Top 20 Best Songs by Beyoncé

The production is like a cathedral: grand, resonant and full of light. The drums sound like thunder in the distance, while synths and strings swell.nnBeyoncé sings here with angelic purity that transitions into pure power. The chorus "I can see your halo" is made for stadiums. It's a song of total surrender and hope that gives even the biggest cynic goosebumps.

Minimalist and brilliant. A nervous beat, hand claps and a synth bleep; nothing more was needed. The syncopistic rhythms make it deceptively complex.nnThe song is a phenomenon. The singing is rhythmic and compelling. It invites dancing, moving, turning that hand over. A timeless pop anthem that binds generations.

The brass sample (from The Chi-Lites) is one of the most famous intros in pop history. From the first second, the energy bursts off. This was the moment Beyoncé went solo and immediately took her throne.nnThe groove is funky and rousing. The "Uh-oh, uh-oh" hook is iconic. It's the sound of an artist bursting with confidence and infatuation.

Her recent surprise with which she claimed the country genre. The banjo (played by Rhiannon Giddens) gives it an authentic, dusty feel, while the beat stays tight and modern.nnThe song is playful and soulful. Beyoncé's voice fits perfectly with this "rooty" style. It feels like a party in a Texas saloon, where tradition and pop culture meet.

Built on an aggressive military drum beat and a sample of Major Lazer. This is not a song, this is a battle cry. The chaos in the production reflects the energy of a revolution.nnIt's repetitive, fierce and uncompromising. Beyoncé acts as a general leading her troops. A sonic energy injection that shakes the dance floor.

Awarded the Grammy for Best R&B Song and one of the biggest dance floor hits of her career. Together with guitar legend Nile Rodgers (Chic), she created pure unadulterated disco funk, driven by sparkling riffs and cheerful brass that irresistibly invite dancing on the chorus ("We gon' fuck up the night").

A historic pop explosion where two of the greatest superstars of the 21st century joined forces. This razor-fast, hysteric catchy electro-pop track about overstimulation on the dance floor was accompanied by an epic short film and now has over 1.2 billion streams on Spotify.

The triumphant lead single of her masterpiece RENAISSANCE. Built around a bewitching sample of Robin S' house classic Show Me Love and Big Freedia, Beyoncé sings about collective liberation from burnout and monotony ("Release your job, release the time"); a euphoric house hymn that made club floors explode worldwide.

A monumental acoustic ballad that topped the hit lists worldwide. While Ed Sheeran opens with his recognizable folk-pop warmth, Beyoncé lifts the second half to an unprecedented level with her velvety voice, poignant phrasing and rich harmonies; an instant classic for special occasions.

The raw, sultry trap-soul ballad that laid the foundation for her adult artistic era. Over rumbling basses and cinematic synths, Beyoncé sings with naked emotion and unprecedented vocal bravado ("Surfboardt!") about the intoxicating ecstasy of a fiery wedding night; good for over 760 million streams and two Grammys.

An unpolished, viral trap sensation that proved Queen B never takes herself too seriously. The track drives on rumbling 808 basses and a chaotic, highly addictive party flow ("Smack it, smack it, in the air"), accompanied by the iconic DIY hotel room clip that became a worldwide internet rage.

One of the boldest and most sensual tracks in Beyoncé's oeuvre, from her groundbreaking self-titled visual album of 2013. The song switches halfway from a sultry French introduction to a dark, pumping club beat where Beyoncé sings without any restraint about intense physical passion in the back of a limousine.

"To the left, to the left." An acoustic guitar loop and a simple beat form the basis for this R&B classic. It sounds airy and nonchalant, which reinforces the message of independence.nnThe song radiates a delightful arrogance. Beyoncé puts her cheating partner in his place without raising her voice. It's the ultimate "break-up song" that makes you feel good.

An understated folk-pop song driven by a simple guitar and heavy, emotional drum beat. The lyrics flip the roles and expose the double moral in relationships.nnHer voice sounds raw and breakable in the low registers, powerful in the high ones. The atmosphere is melancholic and reflective. One of her most sincere and narrative songs.

A tribute to old-school R&B from the 80s, in particular Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder. The brass is euphoric and the rhythm is impossible to sit still to.nnMost impressive are the endless key changes at the end. Beyoncé climbs higher and higher, with a smile you can almost hear.

A stamper. The piano hammers on the keys and the drums are heavy and tribal. She sings here with a raw soul voice, almost gospel-like.nnThe energy is high and compelling. The song constantly builds tension without ever sagging. It's Beyoncé at her most rhythmic and aggressive.

A classic pop-rock ballad with guitars in the lead role. It's about being stuck in life and needing change. The atmosphere is melancholic and rainy.nnHer falsetto in the chorus is beautiful. The song has that typical mid-2000s rock vibe that feels nostalgic.

A powerful power ballad that perfectly captures the feeling of relief after a bad relationship. The piano intro is immediately recognizable and sets a triumphant tone.nnBeyoncé sings here with a mix of anger and joy. It's an anthem for everyone who realizes they are better off without that one ex. The production is grand and radio-friendly.

From the film Dreamgirls. This is Beyoncé at her most theatrical and vocally challenging point. The song slowly builds from a plea to a demand for freedom.nnThe outbursts in the bridge are legendary. You hear the despair and determination in every note. It's a song where she showcases her full range, grand and sweeping.

A track that begins with subtle guitar and ends in an electronic drop. The lyrics are vulnerable but wrapped in a tough beat.nnHer voice is rhythmic and soulful here. The song shows how well she evolves and integrates modern pop trends into her own sound.