Acknowledged as the Queen of music, Beyoncé Knowles has created an unparalleled legacy and influence across the entertainment sphere.
With 20 record titles to her credit, this pop sensation has shattered boundaries and empowered women while reshaping the landscape of music history.
Since 1999, the Queen of Femme Pop has consistently garnered nominations and accolades for her performances, holding records for the most Grammy awards won by a vocalist, the most Grammy nominations for a female artist, and the highest number of Grammy awards won by a female artist. She has sold out tours all over the world and there is always huge demand whenever Beyonce tickets go on sale for her shows.
Regarded as one of the finest performers of her generation, Beyoncé has continuously delivered hit after hit, including the record-setting track “Amor Gitano,” which is recognized as the best-selling single in Spain.
But what are the other record-breaking hits the music icon has produced? In no particular order:
1: “Formation”
Beyoncé’s solo discography is both vast and impressive, consistently maintaining a high standard. Even without drawing from Destiny’s Child, you could easily substitute several tracks without affecting the overall quality. Choosing a top song is difficult, but “Formation” encapsulates everything a Beyoncé track should deliver within just three and a half minutes. The music is bold yet accessible as pop, the lyrics seamlessly intertwine personal and political themes, showcasing black resilience and Beyoncé’s brilliance. Her vocals effortlessly shift between playful and assertive, making “Formation” a true masterpiece.
2: “Ego” ft Kanye West
The song is a remix from Beyoncé’s third studio album, “I Am… Sasha Fierce”, and was included in the album’s deluxe and platinum editions. It debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 77 during the week ending June 20, 2009, eventually peaking at number 39 after eight weeks. This made it Beyoncé’s 18th solo top 40 hit and the fifth from the album to reach that milestone. On the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it performed even better, climbing to number three on July 25, 2009, surpassing tracks like “If I Were a Boy” and “Halo.” The RIAA certified the song gold, and as of October 6, 2010, it had sold 357,000 downloads in the US, excluding the remix version.
3: “XO”
“XO” is the lead single from Beyoncé’s 2013 self-titled album, “Beyonce.” With its soaring vocals, a gospel-inspired choir, and a pulsating sound, it never feels clichéd and it stands out as an anthem of unwavering love.
Blending pop with electronic elements like synthesizers and drums, its style recalls her earlier collaboration with Ryan Tedder on “Halo.” The song’s catchiest feature is its call-and-response chorus, packed with hooks.
4: “Irreplaceable”
This masterpiece almost didn’t cut “B’Day” due to concerns that its pop sound didn’t match the album’s club vibe or R&B radio. However, Beyoncé’s powerful delivery of the song’s message of empowerment after a failed relationship silenced those doubts.
The track became a massive success, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for 10 weeks, making it the best-performing song in the U.S. in 2007. Selling over six million copies, it became “B’Day’s” most successful release. Certified double platinum by the RIAA, the song ranked as the 25th most successful song of the 2000s in the U.S. and marked Beyoncé as only the second artist, after Mariah Carey, to reach 200 million audience impressions in the country.
5: “Halo”
“Halo” is a pop and R&B ballad centred around the theme of transcendent love. The song incorporates various instruments, including piano, drums, keyboard, strings, and synthesizers.
It achieved notable chart success, reaching No. 2 on the US Mainstream Top 40, just behind “Boom Boom Pow” by The Black Eyed Peas. Additionally, it secured the top spot on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart and climbed to No. 16 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The RIAA awarded the track double-platinum status on January 5, 2010, for selling two million copies. By August 2022, its certifications were updated to reflect sales surpassing nine million.
6: “Single Ladies”
“Single Ladies” is among the most iconic songs ever, with over nine million copies sold globally. Released as the second single from her third studio album, it earned Beyoncé the prestigious Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Best R&B Song, among others. Beyond being an empowering anthem, it has secured its place in pop culture history.
The song became her fifth solo single to top the Hot Digital Songs chart and was the seventh best-selling digital track of 2009, with 6.1 million copies sold worldwide.
7: “Run The World (Girls)”
Entering a new phase with her album “4”, Beyoncé took a fresh approach with the empowering anthem “Run The World (Girls),” which prominently samples Major Lazer’s “Pon de Floor”. Known for its infectious beat, impactful lyrics, and unforgettable choreography, the song has sold over four million copies. Its music video has garnered over 568 million views to date.
Beyoncé promoted the track through live performances, including at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards and on the French “X Factor”. The song peaked at number one on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart and earned a 4× platinum certification from the RIAA in August 2022.
8: “Crazy in Love”
If there’s a way to launch a solo career, Beyoncé did it perfectly with “Crazy in Love,” featuring Jay-Z. This track transcended the typical hit, quickly becoming an undeniable pop classic of the 21st century. With its captivating vocals, iconic rap verse, and clever use of the Chi-Lites sample, it became a staple in modern music.
In the UK, the single spent three weeks at the top of the charts, remaining in the top 100 for fifteen weeks. By March 2018, it had sold over a million units, making it her second-best-selling track in the country. In the US, “Crazy in Love” debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 and shot to number one purely from heavy radio airplay before its retail release.
9: “Drunk in Love” — ft Jay Z
Mr and Mrs Carter infused their unique chemistry into the track, with Beyoncé’s melodic presence complemented by Jay-Z’s sharp lyrical prowess.
Upon its release in December 2013, “Drunk in Love” swiftly became a sensation, receiving significant airplay across various radio and television networks worldwide. This track marked Beyoncé’s fifteenth top-ten entry on the Hot 100 as a solo artist, remaining in the top ten for eight consecutive weeks.
In April of the same year, it achieved platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). By August 2022, “Drunk in Love” reached six-times platinum status, with six million copies sold and streamed in the U.S., making it Beyoncé’s highest-selling single of the 2010s, factoring in both digital sales and streams.
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