The Beyvolution: The Songs That Shaped Beyoncé's Game-Changing Career

In celebration of Beyoncé's birthday, let's take a look back at her incredible 20-year career...

Monday, September 4, 2017 - 16:16

Nine. Four. Eight. One. B'Day.

That's right! Today is the one and only Beyoncé's birthday, a day where we reflect on her extraordinary talents and a legendary career that just keeps on getting bigger even after two decades.

Over 20 years we have watched her star catapult to unfathomable heights as she assumed different industry positions - girl group leader, solo star, R&B diva, pop superstar - before re-writing the rules and shattering industry standards with her last two innovative, boundary-pushing albums that have shown she is an artist operating in a league of her own.

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Her musical evolution might be difficult to understand when judging by chart success because she has remained consistently successful from Destiny's Child's early days to now.

She was only 16 years old when the group released their debut single No, No, No and since then she has achieved four number one albums (one with Destiny's Child) and seven number one singles (two with DC) in the UK, which doesn't just happen to anyone.

It's pretty much all been incredible, so we're going to (try to) choose the most pivotal releases that have shaped her artistry and brought her to where she is now...

Bills, Bills, Bills

View the lyrics

At first we started out real cool
Taking me places I ain't never been
But now, you're getting comfortable
Ain't doing those things you did no more
You're slowly making me pay for things
Your money should be handling

And now you ask to use my car (car)
Drive it all day and don't fill up the tank
And you have the audacity
To even come and step to me
Ask to hold some money from me
Until you get your cheque next week

You triflin', good for nothing type of brother
Silly me, why haven't I found another?
A baller, when times get hard
I need someone to help me out
Instead of a scrub like you, who don't know what a man's about

Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Do you pay my automo' bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through

Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Do you pay my automo' bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through

Now you've been maxing out my card (card)
Gave me bad credit, buyin' me gifts with my own ends
Haven't paid the first bill
But instead you're headin' to the mall
Goin' on shopping sprees
Perpetrating to your friends like you be ballin'

And then you use my cell phone (phone)
Callin' whoever that you think's at home
And then when the bill comes
All of a sudden you be acting dumb
Don't know where none of these calls come from
When your mommas number's here more than once

You triflin', good for nothing type of brother
Silly me, why haven't I found another?
A baller, when times get hard, I need someone to help me out
Instead of a scrub like you, who don't know what a man's about

Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Do you pay my automo' bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through

Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Do you pay my automo' bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through

You triflin', good for nothing type of brother
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another?
You triflin', good for nothing type of brother
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another?
You triflin', good for nothing type of brother
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another?
You triflin', good for nothing type of brother
Oh silly me, why haven't I found another?

Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Do you pay my automo' bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through
Can you pay my bills?
Can you pay my telephone bills?
Do you pay my automo' bills?
If you did then maybe we could chill
I don't think you do
So, you and me are through

Writer(s): BRIGGS KEVIN JEROME, BURRUSS KANDI L Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

The lead single from The Writing's On The Wall, the album that made Destiny's Child a household name worldwide and gave them four Top 10 hits in the UK including 'Bug a Boo' and their signature hit 'Say My Name'.

Independent Women (Part I)

View the lyrics

Where The Ladies?
Where My Homegirls?
Where My Females?
Where All My Women?
If I Hurt Your Feelings Boy
I'm Sorry But I Didn't Mean To Hurt You Yeah
I Thought You Knew Yeah
I Got No Time To Fall In Love With You Yeah
All My Independent Women
Throw Them Hands Up At Me
And All My Sexy Women
Throw Them Hands Up At Me
All My Money Making Women
Throw Them Hands Up At Me
All My Baller Women
Throw Them Hands Up At Me
All My Independent Women
Throw Them Hands Up At Me
And All My Sexy Women
Throw Them Hands Up At Me
All My Money Making Women
Throw Them Hands Up At Me
All My Baller Women
Throw Them Hands Up At Me

Writer(s): BEYONCE KNOWLES, RAPTURE STEWART, ERIC SEATS, DAVID DONALDSON, FRANK COMSTOCK Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

Just months after 'Say My Name' became their highest-charting single, the group doubled down their feminism, sass and bass for this timeless, R&B classic that was their first UK number one single. 'Independent Women' was the theme for the first Charlie's Angels movie and kickstarted the mega-successful, unstoppable Survivor era.

