Best Thing I Never Had
"Best Thing I Never Had" | ||||
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Single by Beyoncé | ||||
from the album 4 | ||||
Released | June 1, 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2011 | |||
Studio |
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Genre | ||||
Length | 4:13 | |||
Label | Columbia | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Beyoncé singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Best Thing I Never Had" on YouTube |
"Best Thing I Never Had" is a song recorded by American singer
A pop and R&B ballad, the subjects of "Best Thing I Never Had" are revenge and karma. Not wanting to feel broken-hearted, the female protagonist sings that she feels happy to have left her lover, who did not recognize the potential for a happy life with her. Some critics viewed it as a sequel to Beyoncé's 2006 single "Irreplaceable" as the two songs are thematically similar. However, some lyrics, including "showed your ass" and "sucks to be you right now", were criticized. The ballad was also likened to Vanessa Carlton's single "A Thousand Miles" (2002).
"Best Thing I Never Had" peaked at number 16 on the US
The accompanying
Writing and recording
Beyoncé and
Beyoncé's vocals were recorded at the KMA Studio in New York City.[2][3] When the trio played Beyoncé the demo of "Best Thing I Never Had", she immediately approved it after making slight modifications.[2] Smith says that Beyoncé was literally jumping up and down after hearing the demo.[2] One hour later Beyoncé recorded "Best Thing I Never Had" and two other songs.[2] Smith recalled that Beyoncé focused solely on the recording, ignoring hunger as she worked into the night.[2] Beyoncé has stated that every man and woman can relate to the song's subject matter because at one point, almost everyone ends a relationship because of lack of commitment by his or her partner.[7][8]
Artwork and release
A private listening party for Beyoncé's fourth studio album, 4, was held on May 12, 2011.
On May 27, 2011, Pittsburgh radio station
Composition and lyrical interpretation
"Best Thing I Never Had" is a
Kyle Anderson of
The song's lyrics are about the breakdown of a relationship between Beyoncé and her lover, a situation that suits both of them.[37] They also touch on revenge and karma, particularly the opening line, "What goes around comes back around", the lines "Best thing I never had", "Best thing you never had", and the closing line, "Sucks to be you right now".[37][38] Happy to have avoided heartbreak,[39][40] Beyoncé continues to sing about her ex-lover, who did not recognize the possibility of a happy relationship with Beyoncé until the relationship broke down.[4] Beyoncé no longer desires her lover after discovering his deceit;[1] as shown in the pre-chorus and chorus lines, "When I think of the time that I almost loved you / You showed your ass and I saw the real you / Thank God you blew it, I thank God I dodged a bullet / I’m so over you, so baby good looking out / I wanted you bad / I’m so through with that / Because honestly / You turned out to be the best thing I never had / And will always be the best thing you never had."[1][32]
In the second verse, Beyoncé continues to dismiss her former lover as she sings, "So sad, you're hurt / boo hoo ...", over a tinkling piano riff and bass drums.[19] She then chants the ascendant chorus,[41] which this time features soaring strings and an uplifting aggressive piano accompaniment.[19][42][43] Nadine Cheung of AOL Radio noted that though Beyoncé rips through the verses, she sings the chorus and bridge with restraint;[39] on the latter, she affirms that she has moved on in life.[44] The song ends as Beyoncé repeatedly sings, "What goes around comes back around / I bet it sucks to be you right now".[19]
Critical reception
"Best Thing I Never Had" received average to favorable reviews from music critics. Gerrick D. Kennedy of the "Best Thing I Never Had" finds Beyoncé mining the same kind of girl-power imagery as she did on 'Run the World (Girls)'. But there is something more direct and honest about the lyrics on the new single (perhaps it's the instant greatness of the line, 'When I think of the time I almost loved you / You showed your ass and I saw the real you'). 'Best Thing I Never Had' feels like the kind of crossover hit that will help 4 join the rest of Beyoncé's discography in multiplatinum land.[31]
Jessica Sinclair of
