Required Listening: The 10 Best Throwback Beyoncé Songs
All the pre-Lemonade goodness.
Before you're all like, "Where is Lemonade, do you know nothing about American history?" we're constituting a "throwback" as two or more years later (give or take). Can you believe it's been 15 whole years since Beyoncé released her first album, Dangerously in Love, in 2003? Six studio albums, three kids, a family elevator fight, and a whole bunch of Lemonade later, it's been a wild ride for the 👑 since she was a nine-year-old girl trying to make a name for herself. For your nostalgic listening pleasure, preview our top 10 throwbacks below.
1. "Diva" (2008)
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Na, na, na, diva is a female version of a hustler / Of a hustler / Of a, of a hustler. And just like that it's engrained in your brain for the next 72 hours.
2. "Drunk in Love" (2013)
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Featuring an iconic appearance from her husband (he co-wrote the song with her), the music video won "Best Collaboration" and was nominated for "Video of the Year" at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards.
3."Irreplaceable" (2006)
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"You're irreplaceable."—Me to Beyoncé.
4. "Halo" (2008)
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To which Beyoncé proves she's a literal angel (vocals and all)...and makes us feel like we can rule the world.
5. "Crazy in Love" (2003)
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There's so many renditions of this, including the special remake specifically for Fifty Shades over a decade after its release. Ideal for dance-offs.
6. "Beautiful Liar" (2007)
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The collaboration of the year decade. Bonus: their hips don't lie with the fully '07 dance moves starting at 2:21.
7. "Naughty Girl" (2004)
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If you didn't bump to this in your flare jeans and choker, you did it wrong. Here's your redemption.
8. "Single Ladies" (2008)
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Forever known as "the bachelorette party song heard across the world." It features the dance moves of our nightmares, but you can't deny it's catchy as hell.
9. "Partition" (2013)
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Sexy. Amazing. Fabulous. Beautiful. Iconic. Fun fact: Beyoncé co-wrote and produced this one with Justin Timberlake.
10. "If I Were a Boy" (2008)
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The moving feminist ballad you sang along to in your teens—relevant now more than ever.