Crazy In Love

View the lyrics

It's so crazy right now!
Most incredibly, it's ya girl, Bee,
It's ya boy, young.

You ready?
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no

Yea, history in the making,, it's so crazy right now

I look and stare so deep in your eyes,
I touch on you more and more every time,
When you leave I'm begging you not to go,
Call your name two or three times in a row,
Such a funny thing for me to try to explain,
How I'm feeling and my pride is the one to blame.
'Cuz I know I don't understand,
Just how your love can do what no one else can.

Got me looking so crazy right now, your love's
Got me looking so crazy right now (in love)
Got me looking so crazy right now, your touch
Got me looking so crazy right now (your touch)
Got me hoping you'll page me right now, your kiss
Got me hoping you'll save me right now
Looking so crazy in love's,
Got me looking, got me looking so crazy in love.

Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no
Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no

When I talk to my friends so quietly,
Who he think he is? Look at what you did to me,
Tennis shoes, don't even need to buy a new dress,
If you ain't there ain't nobody else to impress,
The way that you know what I thought I knew,
It's the beat my heart skips when I'm with you,
But I still don't understand,
Just how your love can do what no one else can.

Got me looking so crazy right now, your love's
Got me looking so crazy right now (oh crazy)
Got me looking so crazy right now, your touch (you're in love)
Got me looking so crazy right now (love!)
Got me hoping you'll page me right now, your kiss (hey!)
Got me hoping you'll save me right now
Looking so crazy in love's, (hey)
Got me looking, got me looking so crazy in love.

I'm Looking so crazy in love's,
Got me looking, got me looking so crazy in love.

Check it, let's go
Young Hov y'all know when the flow is loco,
Young B and the R-O-C, uh oh, (oh)
Ol' G, big homie, the one and only,
Stick bony, but the pocket is fat like Tony, Soprano, (oh no)
The ROC handle like Van Axel,
I shake phoneys man, You can't get next to,
The genuine article I go I do not sing though,
I sling though, If anything I bling yo,

a star like Ringo, roll like??
Crazy bring ya whole set,
Jay Z in the range, crazy and deranged,
They can't figure them out they like hey is he insane, (oh no)
Yes sir I'm cut from a different cloth,
My texture is the best fur, of chinchilla.
(Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no)
Been dealing with chain smokers,
But how you think I got the name Hova?
(Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no)
I been realer the game's over,
(Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no)
Fall back young, ever since the label changed over
(Uh oh, uh oh, uh oh, oh no no)
to platinum the game's been wrap, One!

Got me looking, so crazy, my baby
I'm not myself, lately I'm foolish, I don't do this,
I've been playing myself, baby I don't care
'Cuz your love's got the best of me,
And baby you're making a fool of me,
You got me sprung and I don't care who sees,
'Cuz baby you got me, you got me, so crazy baby
HEY!

Got me looking so crazy right now, your love's (oh love)
Got me looking so crazy right now (lookin' crazy)
Got me looking so crazy right now, your touch
Got me looking so crazy right now
Got me hoping you'll page me right now, your kiss (baby)
Got me hoping you'll save me right now (baby)
Looking so crazy in love's, (whoa!)
Got me looking, got me looking so crazy in love. (whoa!)

Got me looking so crazy right now, your love's
Got me looking so crazy right now (your love)
Got me looking so crazy right now, your touch
Got me looking so crazy right now (your touch)
Got me hoping you'll page me right now, your kiss
Got me hoping you'll save me right now
Looking so crazy in love's,
Got me looking, got me looking so crazy in love

Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

It almost feels pointless discussing this because we ALL know 'Crazy In Love'. The horns, the uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-oh-uh-no-no, the video, the Jay-Z verse. Another number one. The lead single from Beyoncé's solo debut set the standard for her career and it still gets everyone dancing 14 years later.

Lose My Breath

View the lyrics

Hit me!