"Best Thing I Never Had" also received a few mixed and negative reviews. Amos Barshad of New York magazine wrote that the ballad borrows more heavily from Beyoncé's own 2006 single "Irreplaceable", and that "[this] can't be a bad thing". However, he noted that "this time in language ('Sucks to be you right now') agreeable to a nation of tweens and in a manner agreeable to anyone who likes yelping along in unison to ascendant pop choruses."[41] David Amidon of PopMatters wrote that lines like "showed your ass" and "it must suck to be you" exemplify lame lyrics. He concluded that, "[listeners] are wondering how such lame lyrics could be sung with such earnestness."[53] Alexis Petridis of The Guardian wrote that the most interesting thing about "Best Thing I Never Had" is the curious image evoked by the chorus' lyric, noting that everything seemed fine until "the protagonist's former amorata 'showed your ass'".[54] Music Week's Ben Cardew commented that its 1980s sound is "not a highlight".[55] A negative review came from Al Shipley of The Village Voice who wrote that "Best Thing I Never Had" and "Party" were "among the album's worst and most unrepresentative songs".[56]
Recognition
"Best Thing I Never Had" received a nomination for Record of the Year at the 2011
Chart performance
For the chart issue dated June 18, 2011, "Best Thing I Never Had" debuted at number 84 on the US
For the week ending June 18, 2011, "Best Thing I Never Had" debuted at number one on the
On June 13, 2011, the ballad debuted at number 29 on the
Before the song's official release in the United Kingdom, "Best Thing I Never Had" debuted at number three on the
Music video
Background and concept
"I wanted to do something a little brighter and so I thought it could be interesting to reenact a prom. I never got to go to my prom. I remember that awkward stage and usually you're attracted to the person that is not really thinking about you. The guy is kinda flirting with everybody else and you're kinda just sitting there shy and uncomfortable. I was that way when I was a teenager. [...] I never went to my prom, so now I get to have a prom, but my prom sucks."
– Knowles talking about the concept of the video.[7]
The music video for "Best Thing I Never Had" was directed by
It was a little strange. And definitely when I walked down the aisle I was like, 'This is kind of creepy — there’s some other man standing there!' It was really beautiful. People were all really excited like it was really my wedding. My mother was even like, 'Aww', and I was like, 'Mom, it's a video. This is not my dress. This is not the real wedding.' But I think it’s just one of those moments that every woman kind of fantasizes and relives.[100]
Beyoncé said that the wedding dress she wears in the video was a Baracci one, which she saw in a shop window a year ago when she was at the
Synopsis
The music video begins with Beyoncé preparing herself for her wedding ceremony. She is in her boudoir wearing a lacy corset and a lingerie combo with garters. As the song begins, Beyoncé looks towards the camera, addressing the viewer while affirming the subject of the song that she was the best he ever had. The video moves from Beyoncé playing with a tiara, a veil and tulle netting on a bed, to various stages of getting dressed. Between scenes, flash back scenes of Beyoncé in high school are shown. Beyoncé is seen with a high school boyfriend at their senior-prom night on May 16, 1998. As Beyoncé and her boyfriend dance, he becomes interested in another girl, leaving Beyoncé alone on the dance floor.[105] The video then returns to the present, with Beyoncé in her final preparations before her marriage. She is shown wearing a white gown and singing at sunset atop a grassy hill, followed by a scene of her walking down the aisle and exchanging vows. Her former lover is shown at the prom, deep in thought, with his prom king crown askew on his head. Beyoncé and her new husband are seen celebrating at a happy and well-attended reception. The groom removes the bride's garter with his teeth and they start dancing with their younger family members. The final scene features Beyoncé looking into the camera looking happy and satisfied. She walks off confidently to rejoin her wedding party and new husband, and then the screen fades to black.[105]
Reception
Entertainment Weekly's Adam B. Vary wrote that Beyoncé was "at her peak — in voice, in looks, in taste in opulent wedding gowns".
