PULP RANKED: All 43 of Beyoncé's Singles
With Beyoncé dropping her Netflix documentary yesterday, it’s time for us to reflect on her iconic legacy. Dabbling in rap, R&B, pop, rock, country and pretty much every genre you can think of, there are so many eras of Beyoncé that are beloved by all. Which is the best you ask? Well, we may just have the answer. Please enjoy, every single one of Beyoncé’s* singles ranked from worst to best.
*Excluding Destiny’s Child & features so apologies to all the gays who were rooting for Telephone.
43. The Closer I Get To You (feat. Luther Vandross)
It was an outdated ballad at the time, so you can imagine how horribly it has aged since.
42. Ego
We really out here stanning a double entendre.
41. Green Light
Great track! But, Lorde’s cover is much better.
40. Summertime (from the Motion Picture “the Fighting Temptations”)
The movie was a miss and unfortunately, so is this song.
39. Get Me Bodied
Say hello to Zumba’s best friend.
38. At Last (from the Motion Picture “Cadillac Records”)
Good, but not better than Etta James.
37. Video Phone (feat. Lady GaGa)
Ah, Telephone’s ugly step-sister.
36. Deja-Vu (feat. JAY Z)
While sonically great, this track is just a rehashed Crazy In Love. Change my mind.
35. Party (feat. André 3000)
Somehow André 3K outshines Beyoncé, and I don’t wanna live in a world where that happens.
34. Work It Out (from the Motion Picture “Austin Powers: Goldmember”)
Australia is the only country that gave this song a chance. We really shouldn’t have.
33. Best Thing I Never Had
It was the safest song off of 4, making this one a tad forgettable.
32. All Night
The Drunk In Love callback is very clever, but ultimately it’s the weakest part of the album. If only reconciliation sounded as good as the complication.
31. XO
If your Adele-and-Sam-Smith-listening-to-mum ever asked what Beyoncé was up to now, this is the song to show her. Halo got an instrumental upgrade!
30. Check On It (from the Motion Picture “Pink Panther”)
With Beyoncé twerking in ‘06, she was clearly a trendsetter from the get-go.
29. Broken-Hearted Girl
Incredible vocals on an outdated instrumental make this one a tad uncomfortable to listen to now.
28. Pretty Hurts
This Sia-penned album-highlight is perfect when you want to look into a mirror and have an existential crisis.
27. Me, Myself & I
When Big Sean dropped a Me, Myself & I freestyle a few years ago, it cemented what we already knew - B was making timeless music from the get-go.
26. Why Don’t You Love Me
This song - and i cannot stress this enough - is a mood. Big, big mood.
25. Naughty Girl
Interpolating Donna Summer’s iconic lyric seamlessly, this Beyoncé song is the definition of sexy.
24. Ring The Alarm
Don’t Hurt Yourself’s younger and fiester sister. Feeling paranoid? Anxious? Run to this bad-boy and go through all the emotions with Beyoncé right by your side.
23. Freedom (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
The Queen of Pop teaming up with the King of rap. There was no way this song could be bad.
22. Beautiful Liar (Duet with Shakira)
What do you get when you put together the queen of R&B and the queen of Latin-pop? A crossover the pop world could not handle.
21. End of Time
If this is what the end of the world sounds like then just kill me now!
20. Sorry
It’s refreshing to see the most powerful voice in Pop sound this blasé. Just goes to show, she can really do anything.
19. Diva
Ah, the first sight of Beyoncé the rapper. At the time, the world wasn’t ready for this banger, but since its release it’s become a cult favourite, culminating in the standout Beychella performance.
18. Partition
In an industry that glorifies sleeping around, Beyoncé uses Hip-Hop and R&B to prove that marriage can be sexy. And boy is it EVER.
17. If I Were A Boy
A perfect ballad. Zero fault on this one. My advice? Maybe don’t sing this for your X-Factor audition, because you’ll always sound worse by default.
16. 7/11
A song that makes no sense, this track and corresponding music video give us a glimpse of what Beyoncé’s like at a house party. And boy does she go off.