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my... (hah, hah)

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my breath (hah, hah)

Ooh
I put it right there, made it easy for you to get to
Now you wanna act like ya don't know what to do
After I done everything that you asked me
Grabbed you, grind you, liked you, tried you
Moved so fast, baby, now I can't find you

Ooh
I'm startin' to believe that I'm way too much for you
All that talk but it seems like it can't come through
All them lies like you could satisfy me
Now I see where believing you got me
Gave you the wheel, but you can't drive me

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my... (hah, hah)

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my breath (hah, hah)

Ooh
Two things I don't like when I tryin' to get my groove
Is a partner that meets me only half way and just can't prove
Take me out so deep when you know you can't swim
Need a lifeguard and I need protection
To put it on me deep in the right direction

Ooh
You understand the facts that I'm tryin' to give to you
You movin' so slow like you just don't have a clue
Didn't mama teach you to give affection?
I know the difference of a man and an adolescent
It ain't you boo, so get to steppin'

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my... (hah, hah)

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my breath (hah, hah)

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my... (hah, hah)

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my breath (hah, hah)

If you can't make me say "ooh"
Like the beat of this drum
Why you ask for some and you really want none?
If you can't make me say "ooh"
Like the beat of this groove

You don't have no business in this
Here's your papers
Baby, you are dismissed, dismissed,
dismissed, dismissed, dismissed, dismissed, dismissed

C'mon
Breathe with me
Hah, hah
Go! Child!

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my... (hah, hah)

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my breath (hah, hah)

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my... (hah, hah)

Can you keep up?
Baby boy, make me lose my breath
Bring the noise, make me lose my breath
Hit me hard, make me lose my breath (hah, hah)

Writer(s): DANIELS LASHAWN AMEEN, CARTER SHAWN C Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

Destiny's Child reunited for their fourth and final album after their 'solo experiments' and what a way to go! Destiny Fulfilled gave them three more Top 10 hits, including the truly brilliant 'Lose My Breath' which peaked at number two, matching the success of Bootylicious.

Check On It (ft. Slim Thug)

View the lyrics

Swiss beats
DC, Destiny Child (Slim Thug)

You need to stop playing round with all them clowns and the wangstas
Good girls gotta get down with the gangstas
Go head girl put some back and some neck up on it
While I stand up in the background and check up on it

Oooh boy you lookin' like you like what you see
Won't you come over check up on it, I might let you work up on it
Ladies let em check up on it, watch it while he check up on it
Dip it, pop it, twerk it, stop it, check on me tonight

If you got it, flaunt it, boy I know you want it
While I turn around you watch me check up on it
Oh you watchin me shake it, I see it in ya face
Ya can't take it, it's blazin, you watch me in amazement
You can look at it, as long as you don't grab it
If you don't go braggin, I'ma let you have it
You think that I'm teasin, but I ain't got no reason
I'm sure that I can please you, but first I gotta read you

Oooh boy you lookin' like you like what you see
Won't you come over and check up on it, I might let you work up on it
Ladies let em check up on it, watch it while he check up on it
Dip it, pop it, twerk it, stop it, check on me tonight

Oooh boy you lookin' like you like what you see
Won't you come over and check up on it, I might let you work up on it
Ladies let em check up on it, watch it while he check up on it
Dip it, pop it, twerk it, stop it, check on me tonight

I can tell you wanna taste it, but I'm gon' make you chase it
You got to be patient, I like my men patient
More patience, you take might get you in more places
You can't be abrasive, have to know to pace it
If I let you get up on it, you gotta make a promise
That you gon' put it on me, like no ones put it on me
Don't bore me, just show me, all men talk but don't please
I can be a tease, but I really wanna please you

Oooh boy you lookin' like you like what you see
Won't you come over and check up on it, I might let you work up on it
Ladies let em check up on it, watch it while he check up on it
Dip it, pop it, twerk it, stop it, check on me tonight

Oooh boy you lookin' like you like what you see
Won't you come over and check up on it, I might let you work up on it
Ladies let em check up on it, watch it while he check up on it
Dip it, pop it, twerk it, stop it, check on me tonight