Erika Ramirez of Billboard magazine praised the video, "What better way to show your ex they're the best thing you never had than with saying 'I Do' to someone bigger and better in a Baracci Beverly Hills wedding gown."[112] Jason Lipshutz of the same publication described it as a "smile-inducing clip with a dream wedding".[113] A writer of Rap-Up praised the video's "fairytale" ending.[114] Gordon Smart of Ashleigh Rainbird of the Daily Mirror found Beyoncé, "looking sexy in white lacy undies and garter – and later in a Big Fat Gypsy Wedding-style frock".[115] Amos Barshad of New York magazine commented, "To just full-on hammer down the whole 'mature and settled down and happy' thing, Mrs. Hova saunters around with the most irrepressible smile you've ever seen, shimmying amazingly (note the moves at 3:30) as home footage of that jerk she threw away like a parking ticket cuts in and out."[116] The music video peaked at number one on the UK TV Airplay Chart, logging 634 plays on July 24, 2011.[92]
Alternate video
On July 26, 2011, Beyoncé announced plans to make an alternative music video for "Best Thing I Never Had ". She asked her fans to send pictures from their weddings or prom day experiences, which would be included in a re-edited version of the video. This alternate video was scheduled for release in September 2011.[117][118] However, it premiered on October 11, 2011, on Celebuzz.[119] Charli Penn of Essence magazine praised the alternate video for "Best Thing I Never Had" calling it a "must-see" video and adding that "it has already become a huge hit with fans".[120]
Live performances
Wearing a pink fringe dress, Beyoncé performed "Best Thing I Never Had" live for the first time during her concert at
Beyoncé performed "Best Thing I Never Had" on
Other versions and cover versions
Smith posted the original version of the song on his website, The Super Random, on July 28, 2011.[5][6] On August 18, 2011, rappers and producers Lil Jon and Shawty Putt revealed their DJ Kontrol Remix of "Best Thing I Never Had". The song was remixed to incorporate elements of funk and hip hop genres, according to Rap-Up.[135] Lil Jon mixed Beyoncé's vocals over a sample of The Gap Band’s 1982 single, "Outstanding".[135] This remix features percussive beats and a rap verse by Putt.[135]
Formats and track listings
- Digital download[17]
- "Best Thing I Never Had" – 4:12
- German CD single[20]
- "Best Thing I Never Had" – 4:13
- "Run the World (Girls)" (Kaskade Club Remix) – 5:03
- Digital Remixes EP[22]
- "Best Thing I Never Had" (Gareth Wyn Remix) – 6:33
- "Best Thing I Never Had" (Olli Collins & Fred Portelli Remix) – 6:23
- "Best Thing I Never Had" (Billionaire Remix) – 4:40
- "Best Thing I Never Had" (Moguai Remix) – 6:17
Credits and personnel
Credits adapted from 4 liner notes.[3]
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Charts
Weekly charts
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Monthly charts
Year-end charts
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Certifications
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[185] | 4× Platinum | 280,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[186] | Diamond | 250,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[187] | 2× Platinum | 160,000‡ |
Germany (BVMI)[188] | Gold | 150,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ)[189] | Gold | 7,500* |
South Korea Digital |
— | 1,011,224[a] |
Sweden (GLF)[191] | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[192] | 2× Platinum | 1,200,000‡ |
United States (RIAA)[193] | 3× Platinum | 3,000,000‡ |
* Sales figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | June 1, 2011 | Digital download | ||
Italy | June 3, 2011 | Radio airplay
|
Sony Music | |
United Kingdom | July 3, 2011 | Digital download | RCA | |
Germany | July 29, 2011 | CD | Sony Music | |
Australia | September 2, 2011 | Digital download (EP) |
See also
- List of number-one dance singles of 2011 (U.S.)
- List of UK R&B Chart number-one singles of 2011
- List of number-one international songs of 2011 (South Korea)
- List of UK top 10 singles in 2011
Notes
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The song crossed the 5 million sales mark worldwide as of June 2015 becoming one of the best Singles of all time
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