The 10 best Beyoncé songs of all time

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, born September 4, 1981 in Houston, Texas, is an iconic American singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur. Beyoncé rose to fame in the late 1990s as the lead singer of Destiny’s Child, one of the world’s most successful girl groups of all time, and later launched a successful solo career. Known for her powerful vocals, dynamic stage presence, and boundary-pushing artistry, Beyoncé has released several critically acclaimed albums, including Dangerously in Love (2003), B’Day (2006), Lemonade (2016), and Black Is King (2020). Beyond music, Beyoncé has made significant contributions to film, fashion, and activism, cementing her status as a cultural icon and one of the most influential figures in entertainment.

1. “The best thing I never had”

“Best Thing I Never Had” is a hit song by Beyoncé, released in 2011 as the second single from her fourth studio album, 4. Co-written by Beyoncé, Patrick “J. Que” Smith, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Antonio Dixon, and Shea Taylor, the song is an empowering anthem about moving on from a failed relationship and realizing that the breakup was ultimately for the best. With its powerful vocals, catchy melody, and catchy lyrics, “Best Thing I Never Had” became a commercial success, receiving positive reviews and reaching the top 20 on music charts in several countries. The song’s message of self-love and strength resonated with listeners and cemented Beyoncé’s reputation as a powerful artist and songwriter.

2. “Déjà vu”

“Deja Vu” is a song by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z, released in 2006 as the first single from her second studio album *B’Day*. Produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, the song blends elements of R&B, funk and hip hop. It deals with themes of love and attraction, with Beyoncé expressing a feeling of familiarity and connection reminiscent of déjà vu. The track features energetic vocals from Beyoncé and a guest verse from Jay-Z, complemented by its catchy beat and infectious groove. “Deja Vu” was well received commercially and showcases Beyoncé’s dynamic vocal range and stage presence.

3. “Love at the top”

“Love on Top” is a lively and uplifting song by Beyoncé from her 2011 fourth studio album, 4. Co-written by Beyoncé, Terius “The-Dream” Nash, Shea Taylor, and Ernest Clark, the track is reminiscent of 1980s and 1990s R&B and funk, and features a catchy groove, energetic horn section, and Beyoncé’s dynamic vocal performance. Lyrically, “Love on Top” celebrates the joy and excitement of being in love, with Beyoncé expressing her devotion and happiness in a relationship. The song received widespread acclaim from music critics for its catchy melody, retro-inspired production, and Beyoncé’s impressive vocal range, particularly the numerous key changes toward the end. “Love on Top” became a commercial success, reaching the top 20 of various music charts worldwide and earning Beyoncé several award nominations. Its feel-good vibe and timeless appeal have made it a fan favorite and a staple of Beyoncé’s live performances.

4. “Crazy with Love”

“Crazy in Love” is a surprise hit by Beyoncé featuring Jay-Z, released in 2003 as the first single from her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love. Co-written by Beyoncé, Rich Harrison, Jay-Z and Eugene Record, the song is a high-energy fusion of R&B, hip-hop and funk, driven by a prominent horn sample from The Chi-Lites’ “Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So).” With its infectious beat, catchy hook and Beyoncé’s powerful vocals, “Crazy in Love” became an instant sensation, topping charts around the world and earning critical acclaim. The song’s iconic music video, featuring Beyoncé’s captivating dance moves, further cemented its influence on pop culture. “Crazy in Love” is often cited as one of Beyoncé’s most famous songs and remains a timeless anthem of love and passion.

5. “If I were a boy”

“If I Were a Boy” is a poignant ballad by Beyoncé, released in 2008 as the first single from her third studio album *I Am… Sasha Fierce*. Co-written by BC Jean and Toby Gad, the song explores gender roles and relationship dynamics from a perspective of introspection and empathy. Beyoncé’s powerful vocals convey the feelings of longing and thoughtfulness as she imagines how differently she would act if she were in a man’s position. “If I Were a Boy” became a commercial success, topping charts around the world and garnering acclaim for its thought-provoking lyrics and emotional delivery.

