killer. Actually everything from there going into the outro is pure unadulterated excellence. She is really good at this y’all.
48. Start Over (4)
There is just something about a song that sounds like it can be lifted right from a film. Sometimes, in a relationship, you need to return back to basics, especially when it’s not working and hasn’t been for awhile. Beyoncé sings desperately to her partner to find a way to rejuvenate the relationship so it doesn’t end. And she admits that taking this step doesn’t mean it won’t hurt, but it will give their love a new chance at shining again. This is a great song for anyone who dreams of reinventing themselves to revive a relationship that’s worth saving. I think it’s an absolutely gorgeous song and one of her best ballads.
47. America Has A Problem (Renaissance)
As soon as I saw the footage of what I believe was from the 80’s, of people dancing in the clubs set to this track, it all clicked for me. It was never high on my Renaissance ranking, but let’s remember that all of Renaissance is so very excellent. When the tracklist was first revealed, everyone thought it was going to be some grandiose political statement. Little did we know that Beyoncé was the problem all along! The song just works and gets you hype and ready to dance your ass off, in a way that really doesn’t exist in modern music anymore. I love that club footage, but actually my favorite thing I’ve seen using this song is the wedding scene from Wolf of Wall Street. The 80’s, man! There’s something about this song that brings back the most bombastic energy from that time period.
46. II Hands II Heaven (Cowboy Carter)
Everyone likes this song more than I do. And it still makes my top 50, so you already know that it’s amazing. It’s nearly six minutes of Beyoncé delivering a sweet serenade that becomes a whole epic poem of its own. It’s a testament to “carrying on” or choosing life. Lyrically, it’s one of Beyoncé’s best and I love how soothing and unassuming the production is. The bridge is simply otherworldly and somehow created its very own TikTok trend in an organic manner. There’s no moment where it officially picks up. It stays slow and steady and finishes with style. And it’s onto the next!
45. Lay Up Under Me
I fear that this was Cuff It before Cuff It. This song is just disco dancefloor ready. I have my sister to thank for making me listen to this song nonstop growing up. The advantages of sharing a room! And if I may announce this, it’s still a hit, “Your Honor!” Beyoncé has never been afraid of a bridge, but she eats this one up for breakfast, lunch and dinner! It’s just so luxurious, joyous and fun — a welcome recurring theme in many of Beyoncé’s best love songs. And this remains one of her best even if it’s not on streaming!
44. Partition (Beyoncé)
Beyoncé - Partition (Explicit Video)
Arguably Beyoncé’s most vulgar/sexy song, mostly because of the iconic/controversial line “He Monica Lewinsky’d all on my gown.” I’m more scandalized by the image of Jay that Bey forced into our collective minds, but that’s something to unpack with a therapist. I want to describe this song as “so French” and I think I’ll do just that. It’s so French. And that’s honestly one of the reasons why it’s so memorable. It carries a glittery transformative underground feeling that instantly makes it a standout cultural moment. There is also a lot of movement and development within the song as we follow Bey and Jay’s car escapades. It feels like a different story structure than most Beyoncé songs as this one is mostly directly linear with chronologically related verses. Just an interesting thing I noticed!
43. Get Me Bodied - Extended Mix (B’Day)
Is it bad that this song is the sole reason I know Bey’s birthday? She drilled it into my head! I fear I would otherwise have forgotten, especially as a child. Beyoncé gave me unrealistic experiences of clubbing and exercise and dancing and generally having fun. Granted, I’ve never been to a club, I’m just of that era, I guess, but I thought clubs were just dance parties. And that sweat is acceptable in these places, as how are you going to dance and not sweat! Perhaps the problem is we actually need Beyoncé to lead the way, especially when it comes to choreography. It’s B’Day so she’s obviously screaming on the track, and so are random men providing the Hey’s and other various sounds, as we do recreate the environment of men hyping up a woman, also something I am not sure happens in real life.
The most important thing I have to mention is I have a vibrant memory of dancing to this song during a fourth grade birthday party. It’s why the extended mix is very serious to me. I couldn’t dance but I certainly loved this song and felt like having fun in a house full of girls. And I did! It’s such a positive memory that I will always have because of this song. And I, for sure, had the strongest Naomi Campbell walk if you were wondering!
42. Grown Woman (Beyoncé)
Beyoncé - Grown Woman (Bonus Video)
Beyoncé knew I was never going to forgive her if she didn’t finally put this song on Spotify. Thank God she actually listens to me! (Haha if only). We already know that Beyoncé is a gifted genre bender and mixer. I love the tinges of Bhangra, afrobeats, and electro-pop in this song. She was making music no one else has even thought of making, definitely in direct opposition to what was currently popping off on radio. And that’s why this song is such a bop. It doesn’t take itself too seriously while also being musically intricate and unpredictable. This was certified diamond in my household and on my Youtube!
41. Freedom (Lemonade)
I am forever irritated that Beyoncé let Kamala Harris use this for her campaign, as the American government is who we need freedom FROM, but I digress. This is what I call a protest song! It’s equally motivational and badass. It really is a song meant for revolution, and taking action against oppression and institutional violence. The line “call me bulletproof” sticks out to me til this day. “Runnin’ blind in truth,” also gets me and sort of centers me in any conversation about political action. At the end of the day, activists are truth seekers, as truth is what leads us to love and justice and vice versa. But that doesn’t mean it won’t be a difficult road ahead of us… its no mistake that Beyoncé includes the voice of Jay Z’s grandmother saying she was served lemons and made lemonade at the end of this track.
