Top 10 Hardest Beyoncé Songs to Sing

This number is so full-out that it’s like a traffic light stuck on green— you’ve got to go, go, go until the very end. At first, the smooth and sultry intro might have you fooled that you’re in for an easy ride, but just wait for that first chorus to hit. There are so many layers to Bey’s voice, and keeping up with the constant tempo changes is no easy task. But if your range fits comfortably between C♯4 to F5, it really gives you a chance to show off what you can do. Just don’t get too comfortable if you plan to attempt those belted inserts in the final chorus.

Queen Bey entered her “Renaissance” era to bring joy to the world during a globally scary time. Sure, we couldn’t go to the clubs, but thanks to her, it sure felt like the clubs could come to us. Songs like “Heated” and “Plastic off the Sofa” certainly challenged our vocal chords. But arguably, nothing showcased Bey’s impressive and far-reaching talents quite like “Virgo’s Groove.” Just how does she make maneuvering such a vast vocal range sound so easy? She effortlessly goes from the most gravelly and soothing lows to the most mind blowing highs. It's hard to believe one person can demonstrate so many vocal shades. We think we’ll stick to bopping along to this one.

From those opening sirens, you know you’re in for quite a rollercoaster. The angry tones of a scorned lover set the vibe from the start, and you’d better be ready to keep that up until the very end. The vocals take the singer on a ride filled with explosions, powerful beats, moments of softness, and some impressive elongated notes. Plus, whether you can relate to the narrator’s heartache or not, you better sing it like you can. When you bring that all together, you have a vocally ambitious number that demands high stamina and all the energy you can muster. And don’t forget to convince your listeners that you’re not someone they want to cross.

At first listen, you might think this song is a breeze to sing. It’s got a steady pace, minimalist vibe and seems like a great number to just chill to. That is, until you actually try and sing along. Suddenly, you find yourself straining to match Bey’s higher falsetto and struggling to catch your breath while trying to imitate her breathiness. In short, much like the song’s title, you might sound like “No Angel.” But it’s not all bad news. Spin wrote that part of Bey’s charm on this track is that she’s “cool with being pitchy and imperfect”. So, if that describes your singing abilities too, don’t let us discourage you from giving this one a go.

“Listen” was among four new tracks written for the movie adaptation of the 1981 musical “Dreamgirls.” During this emotionally charged scene, Beyoncé’s character, Deena Jones, decides to leave her domineering husband and become an independent woman. Those are some intense emotions to relay, and the actual singing doesn’t make it any easier. This number will push your vocal range and chords to the very edge and perhaps beyond. But it demands nothing less. After all, this is the singer’s moment to shine and say she won’t be left in the shadows anymore. Look, you’re demanding that your audience “Listen”; nail this song, and you'll have them hooked on your every word.

Perhaps one of Bey’s more explicit numbers, “Drunk in Love” sees the singer join forces with her husband to describe their very erm… active personal life. But we’re not here to discuss the lyrics. The song doesn’t follow the usual verse-chorus-repeat structure and is filled with some pretty hard beats to hit. On top of that, you have to be able to manipulate your voice from raspy and sultry to loud and dominating— without just screaming the words. It also helps if you can rap. Indeed, the vocal versatility required here is next level. Still, it’s not just about hitting the notes; you’ll want to leave your audience feeling hot under the collar, too.

After a short hiatus from her solo career to focus on other projects, Beyoncé returned with her sophomore album and a message to all her fans that they ain’t seen nothing yet. “B’Day” seemed to be her way of showing everyone just how far she could stretch her voice. Take “Get Me Bodied”: it’s sharp and crisp and demands acute accuracy. Also, if you can sing in her register, you can easily have an arena full of people in a trance. However, the melody has a very specific and controlled rhythm that makes any missteps glaringly obvious. It demands 100% of your focus, so be sure to warm up first!

Even the most well-trained singer might approach this song cautiously. It’s exceptionally tricky and calls for all the strength and stamina you can muster. Beyoncé sings about being so in love that you lose control, which is exactly how this song can sound without the right command and balance. At some points, her voice rises so high that we imagine even lip-syncing along could be exhausting. If you want to give it a go, maybe work on your vocal and breath control first. Believe us: you’ll need it, especially when that last pre-chorus swoops in. We don’t know how Bey can master all that and dance. We can barely stay on track while standing still.

It takes a super talented artist to start their song with some mind-boggling vocal runs, but here we are. Yes, your vocal abilities are in the spotlight from the get-go. And not every singer can modulate quite like Beyoncé. It brings a layered quality to the number, allowing the singer to showcase impressive technique while still stirring something deep within their listeners. It covers various genres, each demanding its own skills and sounds— there’s really nothing quite like it. Also, the pace is practically guaranteed to raise your heart rate. Brave it if you will, but you might find yourself counting down until that final note is behind you.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Sandcastles,” “Lemonade” (2016)
It Demands You Give It Everything from the Deepest Depths of Your Soul - a Sturdy Larynx Doesn’t Hurt Either

“6 Inch” feat. the Weeknd, “Lemonade” (2016)
However Low Register You Think This Song Is, Take It Down Another 6 Inches

“Scared of Lonely,” “I Am... Sasha Fierce” (2008)
We’re Scared of Trying to Keep Up with Bey on This One

“Love On Top” is often considered not just one of Beyoncé’s hardest songs to nail, but also just one of the most challenging songs to sing. Period. So we’ll start by saying that if you don’t have her powerful vocal range and control, you might want to find another way to declare your love— this isn’t for the faint-hearted. Even if you can get your vocal chords around the higher notes, you could still get caught off guard by the numerous key changes. Okay, let’s say you’ve mastered all that. Can you match the power and vigor of Beyoncé’s performance? We need to lie down just thinking about it. Meanwhile, Beyoncé once sang this song for two. Meanwhile, Beyoncé once sang this song as a “duet.”