6. “Irreplaceable”

“Irreplaceable” is a hit song by Beyoncé, released in 2006 as the third single from her second studio album, B’Day. Co-written by Beyoncé, Ne-Yo, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Espen Lind and Amund Bjørklund, the song is a mid-tempo R&B track with elements of pop and soul. In “Irreplaceable”, Beyoncé emphasizes her independence and strength after discovering her partner’s infidelity and tells him to pack his bags and get out of her life. With its catchy chorus, powerful lyrics and Beyoncé’s soulful vocals, “Irreplaceable” became a huge commercial success, topping charts worldwide and receiving critical acclaim. The song’s catchy chorus “to the left, to the left” became a cultural phenomenon and cemented its status as one of Beyoncé’s most iconic songs.

7. “Raise the alarm”

“Ring the Alarm” is a song by Beyoncé, released in 2006 as part of her second studio album *B’Day*. Co-written by Beyoncé, Sean Garrett, and Swizz Beatz, the song is a fierce and intense anthem that blends elements of R&B and hip hop. “Ring the Alarm” features Beyoncé’s powerful vocals and aggressive delivery as she deals with betrayal and heartbreak in a relationship. The song’s energetic beat, bold lyrics, and impressive vocal performance make it a standout track on the album, showcasing Beyoncé’s versatility and artistry.

8. “Sweet Dreams”

“Sweet Dreams” is a song by Beyoncé, released in 2009 as the fourth single from her third studio album *I Am… Sasha Fierce*. Written by Beyoncé, James Scheffer, Wayne Wilkins, and Rico Love, the song is an electropop and dance-pop track that explores themes of love, longing, and fantasy. “Sweet Dreams” features a pulsating beat, catchy hooks, and Beyoncé’s sensual vocals, creating a dreamy and hypnotic atmosphere. The song’s futuristic production and infectious melody helped it become a commercial success, topping the charts in several countries. “Sweet Dreams” remains a fan favorite and showcases Beyoncé’s ability to innovate in pop music.

9. “Run the World (Girls)”

“Run the World (Girls)” is a powerful anthem by Beyoncé, released in 2011 as the first single from her fourth studio album, 4. Co-written by Beyoncé, Terius “The-Dream” Nash, Wesley “Diplo” Pentz, Adidja “Vybz Kartel” Palmer, Dave Taylor, and Nick “Afrojack” van de Wall, the song is an energetic mix of dance-pop, electro-pop, and hip hop. In “Run the World (Girls),” Beyoncé celebrates female empowerment and resilience, with the lyrics emphasizing women’s strength, intelligence, and influence. The catchy beat, bold production, and Beyoncé’s fierce vocals make it a powerful anthem that has found listeners around the world. “Run the World (Girls)” received positive reviews from music critics and became a commercial success. The song reached the top 10 in several countries. The accompanying music video, with its dynamic choreography and powerful imagery, further enhanced the music’s impact as a feminist anthem and cemented Beyoncé’s reputation as a groundbreaking artist.

10. “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”

“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” is a chart-topping song by Beyoncé, released in 2008 as the first single from her third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce. Co-written by Beyoncé, Thaddis “Kuk” Harrell, Christopher “Tricky” Stewart, and Terius “The-Dream” Nash, the song is an upbeat dance-pop and R&B anthem. In “Single Ladies,” Beyoncé encourages women to embrace their independence and self-worth, and proclaims that if a man wants to commit to her, he should “put a ring on it.” The song’s catchy chorus, infectious beat, and iconic choreography became an instant sensation. The accompanying music video, which features Beyoncé and her backing dancers performing the now-famous “Single Ladies” dance routine, went viral, spawning numerous parodies and tributes. “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” became one of Beyoncé’s signature songs, topping the charts around the world and earning critical acclaim for its powerful message and infectious energy.

Edward Tomlin is a regular contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us on social media below.