40. Dangerously In Love (Dangerously in Love)
It was the shock of the world when I found out she was opening the Renaissance World Tour with this song. I mean, well-deserved, but still I didn’t expect it! If I had to choose ten songs to describe as “defining” for Beyoncé’s career, this would be one of them. It is mostly a straightforward love song, in terms of meeting and being with the love of your life, but Beyoncé sings it with such emotional conviction, I feel like I’m listening to someone give their vows. Like, what an absolute declaration of love and the dangerous part is really how intense it all is. I love how much of a vocal showcase she’s made it ever since the release. Excellence.
39. Jealous (Beyoncé)
Jealous just might be the pre-cursor to the trifecta of Hold Up, Don’t Hurt Yourself and Sorry. It definitely packs a similar punch when it comes to the complexity of emotions present. Yes, she’s jealous of the other women that seem to be in her man’s life, but she is also jealous of the freedom he has to move the way he does and jealous that he isn’t seemingly in the same pain she’s in. It’s obviously not fair and when she tries to return the favor, it’s not lost on her how different it all feels. This song is even more poignant in relation to Hold Up where she declares it’s better to look crazy rather than jealous, because jealousy insinuates that she’s being walked all over. Well, maybe that is the case here and maybe that’s why this song doesn’t quite have a musical resolution. It ends suddenly and we’re meant to deal with the aftermath of it all.
38. Be With You (Dangerously in Love)
This is a perfect r&b track. The interpolations of past funk and soul songs don’t hinder the song from having its own identity. If anything, it makes the song feel more authentic and gives it more breath and life. I don’t know whether this is considered a “deep cut” at this point because I’ve always just considered it to be a certified classic in her discography. It’s shimmery and glamorous and elegant and sexy and so so so so good. And most importantly, it makes you FEEL good. I think we’re totally in a slow jam drought at the moment because no one can make it sound as good as Beyoncé can.
37. 1+1 (4)
Beyoncé knows how to do many things exquisitely, but one of the things I have always appreciated, is the way she writes and sings melodies in her slower love songs. 1+1 became instantly iconic because of her choice to flip to falsetto on all the yous. How ingenious. And then the repetition of the word ‘me’ in the chorus also makes the song feel that much more intimate. She really understands the urgency and grit that make up the best love songs. Then we get the guitar solo of a lifetime which makes the track soar. By the end of the song, I’ve almost forgotten that she pronounces algebra as “algeba” for no discernible reason!
36. Amen (Cowboy Carter)
A perfect epilogue to the album. Beyoncé successfully revealed the dichotomy of this country and her role in it all. More importantly, she clarifies how to move forward after acknowledging history, tradition and substituting it for something better. That’s her prayer, at least. Gorgeous and transformative, which might explain the complete transition that we get at the end of the song. The future is Beyoncé.
35. Cozy (Renaissance)
This used to be my favorite song off of Renaissance. It just feels like a song you could endlessly twirl to. Thanks to fun social media trends, this song has taken on a life of its own but I just wanted to say I was already here, before the tour, literally on first listen. I was like, this is the one. I hate how easy this is for her. It’s a sexy ‘love yourself’ anthem and somehow manages to use the word “swaggy” in an uncringy way. It’s actually probably one of the simpler songs off of Renaissance which makes it one of the most consistent to listen to. Very uplifting and instantly changes my mood. One of the smartest things Bey has ever done is include the T.S. Madison bit into the song. Phenomenal. And then she starts naming the colors of the rainbow and beyond… she said, “BE WHO YOU ARE FOR YOUR PRIDE!” One day I will be cozy with who I am! And I’ll have Beyoncé to thank for that.
34. Naughty Girl (Dangerously In Love)
When Beyoncé broke into this bad boy on the Renaissance World Tour, I rejoiced. I never thought it was going to happen. Hell, I saw the show twice and was still surprised when Virgo’s Groove transitioned into Naughty Girl. In the Baby Boy entry, I mentioned how Beyoncé’s debut album still has some of her best work. The single choices really knocked it out of the park. We have an unforgettable Donna Summer sample to thank for setting the tone, but Beyoncé is absolutely hypnotic as she slides and slithers all over the track. She knows exactly what she’s doing too. The song naturally has highs and lows and she uses every edge of her range, tone and phrasing to create one of the most pleasing listening experiences in modern pop music.
33. Green Light (B’Day)
I am no B’Day truther. In fact, I think Beyoncé has grown far beyond the sound and lyrics of really anything on B’Day. This does not mean I don’t understand a banger, when I hear one. Au contraire, my darling. This is definitely one of her best. I think the central metaphor is actually a whole lot of fun and it has the general vibe of waving a huge checkered flag at a NASCAR race. My favorite parts of the song is where she sings on top of the repeated “gos” and then ends the sequence with an impossible run. It’s just an absolute epic song that never lets up, not once. I really think, like so many of her songs, it needs to find its way on a setlist. Officially.
32. Pure/Honey (Renaissance)
The gayest song Beyoncé has ever made. This song never had to grow on me, and yet, it continues to shoot up my Renaissance ranking. I think mostly because it effortlessly embodies the album. It’s an exquisite escape record that feels truly free. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve repeated the outro to myself. It’s yet another timeless classic from Bey that honors a liberated version of yourself. Honey Bey just gets it.
31. Schoolin’ Life (4)
Thirteen years ago, I might have said this is the greatest song of all time. I even dreamed up an entire X Factor USA performance for her. Like, this song was very serious for me. Although I personally did need a degree, because I would say I am pretty bad at schooling life, this is the perfect song for Beyoncé because her talent and artistry really gave her a cheat code to this thing we call life. She’s literally Beyoncé. This song was made to be performed and I would be so GAGGED if she brought this out on her next tour. It’s flashy, energetic and easy to sing-along to. Perfect for concerts! And I love how she lays down landmarks based on age and attitude. It makes me feel like there’s something to look forward to after all.
