25 of Beyonce’s best deep cuts

In 2003, Beyoncé took some time away from Destiny’s Child and released her debut solo album Dangerously in Love. She worked with producer and songwriter Rich Harrison on the standout track “Be With You.” On the track, Beyoncé describes how her partner makes her feel and how she wants to be intimate with him. 

By the time Beyoncé released her sophomore album B’Day, she chose to expand her network of songwriters and producers to elevate her sound. She teamed up with in-demand production duo The Neptunes on the track “Kitty Kat.” In the song, Beyoncé feels she and a lover are on two different pages and he doesn’t give her enough attention. As she sings on the hook, “You know I hate sleeping alone / But you said that you would soon be home / But baby, that was a long time ago / I’m not feeling it, I’m not feeling it.”  

Beyoncé yearns for attention and care on her track “Scared of Lonely.” Produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins, the track finds Beyoncé putting her vulnerable feelings on full display and letting her partner know exactly what she needs from him. As she sings in the second verse, “I cry at night, ‘cause my baby’s too far to be by my side / To wipe away these tears of mine, so I hold my pillow tight / To imagine you outstretch your hand looking for mine / ‘Cause I’m lost in this dream, I need you to hold me.” 

“Rather Die Young” is the type of ballad that showcases Beyoncé’s powerful vocals and acrobatic abilities. On the track, Beyoncé details the feelings she has for her lover and would rather perish if she can’t live her life with her soulmate. As she sings on the hook, “‘Cause I’d rather die young than live my life without you / I’d rather not live at all than live my life without you.” 

Beyoncé may be a celebrity who seemingly has everything she wants in life, but there are times when she questions herself and certain life situations. That’s the sentiment on the Drake-assisted track “Mine,” a song in which describes having doubts about her relationship and motherhood. 

Beyoncé is well aware of how relationships go through ups and downs, including her own. She knows that relationships take work and she stresses this on her track “Love Drought.” She mentions in the song how there is sometimes a love drought in relationships, but if they work at it, they can fix the drought by making it rain. 

Beyoncé and Jay Z realize the importance of friendships and community on their track “FRIENDS.” In the song, Beyoncé reflects on having real friends by her side and how she’s not in the business of making any new friendships, as she’s so close to her friends that they’re more like family to her. As Beyoncé says on her verse, “I don’t know what I would do without all of my crew, yeah / I ain’t making no room, yeah, I ain’t making no new friends / I don’t make no moves, yeah, without telling my crew.” 

In 2019, Disney released a CGI-animated remake of the classic film The Lion King. This time around, Beyoncé voiced the character of Nala. She also curated the film’s soundtrack The Lion King: The Gift, which featured the hit song “Mood 4 Eva.” Beyoncé wanted to make sure the album was like a love letter to Africa, which was evident in “Mood 4 Eva,” which added some Afrobeats elements. 

Six years after her previous album Lemonade, Beyoncé returned in 2022 with her seventh solo album Renaissance. The album came at the perfect time, as the world was still dealing with the pandemic and looking for things that brought them peace and positivity, and this album brought fans so much joy. One of the album’s standout tracks is “Alien Superstar” in which Beyoncé praises herself for her accomplishments because she truly doesn’t have any competition that can keep up with her. As she sings on the hook, “I’m too classy for this world, forever, I’m that girl.” 

In 2024, Beyoncé released her first country album properly titled Cowboy Carter. Teaming up with songwriter and producer Raphael Saadiq on “Bodyguard,” the song finds Beyoncé detailing how she’ll always be a protector for her partner. Her stance is evident in the second verse as she sings, “Be your best friend / I protect you in the mosh pit / And I’ll defend you in the gossip / You know how people like to start s**t and pop s**t.” 

In addition to Missy Elliott’s rap career, she’s always advocated for other women in the industry and collaborated with them. Elliott previously worked with Beyoncé by writing and producing a couple of Destiny’s Child’s songs such as “Confessions” and the “Bootylicious" remix. She teamed up with Beyoncé again in 2003 to write and produce the track “Signs.” In the song, Beyoncé mentions different traits of zodiac signs, but how a certain Sagittarius caught her heart (yes, she’s singing about Jay Z). 

