Beyoncé: The Songwriter Behind the Scenes
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter is widely considered one of the greatest entertainers of all time. As the lead singer of Destiny’s Child, she dominated the late 90s and early 2000s with hits like “Independent Women,” “Survivor,” and “Bootylicious.” Her solo career took off in the mid-2000s with iconic albums like “Dangerously in Love,” “B’Day,” and “I Am…Sasha Fierce.” She’s sold over 100 million records worldwide and won 28 Grammys, making her the most decorated female artist in Grammy history.

But beyond her incredible vocals, captivating performances, and undeniable stage presence, Beyoncé is also a tremendously talented songwriter. While she’s best known for penning her own chart-topping singles, many fans may be surprised to learn that Queen Bey has also lent her songwriting skills to songs for other artists. From collaborating with superstars like Eminem and Lady Gaga to writing for up-and-coming acts, Beyoncé has proven herself a versatile writer able to work in different genres.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the surprising songs Beyoncé had a hand in writing for other artists:

“Walk on Water” by Eminem feat. Beyoncé (2017)
One of Beyoncé’s most high-profile writing credits is for Eminem’s introspective ballad “Walk on Water” from his 2017 album “Revival.” On the track, Eminem reflects on his insecurities and struggles with fame and living up to expectations. Beyoncé lends her powerful vocals to the song’s emotional chorus.

According to interviews, Eminem wrote much of the song himself but brought in Beyoncé and Skylar Grey to help polish the lyrics and melody. Beyoncé’s contributions elevated the song, taking it from a good rap track to a truly memorable pop/hip-hop collaboration. Her vocals are soulful yet understated, letting Eminem’s raw lyrics take center stage.

The pairing of Eminem and Beyoncé was a risk that paid off – “Walk on Water” became one of the album’s biggest hits and showed that Beyoncé can seamlessly work within the hip-hop genre when writing for other artists. Her songwriting skills were a major factor in the song’s success.

“Telephone” by Lady Gaga feat. Beyoncé (2010)
Another massive collaboration was Beyoncé teaming up with Lady Gaga for the infectious dance track “Telephone” in 2010. The song was originally written for Britney Spears’ album “Circus” but ended up on Lady Gaga’s “The Fame Monster” with Beyoncé joining in.

According to Lady Gaga, the idea for “Telephone” came when she was in the studio with producer RedOne and they began playing around with a catchy hook. From there, Lady Gaga wrote the verses and brought in Beyoncé to contribute her songwriting talents as well. Together, they crafted the song’s sassy lyrics about a woman ignoring her boyfriend’s calls to party instead.

Beyoncé added her signature flow and style to the lyrics. Her rap verse in particular showed off her songwriting skills, weaving a story about “killing the chick” who was talking to her man. The lyrics were playful yet packed an attitude that perfectly matched the song’s vibes. “Telephone” went on to top charts worldwide and its music video is considered one of the most iconic pop culture moments of the 2010s. Beyoncé’s contributions as a writer were a key part of its success.

“Runnin’ (Lose It All)” by Naughty Boy feat. Beyoncé (2013)
In 2013, up-and-coming British producer Naughty Boy released the soulful ballad “Runnin’ (Lose It All)” featuring the vocals of Beyoncé. Beyond lending her powerful voice to the track, Beyoncé also co-wrote the song alongside Naughty Boy.

The song showcases Beyoncé’s impressive vocal range as she belts out the emotional lyrics. Her writing helped craft the song’s narrative about a woman struggling in a relationship and contemplating change. In interviews, Naughty Boy said Beyoncé worked with him in the studio to refine the melody and lyrics until they had the perfect version of the song.

While Naughty Boy had already begun working on the track, Beyoncé’s contributions as a co-writer elevated it to a whole new level. Her experience writing hits aided in polishing the song into a radio-ready ballad. “Runnin’ (Lose It All)” became Naughty Boy’s biggest hit to date and helped introduce his music to a mainstream audience thanks in part to Beyoncé’s involvement both vocally and creatively as a writer.

Additional Writing Credits
Beyoncé has lent her songwriting talents to many other artists over the years as well. Some other notable examples include:

“1+1” by Beyoncé feat. JAY-Z (2011) – Beyoncé co-wrote this sexy love song featured on her album “4.”

“Best Thing I Never Had” by Beyoncé (2011) – She wrote this empowering breakup anthem on her own.

“Diva” by Beyoncé (2009) – A sassy girl-power track from the album “I Am…Sasha Fierce.”

“If I Were a Boy” by Beyoncé (2008) – An introspective hit exploring gender roles that she co-wrote.

“Halo” by Beyoncé (2008) – Her biggest career-defining love song that she penned herself.

“Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé (2006) – This iconic breakup bop was solely written by Beyoncé.

Beyond these credits, Beyoncé has also written songs that have ended up on other artists’ albums but without official writing credits. Her talents clearly extend far beyond just her own discography.

Conclusion
Through collaborating with superstars like Eminem and Lady Gaga as well as working with up-and-coming acts, Beyoncé has proven herself a remarkably versatile songwriter able to work within different genres. Whether penning introspective ballads, dancefloor-ready anthems, or radio-friendly pop hits, she brings a unique style and expertise to any track she lends her skills to.

Beyoncé’s behind-the-scenes contributions don’t get as much attention or praise as her show-stopping performances. But her songwriting work has been a major factor in the success of not only her own music but the songs of other artists as well. Beyond just her vocals, Beyoncé’s creative talents as a songwriter are what truly set her apart as one of the greatest entertainers of all time.