30. Daughter (Cowboy Carter)
Every now and then, you have a listening experience that is truly unlike anything you’ve heard before. Daughter surpassed any and all expectations I would have had for a Beyoncé song. There are elements of true crime, spaghetti western and Roman Catholicism. It was almost written as if we were in the mind of an anti-hero just after the climactic moment of a mob film. It’s absolutely cinematic and brilliant in the best of ways and I love the intriguing shadows it creates that ripple throughout the rest of the album. It’s definitely the darkest song on Cowboy Carter and probably the darkest of her entire career. Having murder on your mind has never sounded so good.
29. MY HOUSE
There I was, sitting in the theater, life fully changed after watching Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé. I mean, I was absolutely floored by what I had just seen. I couldn’t even start my Letterboxd review which I am known to do with the quickness after watching a film. But then this loudass song began and I was like “…what is happening?” I looked around to see if anyone else was hearing what I was hearing. Like, I didn't know if I was about to embarrass myself by getting out of my seat and jamming out. It sounded so bombastic and in your face and so all-encompassing of what Beyonce’s “house” would actually sound and feel like! It is unlike any other song I have ever heard in my life and instantly became one of my favorites by Beyoncé for its harshness and brashness. Who cares if the rest of the world didn’t catch on? The important thing is that I did!
28. Mine (Beyoncé)
Beyoncé - Mine (Video) ft. Drake
Bey has always presented herself with such strength and assuredness, particularly onstage, and the uncertainty exhibited here is almost haunting. It of course leads us to a declaration of ownership and belonging, but we needed the lack of faith and understanding to get us there. We may not have an actual definition to this relationship, but we at least have a center to come back to. Even Drake adds to the song, as having the male voice is actually quite essential. We have both sides, contributing to what could be the breakdown of the union, and yet they’re able to recommit to each other, or at least restate their beliefs to one another that they were made for each other. A beautifully made song.
27. Sandcastles (Lemonade)
A simple piano ballad, Sandcastles is probably Beyoncé at her most honest and vulnerable. I love that the opening lyric is a metaphor, giving us the title of the song, but most of the other song is very literal. It makes sense to reference this grand, celestial love as something so fragile as a sandcastle, that can be easily washed away. Sandcastles are built with such joy and determination among children and families and take a lot of effort and time. But at the end of the day, it’s a structure that was not meant to last. Maybe it was meant to wash away after all. And that way, you can start over.
Beyoncé’s voice crack in the second verse is the rawest thing I’ve heard on a mixed and mastered final track. I’m not even sure how you would produce such a sound in the studio. She did it and she kept it in. What a brave thing to do. And it wouldn’t be a Beyoncé song if she didn’t hit us with those harmonies, at the final hour. A gorgeous gorgeous song. Thank you, Beyoncé, for giving us your heart.
26. Broken-Hearted Girl (I Am… Sasha Fierce)
Beyoncé - Broken-Hearted Girl (Video)
This was once my favorite Beyoncé song over a decade ago. You know I love a ballad DOWN. And this is just as good as any. It is slightly unfortunate that I find the piano a bit grating and the production that arrives in the second chorus of the song a bit cringy. But it was the 2000’s, so I can’t really fault it since I thought it sounded amazing when it came out! Either way, I love the storytelling and yes, the helplessness on this song. There’s joy, there’s pain, there’s confusion, there’s frustration… I mean, this song has everything! There’s also like genuine development and change over the course of the song, which is really unique and exciting. If it wasn’t so pop, it wouldn’t be that out of place as a musical theater performance. And maybe that’s why I fell in love with the song in the first place.
25. Heated (Renaissance)
An instant fan favorite. Heated is just a special song. That beat hits immediately and makes you want to dip and wine. You’re no longer in control of your hips when this song comes out. It has elements of afrobeats and dancehall and possibly some of her best lyrics featured on Renaissance. It definitely contains more quotables than I can count on my hands. The ending rap changed my life and really shifted something in the culture, in general. I literally practiced the fan movements to this song for over an hour before attending the tour (just to leave my fan at home, but that’s beside the point). Only Beyoncé can do something totally different and make it seem cool and timeless and lively. This wouldn’t work for a lot of other artists, but for some reason it works for Beyoncé. That is the miracle of her artistry, and the miracle of this song. She just gets it.
24. Tyrant (Cowboy Carter)
This very quickly became one of my favorite Beyoncé songs. I hate to say this, I hope I don’t sound ridiculous, but it really does have a bit of Lil Nas X, in this particular combination of country and trap. The beginning of the song is full of so much dive bar square dancing energy that blasts through your speakers in the best of ways. Then the true beat drops and there is no turning back. Now we’re fully riding the bull in slow motion, kicking asses and taking names. I feel like I could now walk into any saloon, arm wrestle the strongest man, challenge the sheriff and do it all in style. Like, come on. Finally, I was elated to see the blackbiird gals on the background vocals. They sound soooo good, like, in my opinion, the best use of background vocals on the album!
23. Hold Up (Lemonade)
A reggae track that really gets us into the nitty gritty of Lemonade. Beyoncé is surprisingly playful on this song. She talk-sings and drawls in disgust over the verses, while the chorus has a simplified melody so everyone can sing along. Because the chorus is so very solid and really good at maintaining the central point of the song “how dare you do this to me — I am the best it gets for you,” the song can really go in so many different directions, and it does! Beyoncé literally goes high and low (and her lows are sooo gratifying). There’s a level of blissful insanity, accompanied by the video, that perfectly encapsulates the vibe of the song, yet remains deeply disturbing. We’re in the denial stage, girlies!