“Schoolin’ Life” was included on the deluxe version of Beyoncé’s album 4. Co-produced by The-Dream, Beyoncé uses the track to highlight different lessons she’s learned as she’s grown up and celebrate the journey it’s taken to get to this moment. 

Beyoncé fully displays her vulnerability on the track “Flaws and All.” In the song, she describes the appreciation she has for her partner for loving her unconditionally in spite of all of her flaws. As she sings in the second verse, “I neglect you when I’m working / When I need attention, I tend to nag / I’m a host of imperfection / And you see past all that.” 

Beyoncé introduced the world to her artistic alter ego on her third album I Am… Sasha Fierce. On the track “Hello,” the singer describes her admiration for her partner, a feeling she’s always had since they first met. Her stance is evident in the first verse as she sings, “I love to see you walk into the room / Body shining, lighting up the place / And when you talk, everybody stop / ‘Cause they know you know just what to say.”

In 2013, Beyoncé changed the music release strategy in a major way with her self-titled fifth album. The album was released on iTunes without any promotional announcements, and then physical copies were released a week later. It would herald the start of more artists taking the “surprise album” approach. One of the standout tracks on the album is “Blow,” a disco-inspired song that favors an ode to some bedroom activity. 

In 2016, Beyoncé released her critically acclaimed album Lemonade, which focuses on her journey and emotions while dealing with infidelity in her relationship. She teamed up with Jack White on her rock-infused track “Don’t Hurt Yourself.” On the track, Beyoncé knows how much she’s accomplished as an artist and knows that she’s one of one, but if her partner continues to betray her trust, she knows that she can easily replace him.  

Beyoncé and her husband Jay Z have collaborated several times throughout their careers, but it wasn’t until 2018 when they released their first joint album EVERYTHING IN LOVE. On the track “BOSS,” Bey and Jay describe their wealth and status, and how they’re not successful without the successful people that work with them. As Jay says in his verse, “It’s disturbing what I gross / Survey says you not even close / Everybody’s bosses ‘til it’s time to pay for the office / ‘Til them invoices separate the men from the boys.” 

People often have a certain image when it comes to church-going girls. On Beyoncé’s track “Church Girl,” she’s well-aware that she grew up in the church, but she encourages listeners that there’s nothing wrong with feeling liberated and letting loose sometimes. 

From its eerie and cinematic feel, the production of “6 Inch” is climatic in that it sounds like an instrumental that could be perfect for a movie. Beyoncé teamed up with The Weeknd on the track to describe a woman who’s all about making boss moves. As she sings on the bridge, “Too smart to crave material things / Stacking her paper, stacking her cake up / She grinds from Monday to Friday / Works from Friday to Sunday.” 

The number four has always held a big significance in Beyoncé’s life, such as her birthday being on September 4th. It’s no wonder that she titled her fourth album 4. She teamed up with The-Dream and Tricky Stewart on “1+1,” a powerful ballad that finds Beyoncé declaring her undying love to her soulmate. The song became a popular track for Beyoncé to perform on tour and it’s the type of song that puts people in their feelings. 

Beyoncé worked with Ryan Tedder and The-Dream on the pop-infused track “XO.” In the song, she emphasizes how people should love their partners and take advantage of their moments together because tomorrow isn’t promised. As she sings in the second verse, “We don’t have forever / Ooh, baby, daylight’s wasting / You better kiss me before our time has run out.” 

“Ya Ya” doesn’t sound like any track that Beyoncé has released before, mostly due to the production that sounds reminiscent of the music from the 1950s and 1960s eras. It could be because she sampled Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin’” and an interpolation of The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations.” On “Ya Ya,” Beyoncé uses the track to highlight the Black experience in America. 

Beyoncé, Shatta Wale, and Major Lazer encourage the king to take his rightful throne on “Already.” Not only does the song play into the plot of The Lion King, but the track could also be interpreted as being about leaders ruling the world. 

One thing about Beyoncé, she’s going to tell the world how much she’s in love with her man. On “Plastic Off the Sofa,” she reflects on the longevity of their relationship and how she and her partner can be their authentic selves around each other. 

The funky guitar bassline draws listeners into the song “Desert Eagle,” though it’s actually disappointing that it’s not a full-length song. On the track, Beyoncé showcases the pride and confidence in her physicality and sensuality. If Beyoncé has the extended version, fans would surely appreciate if she were to release it.