I'm checking on you boo, do whatcha do
And while dance I'ma glance at this beautiful view
I'm keep my hands in my pants, I need to glue' em with glue
I'm in a trance all eyes on you and your crew
Me and my mans don't dance,
but to feel ya'll bump and grind
It won't hurt if you gon' try one time
They all hot, but let me see this ones mine
Its Slim Thug and DC outta H town

Oooh Boy you lookin' like you like what you see
Won't you come over and check up on it, I'ma let you work up on it
Ladies let em check up on it, watch it while he check up on it
Dip it, pop it, twerk it, stop it, check on me tonight

Oooh by you lookin' like you like what you see
Won't you come over and check up on it, I'ma let you work up on it
Ladies let em check up on it, watch it while he check up on it
Dip it, pop it, twerk it, stop it, check on me tonight

Oooh boy you lookin' like you like what you see
Won't you come over and check up on it, I'ma let you work up on it
Ladies let em check up on it, watch it while he check up on it
Dip it, pop it, twerk it, stop it, check on me tonight

Oooh by you lookin' like you like what you see
Won't you come over and check up on it, I'ma let you work up on it
Ladies let em check up on it, watch it while he check up on it
Dip it, pop it, twerk it, stop it, check on me tonight

Writer(s): BEYINCE ANGELA RENEE, DEAN KASSEEM DAOUD Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

What a BANGER! Harking back to the visual themes of Bootylicious and picking up the rapid-fire flow of Destiny's Child's biggest songs, 'Check On It' showed the world that Beyoncé was going nowhere now the band had split and became another worldwide hit for her, despite only being a soundtrack single. A legend? I think so.

Irreplaceable

Beyoncé - Irreplaceable

'Déjà Vu' might have been the lead single from Bey's second album B'Day but it was 'Irreplacable' that became the era's breakout hit. A timeless, sing-along break-up anthem that still remains a fan favourite.

If I Were A Boy

View the lyrics

If I were a boy
even just for a day
I'd roll out of bed in the morning
And throw on what I wanted and go
Drink beer with the guys
And chase after girls
I'd kick it with who I wanted
And I'd never get confronted for it
Cause they'd stick up for me
If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man
I'd listen to her
Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted
Cause he's taken you for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

If I were a Boy
I would turn off my phone
Tell everyone it's broken
So they'd think that I was sleeping alone
I'd put myself first
And make the rules as I go
Cause I know that she'll be faithful
Waiting for me to come home, to come home.

If I were a boy
I think I could understand
How it feels to love a girl
I swear I'd be a better man
I'd listen to her
Cause I know how it hurts
When you lose the one you wanted (wanted)
Cause he's taken you for granted (granted)
And everything you had got destroyed

It's a little too late for you to come back
Say it's just a mistake
Think I'd forgive you like that
If you thought I would wait for you
You thought wrong

But you're just a boy
And you don't understand
How it feels to love a girl someday
You'll wish you were a better man
You don't listen to her
You don't care how it hurts
Until you lose the one you wanted
Cause you've taken her for granted
And everything you had got destroyed

But you're just a boy

Writer(s): GAD TOBIAS, CARLSON BRITTANY Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

By 2008, Beyoncé realised she excelled at uptempo bangers and ballads equally, so she decided to give both sides of her the attention they deserved with the double album I Am... Sasha Fierce. 'If I Were A Boy' was the first time she released a ballad as a lead single and it became her fourth solo number one in the UK, showing there was just as much demand for her incredible vocals as there was for the club bangers.

Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)

View the lyrics

All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies

Now put your hands up
Up in the club, we just broke up
I'm doing my own little thing
Decided to dip and now you wanna trip
Cause another brother noticed me

I'm up on him, he up on me
Don't pay him any attention
Just cried my tears, for three good years
Ya can't be mad at me

Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, o-ohh

Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, o-ohh
If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it

If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
Got me tighter in my Dereon jeans
Acting up, drink in my cup

I can care less what you think
I need no permission, did I mention
Don't pay him any attention
Cause you had your turn and now you gonna learn

What it really feels like to miss me
Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

Oh, oh, oh
If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

Oh, oh, oh
Don't treat me to the things of the world
I'm not that kind of girl

Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve
Here's a man that makes me then takes me
And delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond
Pull me into your arms, say I'm the one you own
If you don't, you'll be alone

And like a ghost Ill be gone
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies
Now put your hands up, oh, oh, oh
Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh
If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh

Writer(s): BEYONCE KNOWLES, THADDIS HARRELL, CHRIS STEWART, TERIUS NASH Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

The I Am... Sasha Fierce album cemented Beyoncé's status as one of pop's biggest superstars, and this iconic release is just one of the reasons why. The 'Single Ladies' video made the song one of her biggest ever, showing she had an eye for strong visuals before she decided to go full-out a few years later.