15. Hold Up
Interpolating the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, a tweet by Ezra Koenig and the genius lyricism of Soulja Boy, this Diplo-produced track is the perfect manifestation of delusion.
14. Listen (from the Motion Picture “Dreamgirls”)
Good luck listening to this song and not crying.
13. Run the World (Girls)
This Major Lazer re-imagining was too powerful for the world in 2011. Since it’s initial flop-release, this song has stood the test of time being a crucial workout song and essential club request.
12. Halo
This song is so powerful it inspired a series of XBox games. We stan a gamer queen.
11. APESHIT (Duet with JAY Z)
In the relationship trilogy that was Lemonade, 4:44 and then Everything is Love, this song led the reconciliation of everyone’s favourite billionaire couple. Beyoncé and JAY Z flex their worth through their (again, improved) rapping skills on an instrumental that's as modern as anything. Thanks Quavo.
10. Countdown
With blaring horns, weird glitches and absurd harmonies, Beyoncé is here to do whatever she wants and we love it. The music video is lovey-dovey happiness in a nutshell, as a very pregnant Beyoncé nails the dance moves, having a ball in the process. Plus, who doesn’t love a good countdown. Lol.
9. Drunk In Love (feat. JAY Z)
Teaming up with The Dream and Timbaland, this sultry track is the manifestation of excellent musicians having pure, unrestricted fun in the studio. Beyoncé effortlessly transitions from Beyoncé the singer to Beyoncé the rapper, marking the new era in the Queen of Pop’s legacy. JAY Z is there too, which is fun I guess.
8. Sweet Dreams
I Am… Sasha Fierce was an era where Beyoncé played catch-up with all of the electronic trends that hit commercial radio that year. As a result, the album had a few hits and misses. This song - and I cannot stress this enough - is a hit. The warped synths on top of the angelic strings and soft piano, in conjunction with her flawless vocals, equals a banger for the ages.
7. Baby Boy (feat. Sean Paul)
After a killer debut, no one was sure if Beyoncé could ever follow it up. But alas, she did, with this hip-shaker of a bop. Catch me at the club requesting this one. But warning, you may need a Vodka-RedBull before you join me.
6. ***Flawless (Remix) [feat. Nicki Minaj]
If the eclectic and strange, feminist banger ***Flawless wasn’t enough for your earbuds, enjoy this upgraded remix featuring the Nicki Minaj. Beyoncé, braggadociously rapping about the Solange vs. JAY elevator fight, with skill rivalling that of the Queen of rap, what a time to be alive.
5. Irreplaceable
The only slow track hidden amongst uptempo bangers, finding this song on her sophomore album B’Day was a treat to say the least. While she puts up a sassy front, B still conveys sadness and heartbreak throughout the song’s soulful bridge. But as we all know, Beyoncé turns any negativity into pure gold - so can she ever really lose? Nope. The only thing more beautiful than hearing Beyoncé sing this one is hearing an entire stadium of people sing it back to her.
4. Love On Top
This song is sure to brighten up anyone's day. With vocals as sweet as the “honey, honey” she sings about, harmonies tighter than the cast of Pitch Perfect and an instrumental evoking the smooth sounds of 80s R&B, this throwback bop couldn’t be more perfect.
3. Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)
This song will literally make you want to break up with your partner just so you can dance to this one. With the pulsating instrumental, iconic choreography, and sassy lyrics, everyone remembers where they were when they first watched this music video. Kanye was right, it is the greatest music video of all time. One of the greatest songs too.
2. Crazy in Love (feat. JAY Z)
It’s hard to tell if Beyoncé was trying to make a timeless song or not. Not only did this song thrust Beyoncé further into the public spotlight, but it made her a household name. Destiny’s Child was over, a new era was upon us - one that is not only better, but on track to dominate the playlists of all future weddings to come. I know what I’m walking down the aisle to. Binch.
1. Formation
In the greatest song to come out this millenium, Beyoncé embraces her African-American heritage, making a timeless banger in the process. How could one not embrace intersectional feminism when it sounds this good.