22. XO (Beyoncé)
I’ve said it more times than anyone has wanted me to, but Beyoncé might be the best ever, (in general) but especially when it comes to love songs. She’s really able to nail down the euphoric feeling of spending time with your loved one. There’s an urgency and a sadness in it, but overall, the overwhelming feeling is elation. This one also has some tunnel vision in it — she only sees her beau. The carnival visual directly matches the feel of the song. It’s as fleeting of a song as it is a celebration of the vibrancy of love and affection. It makes love this aspirational ideal, as it should be! Love can indeed shut out the rest of the nonsense!
21. Crazy In Love (Dangerously In Love)
Beyoncé - Crazy In Love ft. JAY Z
“You ready?” No, Beyoncé. No. We literally weren’t and still aren’t. This is just lightning in a bottle. Beyoncé always set herself apart in Destiny’s Child and this record was just as big as she was. It’s VERY rare when an artist’s talents and potential directly match the quality of the song. The Jay-Z feature just stamped the seal on it all. Introducing Beyoncé as a solo artist with all the fanfare is a moment you can’t recreate. We’ve got an iconic look, iconic choreography, and of course, a legendary bridge. I really do think good bridges create stars. This is one example of many in pop music. And yes, I know technically that this wasn’t her debut song, Work It Out was, but hey, we rewrite history to fit the narrative! And, I don’t know a better debut song.
20. Cuff It (Renaissance)
You know that a song is excellent when you recognize that it will become an instantaneous cookout staple. It just has that immediate groove that makes you want to have a good time. Every section of this song is perfect. I wouldn’t change anything about it. The Wetter Remix is, of course, great, but this one will always be the quintessential Cuff It. The horns make it quite literally feel that we are levitating or taking off. I could only imagine how legendary this would be during a pregame/before going out with the homies and girlies. It must feel great when you decree and declare that you’re going to take over the night. Stellar, stellar, stellar — one of Beyoncé’s best. A bonafide classic, actually,
19. Scared of Lonely (I Am… Sasha Fierce)
As someone who’s been perpetually lonely since childhood, I’m so glad that this song has stood the test of time for me. It’s one of her more straightforward tracks in terms of content, but has pretty intricate production for this stage of her career, especially on this album where much of the pop production has unfortunately aged like milk. But this one keeps its intrigue. The strings go crazy on this one and I think a live orchestral performance would actually take my breath away. The bridge is immaculate and timeless. Now that I think about it, it totally makes sense that Solange appeared with a writing credit on this one.
18. 16 Carriages (Cowboy Carter)
When this song first came out, I immediately put it on repeat. I was entranced and couldn’t focus on anything else but its glorious sound. I love how the melody and the instrumental actually carry on like horse carriages as they trot along the street. I love her vocal delivery. I love the lyrics.There’s a sense of determination coupled with melancholy. It’s not a regretful song. It still ultimately is a very triumphant song of the sacrifices one makes as an artist to do what they love at the highest level. There’s a lamenting factor to it and it’s undeniably human, and of course, reflective, but still all about moving forward. I believe it’s one of her best ballads yet. It’s so specific but also has some fictional elements, as has been normalized in her music. Legacy is the main point of the song. “Still see your faces when you close your eyes” can sometimes bring me to tears.
17. Just for Fun (Cowboy Carter)
There’s something about this song that just fills me with a sense of renewal, hope and optimism. It’s a mellow track but it is also unapologetic and stays pretty reined in for the most part. There’s a spectacular level of restraint musically in this one. Perhaps it’s meant to match the tone of a song that’s about strength, resilience and survival. That’s what makes it so beautiful to me. It more or less also feels representative of the black struggle and the movement towards something better. It is also quite representative of me and my own personal struggle. When Beyoncé says “I don’t need anything,” it gives off the same energy as the ending flip of “Nothing matters” in the film, Everything Everywhere All At Once. A gorgeous song that encourages healing and putting yourself out there.
16. Summer Renaissance (Renaissance)
What a perfect final track for an album like Renaissance. We’re still partying on our way out! All of the production on this record feels so sleek and complex, but the Donna Summer of it all really makes this album feel like it’s ending on the highest of notes. We’re not really slowing down, we’re ascending to greater heights, like Beyoncé did in her own rendition of Goofy Goober at the Renaissance World Tour. It is, actually, kind of trance-like in a way that’s comforting and not alarming. The outro with the rhythmic clapping also gives the illusion that the groove is going to continue for a long time. And it did. Renaissance can, of course, be played over and over again in succession, but the replay value in general is insane. You always find yourself playing the album all the way through. Because you’ll know you’ll get back to this moment and experience genuine euphoria again.
15. Love on Top (4)
Songs like this are stories that people can identify with. Quite literally the definition of weddings, graduations, funerals. I don’t want to remember where I was when I realized this song was lowkey sad. The elation she is feeling is after a long period of pain and suffering. But I guess it’s what they say about the rainbow coming after the rain. You don’t know good times until you know bad times, etc. etc. I think it’s definitely become a defining song in music history. Even just thinking about Beyoncé and the modulations at the end can make anyone lose their breath or their mind. The point is really that this song brings many generations together. Who needs division when you have this song and you are all singing for your lives? I’ve constantly spoken about how Beyoncé sings with so much conviction. Well, we now know how hard it is to match her freak when it comes to this singing shit.
