Irreplaceable (3:47)

“Irreplaceable” is a song recorded by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles for her second studio album, B’Day (2006). The song was written by Knowles, Shaffer “Ne-Yo” Smith, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, and produced by Stargate and Knowles herself. Originally not created for Knowles, it was initially presented as a country record. “Irreplaceable” then was turned into a mid-tempo pop ballad with R&B influences. Lyrically, the song refers to breaking up with an unfaithful man and consists of a female empowerment theme. The single was released on December 5, 2006, in the United States as the album’s third major release, and as the second single in most international music markets through Columbia Records.

“Irreplaceable” was generally well-received by music critics, some of them even called it the most memorable track on the album, and added that it manages to recapture Knowles’ debut single “Crazy in Love“‘s “near-perfection”. In 2009, Pitchfork Media and Rolling Stone ranked it on their respective lists of Best Songs of the 2000s decade. “Irreplaceable” won at the 2007 Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, and the 2007 Nickelodeon Kid’s Choice Award for Favorite Song. It was also nominated for Record of the Year in the 2008 Grammy Awards, and for Song of the Year at the VH1 Soul Vibe awards show.

“Irreplaceable” was a worldwide commercial success. It became Knowles’ second best-selling single in her solo career after “Crazy in Love” and B’Day’s most successful release. The single remained at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart for ten consecutive weeks.