Telephone (Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé)

View the lyrics

Hello, hello, baby
You called, I can't hear a thing
I have got no service in the club, you say, say?
Wha-wha-what did you say, huh?
You're breaking up on me
Sorry, I cannot hear you, I'm kinda busy
K-kinda busy, k-kinda busy
Sorry, I cannot hear you, I'm kinda busy

Just a second
It's my favorite song they're gonna play
And I cannot text you with a drink in my hand, eh?
You should've made some plans with me
You knew that I was free
And now you won't stop calling me, I'm kinda busy

Stop calling, stop calling
I don't wanna think anymore
I got my head and my heart on the dance floor
Stop calling, stop calling
I don't wanna talk anymore
I got my head and my heart on the dance floor

Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
Stop telephoning me
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
I'm busy
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
Stop telephoning me
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh

Can call all you want, but there's no one home
And you're not gonna reach my telephone
Out in the club, and I'm sipping that bubb
And you're not gonna reach my telephone

Call when you want, but there's no one home
And you're not gonna reach my telephone
Out in the club, and I'm sipping that bubb
And you're not gonna reach my telephone

Boy, the way you blowing up my phone
Won't make me leave no faster
Put my coat on faster
Leave my girls no faster
I should've left my phone at home
'Cause this is a disaster
Calling like a collector
Sorry, I cannot answer

Not that I don't like you, I'm just at a party
And I am sick and tired of my phone r-ringing
Sometimes I feel like I live in Grand Central Station
Tonight I'm not taking no calls, 'cause I'll be dancing
'Cause I'll be dancing, 'cause I'll be dancing
Tonight I'm not taking no calls, 'cause I'll be dancing

Stop calling, stop calling
I don't wanna think anymore
I got my head and my heart on the dance floor
Stop calling, stop calling
I don't wanna talk anymore
I got my head and my heart on the dance floor

Stop calling, stop calling
I don't wanna think anymore
I got my head and my heart on the dance floor
Stop calling, stop calling
I don't wanna talk anymore
I got my head and my heart on the dance floor

Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
Stop telephoning me
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
I'm busy
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh
Stop telephoning me
Eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh, eh

Can call all you want, but there's no one home
And you're not gonna reach my telephone
'Cause I'm out in the club, and I'm sipping that bubb
And you're not gonna reach my telephone

Call when you want, but there's no one home
And you're not gonna reach my telephone
'Cause I'm out in the club, and I'm sipping that bubb
And you're not gonna reach my telephone

My telephone, m-m-my telephone
'Cause I'm out in the club, and I'm sipping that bubb
And you're not gonna reach my telephone

My telephone, m-m-my telephone
'Cause I'm out in the club, and I'm sipping that bubb
And you're not gonna reach my telephone

We're sorry (we're sorry)
The number you have reached is not in service at this time
Please check the number, or try your call again

Writer(s): JERKINS RODNEY, KNOWLES BEYONCE GISSELLE, DANIELS LASHAWN AMEEN, GERMANOTTA STEFANI J, FRANKLIN LAZONATE S Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

A music industry veteran working with the new kid in pop? 'Telephone' was a monumental for Lady Gaga, naturally, but the collaboration injected a new sense of creativity in Beyoncé and undeniably changed the direction of her future releases.

Run The World (Girls)

Beyoncé - Run the World (Girls) (Video - Main Version)

Blonder than ever before, Beyoncé lead her fourth album campaign with a bold new sound (that Major Lazer sample still goes hard) and fierce female empowerment anthem that declared her M.O. louder than ever before.