14. Bodyguard (Cowboy Carter)
I never thought she would outdo Love On Top, but here we are! Beyoncé, we could have had another hit on our hands if you cared even a little bit. This could have also been your Espresso! The vibes are immaculate. It’s effortlessly cool, catchy and adoring. It is one of three songs off of Cowboy Carter I have already referred to as the greatest song of all time. I think even though in love on top, he “finally” put her first, this feels more like true devotion and dedication to your partner. And it doesn’t read as an obsession, it just means that you’re in love enough that you would do anything to protect them and what you have. And if you haven’t noticed, I love a guitar solo and the one we get here is oh so magical.
13. Don’t Hurt Yourself (Lemonade)
History was made. Starting a song off with “Who the f*ck do you think I am?” is the most gangsta sh!t Beyoncé has ever done. When people talk about female rage in music and film, they conveniently leave this song out. But it’s kind of the best example I’ve seen in modern media. Maybe we all should generally stay in the anger stage of grief more often. I love how this is essentially Beyoncé’s roar. It’s righteous anger but also self actualization. She knows who she is and as he is an extension of her, everything done unto her is done to him. So, the joke’s on you, playa!
And the hellfire is also all-consuming as well. And she’s the one giving it to him. Her throwing her ring off in the visual is etched into my brain as an image that defines our time. I know that we’re not supposed to stop on this song, as Lemonade is ultimately a raucous healing journey, but my god, I don’t know how she even got past this. It’s a perfect example of artistic expression in a very pure form. And it’s okay if in that purity, there is fire to burn it all down. Although I kind of wished she did burn it down, I can see that it was not sustainable for her. But man, for these four-minutes, it’s sustainable enough for me to put it on repeat. The cymbals crash out in the end, but rage lives on.
12. Deja Vu (B’Day)
Beyoncé - Deja Vu (MTV Video Version) ft. Jay-Z
When Beyoncé said bass, my world was changed forever. And then she said Hi-Hat and my life was changed again. She’s good like that. Listen, I’ll keep it simple. This song is really really good and there’s a reason why all of these years later, people still clamor for it. Not only did it feel like an apt follow-up to Crazy in Love, continuing a thematic thread of losing your mind over your partner, but it is the best Beyoncé has to offer in terms of groove, brassiness and a killer bridge. For a minute there, I thought Jay gagged her because his assist almost outshined her. Like, he came in so smooth with it and really elevated the song. I was worried for her but then she was able to control it with one of the best bridges in pop music. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you this song is overrated. They’re out of their minds.
11. Check On It (B’Day)
Beyoncé - Check On It (Video) ft. Bun B, Slim Thug
The greatest song of all time rumors are true! For some reason, Beyoncé hates this song, but still knew to have enough sense to include it in her Homecoming performance. I’m glad Blue Ivy talked some sense into her. Because despite her dislike of it, it is so clearly one of her best tracks. Whenever I see a clip of one of the few times she performed it, it’s always just the perfect amount of cunt and camp. And that’s why the song works as well. It really manages to highlight the best of Beyoncé. She’s very coy and playful, and well, the song is a mouthful! Only the brave ones can master it, I fear. There’s a bit of untouchable glamour, underground gay club fierceness and unmistakable homegirl attitude. It’s really all of Beyonce’s personalities colliding to make one of the most engaging songs of her career.
Honorable Mention
Formation (Lemonade)
Beyoncé - Formation (Official Video)
Rightfully one of her most recognizable and iconic songs. A tour staple. Absolutely. I hope that she knows that she can never take it off the setlist. Immediately recognizable upon hearing the first measure, Formation has some of Beyoncé’s best lyrical zingers and is unapologetically Black. Many things have already been written about this and I don’t really have much to add to the zeitgeist. She just slays! All day, in fact. I’m not sure if I ever officially got in formation, but there’s no doubt she’s been in formation ever since!
Upgrade U (B’Day)
Beyoncé - Upgrade U (Video) ft. Jay-Z
As soon as I heard “Yeah Bey… talk yo sh!t,” I knew we were going to be in for a good time. I was eight years old, so you know that I was wise beyond my years! It's songs like this where I temporarily understand why people still have B’Day as their favorite Beyoncé album. It’s the nostalgia and immaculate vibes that tracks like these give you. The bridge on this song is one of her best, particularly because of the backing vocals she adds. Simple but effective! I’ll be the first to admit that this is a fairly cute song and is maybe the biggest case to make for Jayoncé. Jay is very much a strong feature here because they are actually, shockingly, on the same level at this point. I even grin a little when he says “ How you gon’ upgrade me, what’s higher than number one?” There’s a glorious confidence and swagger that each of them bring to the song and to each other that works very well. Not to mention Beyoncé came up with the most gag-worthy lyric ever: “I can do for you what Martin did for the people.” Well, yes! She can and she did!
Plastic off the Sofa (Renaissance)
It’s actually so crazy how easy it is for Beyoncé to do a vocal showcase. It’s second nature to her but I cannot understate just how gagged I was when I first heard this for the first time. I am always really interested in listening to vocal coaches talking about her placement on this song. It is extremely light, airy and just very pretty. Her voice is so clear and lyrically, it’s a well-constructed song about loving how your partner opens up around you. Refreshing and an automatic stand-out from Renaissance. And if you’re wondering, she performed it live on the Renaissance World Tour from a seashell! Almost as if it was easy for her!
Party (4)
Although I particularly don’t like to party, I do enjoy getting down to this song! I was pretty young when it came out and now I feel a little too old to enjoy it. But if I were to ignore my age for a little while, I would say something to the effect of this being a summer cookout classic. It feels like a celebration of love, youth, happiness and the carefree attitude that comes with summer vacation. I wouldn’t sit here and call it a masterpiece or anything, but it is certainly going to stand the test of time. It already sounds like a Generation X throwback that you’d hear every now and then with of course some curious interjections by Kanye West. Anyone who has taste knows that the album version is miles better than the video version. Andre 3000 just makes the most sense on the song and his verse is a lot of fun. Ultimately, this is a banger of a song to bump while hanging out with your friends. You can dance to it, or just lay back and chill. The vibes were vibin’ on this one!
