HAPPY BEY DAY: The Defining Tracks Of Beyoncé’s Music Evolution
Today is a sacred date in the calendar when we thank the universe for gifting the earth the magical human that is Beyoncé Knowles-Carter. TBH, the Kween’s birthday really should be an international public holiday.
To celebrate, we decided to pick out the defining songs that have stuck with us over Beyoncé career. From her early Destiny’s Child days to slayin’ it solo, Bey has been repping the charts for twenty years. Jeez! It’s been a life-time of Beyoncé and she deserves all the praise she gets – and then some.
Here are the tracks that shaped Beyoncé’s music evolution:
‘Say My Name’ – The Writing’s on the Wall
This is the song that catapulted Bey into superstardom. Destiny’s Child would go on to become one of the best-selling girl groups of all time, but there’s no denying Bey stole the spotlight and was the star of the show.
‘Survivor’ – Survivor
The ultimate girl anthem off Destiny’s Child second studio album, this song paired with ‘Independent Women’ became a fixture on every (decent) 90s playlist.
‘Crazy in Love’ – Dangerously in Love
While this wasn’t Beyoncé’s first offish solo single (that honour goes to the ‘Baby Boy’), it was the song that solidified the singer as a force to be reckoned with. Teaming up with future hubby Jay-Z, this track liberated the singer from her prior years fronting Destiny’s Child and still stands as one her best songs ever.
‘Irreplaceable’ – B’Day
Bey’s most forgettable album is arguably B’Day, but ‘Irreplaceable’ is the one track that made the entire thing worth it. Okay, well ‘Ring the Alarm’ is also a fucking great song, but it never reached the critical heights of ‘Irreplaceable’ and that enviable hook ‘to the left, to the left’.
‘Listen’ – Dreamgirls Soundtrack
In the mid-2000s Bey tried her hand at acting, appearing in a series of films. Most of these were very bad, but her career high by far was starring opposite Jamie Fox and Jennifer Hudson in the multi Oscar-winning Dreamgirls.
The karoake fave ‘Listen’ is a standout and proved she had the vocal chops to compete with the best of ’em.
‘Single Ladies’ – I Am… Sasha Fierce
This song is eternally iconic. It’s the ultimate break-up anthem and Beyonce’s best banger. Not to mention, one of the most unforgettable and iconic video clips of all time. If you don’t know the entire choreography to this video from start to finish, then don’t even bother calling yourself a Bey fan.
‘Halo’ – I Am… Sasha Fierce
What. A. Power. Ballad. Composed by One Republic’s Ryan Tedder, pairing piano with Bey’s insane vocal range, the track will live on forever as everyone’s go-to wedding song.
‘Run The World’, 4
Just your daily reminder about who’s on top, this feminist anthem was Bey’s most political song yet (before Lemonade) and the insane dance numbers in the video clip are actual art.
‘Drunk in Love’ – Beyonce
This album changed the game for Bey. The surprise visual based album record was dropped without warning and fans were shook. Even more shock came, because every single song was amazing. But for us, the song that stands apart is ‘Drunk in Love’. It’s a flawless confessional about her and Jaz-Z’s marriage. Perfection.
‘Daddy Lessons’ – Lemonade
The record of 2016 spawned countless powerhouse tracks, but we couldn’t leave ‘Daddy Lessons’ off the list. Bey produced one helleva country number, even the Dixie Chicks were in awe. The song proved that kween Bey can literally do any genre and kill it.
‘Formation’ – Lemonade
The absolute ultimate Beyoncé song. This song shut down the naysayers that thought Bey was apolitical. It’s not only a black anthem, but it gave us these iconic lyrics: ‘if he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster‘. We thank Bey forever for this.
Happy birthday Bey. We’ll forever praise you as humble servants of the Beyhive.