Yoncé

Beyoncé - Yoncé (Video)

SHE HAS ARRIVED! One baby, Super Bowl and tour later, Beyoncé literally changed the music industry with her self-titled fifth album. A visual album that was released with absolutely no warning on a random day of the week? The impact of this album is way too vast to summarise in a few lines, while she essentially became a brand new artist with a sound and vision more refined than ever, which an elevated sexual confidence and heightened feminism helped sharpen.

***Flawless (Remix) [ft. Nicki Minaj]

View the lyrics

Dum-da-de-da
Do, do, do, do, do, do
(Coming down, dripping candy on the ground)

It's that Yoncé, your Yoncé
In that lingerie, on that chardonnay
Scoring touchdowns on your runway
I'm Texas forever, like Bun B
And I'm Redboned yo
I'm really rit' like Donjae
I'm camo in here yo
These thots can't clock me nowadays
You wish I was your pound cake
Boy, you know I look good as fuck
Wish I was your baby momma

Want me to come around and give you good karma
But no, we escalating, up in this bitch, like elevators
Of course sometimes shit go down
When it's a billion dollars on an elevator
Of course sometimes shit go down
When it's a billion dollars on an elevator
Ha-ha! God damn, God damn, God damn!

Momma taught me good home training
My Daddy taught me how to love my haters
My sister told me I should speak my mind
My man made me feel so God damn fine

You wake up, flawless, post up, flawless
Ridin' round in it, flawless, flossin' on that, flawless
This diamond, flawless, my diamond, flawless
This rock, flawless, my Roc, flawless

I woke up like this, I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em
I woke up like this, I woke up like this
We flawless, ladies tell 'em

Say "I look so good tonight"
God damn, God damn
Say "I look so good tonight"
God damn, God damn, God damn!

I wake up looking this good
And I wouldn't change it if I could
(If I, if I, if I, if I)
And you can say what you want, I'm the shit
I'm the shit, I'm the shit, I'm the shit
I want everyone to feel like this tonight
God damn, God damn, God damn!

(Onika...)

Looking Trinidadian, Japanese and Indian
Got Malaysian, got that yaki, that wavy Brazilian

Them bitches thirsty, I'm Hungarian
Nicki, B, be eating diamond fangs, barbarian, raaaah!

Yo, like MJ doctor, they killing me
Propofol, I know they hope I fall
But tell ‘em winning, is my motherfuckin' protocol
‘Cause I score, before I ever throw the ball
These bitches washed up and ain't no fuckin' soap involved
Uhg! This every hood nigga dream, fantasizing about Nicki and B
Curvalicious, pussy served delicious

Mayday, mayday, Earth to bitches
Slap these hoes on they ass, like we birthing bitches
Ugh! The Queen of rap, slayin' with Queen B
If you ain't on the team, you playin' for team D

Cause we A-listers, uh we paid sisters
This watch right here, done phased blizzards
I confess, I woke up like this
All this drank in my cup like this
All this ass on that flawless dick
Instagram, another flawless pic
Flawless city, with these flawless titties
I got all these hundreds, you got all them fifties
I'm with some flawless bitches, cause they more than pretty
Cause niggas love bad bitches that be on they grizzly
Throw that ass back, I be on my frisbee
Princess-cut diamonds, on my Disney
He want "Monster Nicki", in Sri Lanka
I told him, "Meet me at the Trump, Ivanka"
I said "Come here, let me show you, how this cookie taste"
This that, "Yeah nigga, eat the cookie" face

(Right, right, right)

Writer(s): AUTHOR UNKNOWN COMPOSER, NICKI MINAJ, RAYMOND DEANDRE MARTIN, RASHAD MUHAMMAD, CHAUNCEY ALEXANDER HOLLIS, BEYONCE KNOWLES, TERIUS NASH Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

"Of course sometimes sh*t go down when it's a billion dollars on an elevator." The original version of '***Flawless' saw the superstar declare her feminism and cockily embrace her imperfections, and the remix took things to a whole new level as she shut down the media's speculation of her marriage with one line and inadvertently told the world that her music would be her only means of communication when it comes to her personal life.