Otherside (The Lion King: The Gift)
Beyoncé – OTHERSIDE (Official Video)
If we love anything, we love a piano that runs like a river. And that’s exactly how this song begins. Bey begins soft and gentle to match the heavenly, transformative instrumental. She continues this soft and gentle delivery throughout the song. It feels so earthly and void of any extra bells and whistles. It’s simple. It’s moving. It’s everything. I overlooked this song when I experienced Black is King for the first time. But when I revisited it, I couldn’t ignore it any longer. It’s absolutely phenomenal.
Blue (Beyoncé)
Beyoncé - Blue (Video) ft. Blue Ivy
In 12 years, Blue Ivy Carter has probably become more iconic than her parents. Clearly Beyoncé knew that she was destined for greatness. Every public move that we’ve seen in her parenting of Blue without a doubt shows that. The tongue has power and Beyoncé has spoken life and blessings and favor into that young lady’s life. It’s evident in the way she walks and talks. And I think it all goes back to this song, featuring no one other than Blue Ivy herself. Blue had already received a Guiness Book of World Record for being the youngest person to have charted a song on any Billboard chart. This was of course for the song, Glory by Jay-Z, which was released when she was only two days old, and presumably, charted a week later. Beyoncé, in turn, recorded this song for her self-titled album, surprise-released at the end of 2013 and this song would eventually be certified gold.
You’ve already heard me say plenty of times on this list how a specific song is personal to Bey, but this feels particularly poignant. The opening lyric describes the feeling of being overwhelmed and trapped, but when she looks into the eyes of the daughter she is renewed. She’s living in that moment, that feeling, while still acknowledging the legacy she is creating. Beyoncé’s vocal delivery and the lyrical content of the record carry the song, although the instrumental fits under it all quite well. No wonder Beyoncé and Boots are the only co-writers and producers on this track. It just feels right.
Move (Renaissance)
You heard what she said! There’s a lot happening on this song and all of it is excellent. If your limbs don’t flail around haphazardly as you listen to this song, I assure you, you are doing it wrong. With contributions from Grace Jones and Tems, this is an anthem about taking up space and demanding to be seen. I don’t trust anyone who says it’s a skip. Particularly, after seeing a live performance, it’s impossible not to love this song and all of its parts.
***Flawless (Beyoncé)
Beyoncé - ***Flawless ft. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
I refuse to let Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie ruin this song for me or for anyone else. So, this will be the last time I mention her. I WILL say that it’s notable album-wise, this track ~ technically ~ begins with the song “Bow Down,” which is kind of unfair. We’re already hype and off to the races. I remember how Bow Down pissed off so many people, but I don’t think she said anything particularly offensive or incorrect. She simply reminded the young’uns to come correct! Somehow the old heads got involved. This had nothing to do with you. Sit down. Then we have the interlude by that woman and enter into ***Flawless. I’ll call it a self-love anthem. Why not! It’s a club track, ringtone and an alarm clock too while we’re at it! The chorus became the caption to so many instagram pictures and tweets. We used to be a proper country!!!
713 (Everything is Love)
This is absolutely an unexpected banger. Jay starts this one off and takes the lead. It is actually a welcome change to what had been a sort of pattern earlier in the album. It tells the story of early Bey and Jay, which was nice to hear. And the BEAT is absolute fire. Is this how it felt to listen to early Jay Z for any senior citizens reading this? Like, because it really hypes me up!
I Miss You (4)
This isn’t the first or last time I’ll talk about an oft-forgotten Beyoncé ballad. I love Beyoncé ballads. She’s one of the best at portraying emotion through her music. This song came out when I was thirteen years old. I certainly didn’t have anyone to miss, and yet I felt this song in my bones. The instrumental is pretty basic, so as to not get in the way of her unique phrasing and how she sings the song. I love how we begin with a whisper, almost like it’s a secret being carried by the wind to the (assumed) lover on the other end. Then, when we get to the second verse, she layers the higher octave on top and we can hear the desperation and the pain she’s feeling. I wouldn’t know it then, but this is a song co-written by Frank Ocean, who is a master of putting together the most heartbreaking melodies to create something hauntingly beautiful. This sounds so much like his work and I am glad I can recognize that as a fan today.
BlackBiird (Cowboy Carter)
Beyoncé choosing to cover this song for Cowboy Carter was a very smart decision. I was already very fond of the song without her touch on it. It’s exquisitely written and I later learned about Paul’s intentions to connect it with the Civil Rights movement and integrating schools. It works so well having Beyoncé’s take on the song as she felt ostracized after singing country music and exploring the ties between race, geography, music and nationality. And to include overlooked black female country artists who must have indeed been “waiting for this moment to arise,” is just so sweet. Bey has always been a true music historian and this feels like a particularly special moment that started with the Beatles sixty years ago.
Ring Off (Beyoncé)
In my opinion, this is a pretty surprising song when you think about Beyoncé’s discography. I don’t even necessarily mean the reggae flair to the song, although that also does feel a little novel to her. It’s also just an incredibly personal song about her family, something that she would continue to explore to much acclaim on Lemonade. Lyrically, this song is pretty directly dedicated to her mother Tina as a celebration of divorcing her father. It’s kind of funny when you stop and think about it, but ultimately, when you’re listening to it, you see it as a love letter to her mother and a celebration for choosing herself. It’s honestly a very beautiful song that I think informs so much of Beyoncé’s future work. The fact that sonically, it is also a danceable bop is the icing on the cake. Divorced ladies all over the world, this is YOUR song! I hope you enjoy it.
