page_title: I Was Here (song)
section_title: Development and recording
hierarchical_section_title: I Was Here (song) / Development and recording
caption_attribution_description: Diane Warren appearing at 2009 Pop Conference, Experience Music Project, Seattle, Washington.
context_page_description: "I Was Here" is a song recorded by American R&B recording artist Beyoncé from her fourth studio album, 4. It was written by Diane Warren, while production was handled by OneRepublic members Ryan Tedder and Brent Kutzle, alongside Kuk Harrell; while Beyoncé is credited on the vocal production. "I Was Here" is a reflective R&B ballad, in which Beyoncé vulnerably reviews her past, wanting to leave an impact on the world before her life comes to an end. Described as a "career song" by Warren, its development was motivated by the September 11 attacks in the United States.
  Following the release of 4, "I Was Here" charted at number 131 on the UK Singles Chart, 74 on the Swiss Singles Chart, and 44 on the South Korea Gaon International Singles Chart in early July 2011. Later, in 2012, the song also appeared on several charts internationally.
  A music video for the song was released on August 19, 2012 and it features Beyoncé performing the song live at the United Nations General Assembly while images of volunteers doing humanitarian work were projected on the screen behind her.
context_section_description: "I Was Here" was written by Diane Warren and was produced by Ryan Tedder, Brent Kutzle, Beyoncé and Kuk Harrell. "I Was Here" is the only song on the record that was not co-written by Beyoncé. On June 1, 2011, Warren revealed in an interview for the New York Post's PopWrap that she wrote "the best [song she has] ever written" a week and a half ago and that Beyoncé had already recorded it for her fourth studio album 4. She described it as "a career song and probably my favorite thing I've ever written". The development of "I Was Here" was motivated by the September 11 attacks. Warren wanted to work with Beyoncé since the Destiny's Child eras, but admitted that "I Was Here" was the ideal timing, "I thought that the one artist who would be my dream to sing ['I Was Here'] would be Beyoncé. This is one of those magical stories where what is meant to be actually happens."
  In May 2011, Warren played the song on a guitar over the phone to Beyoncé's husband Jay-Z, who then called her. Upon hearing "I Was Here", Beyoncé got chills, and immediately made up her mind, "Oh my god, I have to have this song." September 2011 was going to mark the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks and Beyoncé thought that the song would perfectly complete her album, which had nearly reached completion. The mastering of 4 was delayed to allow Beyoncé to record the song. Warren was present at the recording sessions, which took place two days following her conversation with Beyoncé and Jay-Z on the phone. She said, "There's nothing better than to hear the song that you came up with [sung back]. It's like your heart found another heart", before adding:
  I've never had chills through my entire body like I had from hearing Beyoncé sing this song. 'I Was Here' came from my soul and became the song that was coming from hers. In all my life, I have never heard anything as amazing as this. Hearing her sing 'I Was Here' will forever be one of the best moments of my life, and I know that this song will touch many other lives as well.
caption: Diane Warren (pictured) wanted to work with Beyoncé since the Destiny's Child era, but admitted that "I Was Here" was the "perfect time".[1]
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