Formation

View the lyrics

What happened at the New Wil'ins?
Bitch, I'm back by popular demand

Y'all haters corny with that Illuminati mess
Paparazzi, catch my fly, and my cocky fresh
I'm so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin')
I'm so possessive so I rock his Roc necklaces
My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bama
I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros
I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils
Earned all this money but they never take the country out me
I got a hot sauce in my bag, swag

Oh yeah, baby, oh yeah I, ohhhhh, oh, yes, I like that
I did not come to play with you hoes, haha
I came to slay, bitch
I like cornbreads and collard greens, bitch
Oh, yes, you besta believe it

Y'all haters corny with that lluminati mess
Paparazzi, catch my fly, and my cocky fresh
I'm so reckless when I rock my Givenchy dress (stylin')
I'm so possessive so I rock his Roc necklaces
My daddy Alabama, Momma Louisiana
You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bama
I like my baby heir with baby hair and afros
I like my negro nose with Jackson Five nostrils
Earned all this money but they never take the country out me
I got a hot sauce in my bag, swag

I see it, I want it, I stunt, yellow-bone it
I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it
I twirl on them haters, albino alligators
El Camino with the seat low, sippin' Cuervo with no chaser
Sometimes I go off (I go off), I go hard (I go hard)
Get what's mine (take what's mine), I'm a star (I'm a star)
Cause I slay (slay), I slay (hey), I slay (okay), I slay (okay)
All day (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay)
We gon' slay (slay), gon' slay (okay), we slay (okay), I slay (okay)
I slay (okay), okay (okay), I slay (okay), okay, okay, okay, okay
Okay, okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, cause I slay
Okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, cause I slay
Prove to me you got some coordination, cause I slay
Slay trick, or you get eliminated

When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, cause I slay
When he fuck me good I take his ass to Red Lobster, cause I slay
If he hit it right, I might take him on a flight on my chopper, cause I slay
Drop him off at the mall, let him buy some J's, let him shop up, cause I slay
I might get your song played on the radio station, cause I slay
I might get your song played on the radio station, cause I slay
You just might be a black Bill Gates in the making, cause I slay
I just might be a black Bill Gates in the making

I see it, I want it, I stunt, yellow-bone it
I dream it, I work hard, I grind 'til I own it
I twirl on them haters, albino alligators
El Camino with the seat low, sippin' Cuervo with no chaser
Sometimes I go off (I go off), I go hard (I go hard)
Get what's mine (take what's mine), I'm a star (I'm a star)
Cause I slay (slay), I slay (hey), I slay (okay), I slay (okay)
All day (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay), I slay (okay)
We gon' slay (slay), gon' slay (okay), we slay (okay), I slay (okay)
I slay (okay), okay (okay), I slay (okay), okay, okay, okay, okay
Okay, okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, cause I slay
Okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, cause I slay
Prove to me you got some coordination, cause I slay
Slay trick, or you get eliminated

Okay, ladies, now let's get in formation, I slay
Okay, ladies, now let's get in formation
You know you that bitch when you cause all this conversation
Always stay gracious, best revenge is your paper

Girl, I hear some thunder
Golly, look at that water, boy, oh lord

Writer(s): BEYONCE KNOWLES, ASHETON HOGAN, MICHAEL WILLIAMS, KHALIF BROWN Lyrics powered by www.musixmatch.com

How does one follow an album like Beyoncé? Well, topping it was an effortless feat for someone like Queen B.

'Formation' was a fearless return from the world's biggest pop star, who boldly used her voice and music to take pride in her culture and simultaneously make a political statement that heavily contrasted the silence of other artists. All in the form of a club banger. Genius.

Reaching new artistic highs 19 years into your career? Making your best music video 19 years into your career? Not many others can relate.

It's very difficult to describe Beyoncé's talents, artistry and career, as she truly is a once-in-a-lifetime artist and like no other.

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Whenever one might think that she can go no higher or do no more, she continuously breaks down barriers and proves us wrong, so all we can do is watch on in awe and be thankful.

Happy birthday, Beyoncé! We hope you're throwing yourself one hell of a 'Party'...

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By Ross McNeilage

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