II Most Wanted (Cowboy Carter)
Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus - II MOST WANTED (Official Visualizer)
I should know to stop setting up expectations for Beyoncé because I know she will always surpass them. Even considering this, I was under no circumstances expecting a Miley Cyrus collaboration. I was even more surprised about how… smooth and chill this song is? It’s an absolutely gorgeous cruiser, something to turn on when you’re driving down a seemingly endless road. There is much discourse surrounding her and Miley’s voices, but I’m glad that neither singer changed much about how they normally sing. It makes it work even better. I mean, I never watched Thelma and Louise but it still gives me that vibe of two women coming together and maximizing their joint slay, but in a yee-haw fashion. Miley and Beyoncé genuinely do sound great together and it’s a wonderful song!
Yes (Dangerously in Love)
The crackling production. A breath. A few uh-huhs. Beyoncé, you’ve piqued my interest! Men are trifling, as we all know, and this track reveals an unfortunately all too familiar situation for many young women. When you are building a relationship, the word ‘yes’ becomes crucial upon deciding how much time you’re spending with each other and what sorts of things you do with each other. I am no relationship expert, but I agree with the sentiment that men take for granted what it means to be in a relationship with a woman and ultimately treat their women as objects or the things they do together as transactional acts. I personally can’t think of a bigger betrayal than a partner pressuring you before you’re ready or before you want to and then getting mad at you, like that’s all there was to the relationship. Whew. Oh, and the song just sounds good too! Jay-Z is listed as the other lyricist alongside Beyoncé… Not sure what I’m supposed to do with this information.
Halo (I Am… Sasha Fierce)
I’m sure a lot of official publications have this in their top ten. And look, I’m not going to front. Everyone knows that Halo is an exquisite track that will forever be one of her most iconic. It will always be a great way to end a concert, to do a memorial performance or to test your range. I’m serious… the range of this song is still insane to this day. The verses are my bread and butter, but then we get to the chorus and it’s a struggle! Singing competitions and voice lessons have never been the same. It’s also just genuinely a beautiful love song that I’m sure is still being played at weddings. I don’t ~ love ~ the production but it certainly worked at the time, didn’t it! As a pop song, it does everything well and is still a vocal masterclass. This is why I am always confused when people say they didn’t realize Beyoncé was a phenomenal singer. Like, this song is still very difficult to pull off if you’re not a great vocalist and most people know this song, in fact. It’s not your run of the mill ballad.
10. Church Girl (Renaissance)
Well, well, well. A song that was made for me. A song that was made for anyone with any amount of religious trauma, I imagine. First and foremost, we must acknowledge how insane that beginning sample of Center Thy Will is and how it subtly threads itself throughout the song. Beyoncé is such a genius for that. And then the beat drops and you can’t but help to move and follow Beyoncé’s lyrical directions. I love how she also adds her own special harmonies, akin to a gospel choir, in the perfect place. Most of all, I love that Beyoncé made a song about expressing freedom through physicality and movement from a rigid and oft oppressive organization. She emphasizes the importance of bodily autonomy as liberation, as release, as healing and it’s just such a beautiful message. I know that people don’t take this song seriously but I very much do. You don’t have to be a Southern Baptist girl to get it, but it sure helps!
9. American Requiem (Cowboy Carter)
I was completely blown away when I first heard this song. What a masterpiece. It’s weird, it’s sprawling, it cannot be contained. Because it’s an expression of what it means to live in America, to be American, to make country music and being country and black at the same time. It’s drawn several comparisons to Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, so I don’t even think I’m exaggerating when I say this is one of the greatest songs of all time. In this song, Beyoncé brings us face to face with the America we love and hate. The America who lies to us and keeps us. The America that smiles in our faces and stabs us in the back. Is this a funeral or a rebirth? What exactly are we saying goodbye to? What is the possibility of rebuilding what we were forced to build in the first place? What is home if this isn’t it? Perhaps if we stand together, we can discover the true America buried underneath. There’s a lot going on in this song and it serves as a strong thesis statement to Cowboy Carter as a project. Stellar and maybe one of Beyoncé’s more adventurous musical outings.
8. Dance For You (4)
Beyoncé - Dance for You (Video)
I can’t believe there was even a sliver of a chance that we were never going to hear this song. After all, it is a deluxe track on 4 and wasn’t released with the original album. I could have heard ten more minutes of this track. Beyoncé has a gift for sharing incredibly intimate songs and making it somehow feel universal while also being… otherworldly in a way. This is an impossibly well-produced, impeccably structured song. I can only imagine how many bedroom dances were choreographed to Dance For You. And somehow, she makes the song even more appealing by putting an electric guitar solo on the outro, randomly. It feels like the perfect conclusion to this show-stopping number of a song.
7. Blow (Beyoncé)
It must be said multiple times. She’s insane for this. Sometimes you just need a little nasty track to get down to. And while the sound of it is very “family roller skating rink”, Beyoncé is essentially just ovulating on Blow, as she continuously does throughout her self-titled album. There’s no way a refrain of “turn that cherry out” would normally work on any mainstream song, but if you haven’t figured it out already, this is Beyoncé we’re talking about and she makes everything fantastic. She really doesn’t even give us any space to breathe here. It’s just non-stop gyrating, grinding, bubblegum-popping realness. And she throws in some French nonsense in here for good measure! The best songs randomly have French and other languages sprinkled in the middle. I really can’t even begin to explain how great this song is so I’ll just leave it here. Beyoncé is in here moaning to the beat! Actually, she MAKES her moans the beat. It literally doesn’t get any better than this.
