Beautiful Liar

### Writer

Mikkel S. Eriksen • Tor Erik Hermansen • Amanda Ghost • Ian Dench • Beyoncé Knowles

## Video

Original videoQrOe2h9RtWI|209|252

**Beautiful Liar** is the first track from the deluxe version of Beyoncé's second studio album, B'Day. The song features Colombian singer-songwriter, Shakira.

## Background

The song was produced by Stargate and Knowles. The track had already been written in 2006. Eriksen and Hermansen played it to their manager, Tyran Smith, who said that it would be perfect for a duet between Shakira and Beyoncé. "Beautiful Liar" initially had a Spanish title and different lyrics. Hermansen re-titled it when he heard the line "beautiful liar" in one of the verses. When the production of the song was almost completed, it was presented to Beyoncé, who approved it. She added a few lines to the lyrics and recorded a solo version a few months before the release of the deluxe edition of *B'Day.* When Beyoncé invited Shakira to record a song for the re-release, she was touring and consequently had difficulties to match her schedule with Beyoncé's. A few months later, Shakira agreed to sing on the track. "Beautiful Liar" is a contemporary R&B and pop song. Lyrically, it speaks about two women who chose not to end a friendship because of a man who has cheated both of them.

## Release & Reception

"Beautiful Liar" was leaked onto the internet and appeared as an unpaid download in early February 2007. The song was sent to radio stations in the United States on February 12, 2007. Nick Levine of Digital Spy awarded "Beautiful Liar" three stars out of five and wrote that it "isn't as ridiculously overblown". However, he added that "it's as calculated as a wannabe page 3 model's decision to have a boob job", and that an accompanying music video will keep fans happy. The song debuted at number 94 on the US *Billboard* Hot 100 chart; most sales were digital downloads. The following week, it peaked at number three; this set a record for the largest upward movement in the history of the Hot 100 chart, until it was surpassed by Britney Spears's 2008 single "Womanizer", and Kelly Clarkson's 2009 single "My Life Would Suck Without You". Outside the US, "Beautiful Liar" reached number one in 32 countries.

## Lyrics

Oh, Beyonce, Beyonce

Oh, Shakira, Shakira (hey)

He said I'm worth it, his one desire

I know things about that him you wouldn't want to read about

He kissed me, his one and only, (yes) beautiful liar

Tell me how you tolerate the things you just found out about

You'll never know

Why are we the ones who suffer?

I have to let go

He won't be the one to cry

Let's not kill the karma

(Ay) Let's not start a fight

(Ay) It's not worth the drama

For a beautiful liar

(Oh) Can't we laugh about it?

(Oh) It's not worth our time

(Oh) We can live without him

Just a beautiful liar

I trusted him, but when I followed you

I saw you together

I didn't know about you then till I saw you with him again

I walked in on your love scene

Slow dancing

You stole everything, how could you say I did you wrong?

We'll never know

When the pain and heartbreak's over

Have to let go

The innocence is gone

Let's not kill the karma

(Ay) Let's not start a fight

(Ay) It's not worth the drama

For a beautiful liar

(Oh) Can't we laugh about it?

(Oh) It's not worth our time

(Oh) We can live without him

Just a beautiful liar

Tell me how to forgive you (ooh)

When it's me who's ashamed (oh)

And I wish I could free you

Of the hurt and the pain

But the answer is simple

He's the one to blame (hey)

Let's not kill the karma

(Ay) Let's not start a fight

(Ay) It's not worth the drama

For a beautiful liar

(Oh) Can't we laugh about it?

(Oh) It's not worth our time

(Oh) We can live without him

Just a beautiful liar