Destination Jam: Our Top 5 Beyoncé songs to celebrate the Queen of R&B's 39th birthday
It is Beyoncé's birthday on September 4 and what better way to celebrate than with a playlist of some of her best tracks. So here it is, today's Destination Jam is a tribute to the Queen of R&B with our five best Beyoncé songs, as she turns 39.
'Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)'
You knew this hot track had to be first on our list and 'Single Ladies' still remains one of our favorites. Beyoncé and women empowerment go hand in hand on almost every one of her tracks, but there is something about her 2008 smash that has that special edge. Perhaps it is the badass dancing in the music video and Beyoncé firing on all cylinders for the respect of men that makes it the fire that it is, but 'Single Ladies' is undoubtedly catchy. Watch the official music video below.
'Apes**t'
This epic track, with hubby and second half of The Carters team, Jay-Z, hits hard. The subject of many choreography videos by dance squads shared on YouTube, The Carters' 'Apes**t' is perfect for the dance floor and then some. Beyoncé raps in this track and we gotta say, her vocal performance on this song is mindblowing. 'Apes**t' is furious, it's dark, and needs to be played on repeat.
'Formation'
'Formation' appears as the lead single on Beyoncé's sixth studio album 'Lemonade', which released in 2016. Critics praised the song's depiction of African-Americans not frequently seen in mainstream media, earning the No. 1 position on several critics' year-end lists. In 2019, it was named the greatest song of the decade. In 'Formation', Beyoncé takes pride in and owns her looks and heritage with lyrics like, "My daddy Alabama, momma Louisiana. You mix that negro with that Creole make a Texas bamma. I like my baby hair, 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."
'Irreplaceable'
One of the singer's biggest fan-favorite slow jams, 'Irreplaceable' was originally a country record. The track was later re-arranged as a mid-tempo ballad with pop and R&B influences by modifying the vocal arrangements and instrumentation. During the production and recording sessions, Beyoncé wanted to create a song that men or women could relate to. Lyrically, 'Irreplaceable' is about the breakdown of a relationship with an unfaithful man and its message is about female empowerment.
'Bigger'
'Bigger' is from the 2019 album 'The Lion King: The Gift' and also features in the 2020 film 'Black Is King'. According to The Atlantic, 'Bigger' has an overarching theme of "royal succession" as well as an undercurrent exploration of the "ecological and existential" aspects of the "Circle of Life." Over atmospheric synth, Beyoncé enchants and calls for listeners to realize they are part of a universal plan with lyrics like, "If you feel insignificant, you better think again. Better wake up because you're part of something way bigger. You're part of something way bigger. Not just a speck in the universe."
Destination Jam is a daily list of songs that will keep you entertained and grooving up top in lieu of feeling drained and losing the plot. Look out for a fresh selection of great tunes from MEAWW to refresh your mood every day!