6. Ya Ya (Cowboy Carter)
Beyoncé’s most inventive song. Her most energetic song. The song with the most references. Her boldest song. All in all, this song is everything. When I first heard this song, you would think I was TRYING to catch flies. My mouth wouldn’t close. I was shook. I couldn’t believe it. This song felt like a proper performance that you would watch in a revue in the sixties. And of course it’s authentic because Beyoncé is a black music historian. It’s a dedication, a tribute to the best performers on the Chitlin Circuit. It sounds like a recording of the past while also being extremely current. She uses her voice as the instrument it is, to emulate other artists that paved the way for her. Ya Ya is a political, socioeconomic and ethnocultural statement that will always stand out in her discography.
5. Alien Superstar (Renaissance)
She’s one of one. She’s number one. She’s the only one. This song cemented Beyoncé as the legend she is. Because when you sit down and think about it, there really is no one touching her, dead or alive! It’s crazy! An immediate fan favorite, I would have never thought Beyoncé would make this song. It feels a little too queer and ballroom-ready. But she pulls it off like she’s been making this music all of her life. Clearly she’s enriched by and invested in Black Queer culture, or this wouldn’t have been such a successful song. It’s UNIQUE, all right. Every listen feels like it gets shorter and shorter. If you ask me, this should have been a ten minute song. I could hear Beyoncé go off on this beat all day! I am constantly tickled by Jay Z’s writing credit as it feels incredibly obvious what section he contributed to. Good for him! Put on that unicorn uniform! In any estimation, this song is Beyoncé at her most powerful and she wields that power from beginning to end.
4. All Night (Lemonade)
I have never been more serious in my life than when I said this should be taught in schools. Like music majors should be studying the structure of the song, vocalists should be practicing on how to make a successful transition to falsetto as well as how to growl, musicians should be able to jam out like this, like this is MUSIC. Now, I must be honest, I still don’t think I would wish the sentiment of this song on my worst enemy because what do you MEAN my TORTURER became my REMEDY. My gosh. Horrific. However, the terrifying lyrical content only makes the song that more powerful. It really feels like the sun is shining on our skin after the darkest of days. The way she extends the refrain “All Night Long” is how we sonically ride off into the sunset of love and redemption. I’m not sure how she was able to do it, but she did it, and the world is better off for it. Love may indeed conquer all.
3. Virgo’s Groove (Renaissance)
It took me a while to declare this as my favorite song from Renaissance. But, if I were to choose a song to be Beyoncé’s magnum opus… I would choose this track. It’s absolutely flawless. A six-minute masterpiece, Virgo’s Groove never stops, well, grooving! I think that it’s no mistake that she uses the outro of this song on the Renaissance World Tour to sing through some of her other hits that she couldn’t fit into the set list. This is quintessential Beyoncé, at its shiniest, glimmering, sparkling. This just might be my favorite vocal performance of hers as well. She makes it all sound so easy and ~ delicious ~ Her runs, the transitions into her head voice, her phrasing… it’s all so well-conceived.
There’s also just something so passionate about this song. She sings it with such conviction, confidence and assuredness, that it only elevates your listening experience and makes you want to party harder. There’s a glorious push-and-pull to the song. I have never wanted to be in a relationship more after this song blessed my ears. Actually, the song itself is almost representative of a relationship in sonic format. I really can’t explain it. It’s just undeniable and overrides any boundaries of how long you think a song should be and how long you should spend out there on the dance floor. I’m so glad this found its way to my top spot on Renaissance and into the top three of her discography.
2. Rocket (Beyoncé)
Beyoncé very delicately creates one of the greatest slow jams of all time on her self-titled album. The general theme of this album definitely seems to be aimed at female empowerment and sex positivity. Therefore, I’m not totally surprised she’s made a truly phenomenal song based in female pleasure and satisfaction. She is undoubtedly the queen of layered vocals, but it’s really powerful as the chorus washes over us. This song features my absolute favorite bridge she’s ever done. Yet another six-minute triumph, Beyoncé makes sure to use her voice in all the ways. I mean, moans, whimpers, groans, whispers, growls — she does it all, and it really feels like you’re living through a true artistic experience every time you listen to this song. It feels like she’s holding something back. This is one of the many songs you can tell that she’s just as much of Prince’s and Janet Jackson’s musical daughter as she is Michael Jackson’s. I’d choose this song a million times over in a thousand lifetimes as a legendary track for the books.
1. I Care (4)
Beyoncé - I Care (Live at Roseland)
Beyoncé decided to make her best song for the Pisces. And she is so real for that. Come on. There’s a reason that this song STAYS on the setlist for Beyoncé concerts. She also knows that it’s the greatest song she ever made. The heart-wrenching, soul-crushing vocal delivery is obviously something to behold, but what’s more impressive are those DRUMS that DRIVE the song. It’s such an interesting choice for a ballad and it pays off because it is able to match her fierce vocals. The background vocals are perfect and somehow subtle, in a song that’s so direct and packs a punch. This might just be her best bridge, and no one will ever be able to forget her mimicking the guitar line with her voice. Content-wise, it’s a catch-22 kind of song, which is why I like the choice of the la-la-las in the chorus and the fade-out at the end. She totally nailed this and there is nothing like it, even within her own discography. It’s the greatest she has to offer.
What is your favorite Beyoncé song? Let me know!
And as always, you can find the top 100 on this playlist. As mentioned, there are three songs that are unreleased and therefore not on this playlist.