| "Best Thing I Never Had" | ||||
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| Single by Beyoncé | ||||
| from the album 4 | ||||
| Released | June 1, 2011 | |||
| Recorded | 2011 | |||
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| Length | 4:13 | |||
| Label | Columbia | |||
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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 and songwriter Beyoncé for her fourth studio album, 4 (2011). It was released by Columbia Records on June 1, 2011, as the second single from the album. "Best Thing I Never Had" was composed by Patrick "J. Que" Smith, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Symbolyc One, Caleb Sean McCampbell, Antonio Dixon, Beyoncé, and Shea Taylor. The song was originally not written as a ballad, but was inspired by the drumming on Doug E. Fresh's 1985 single "The Show". Beyoncé said that both men and women should be able to relate to the song.
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 Billboard Hot 100 chart and at number four on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It rose to number three on the UK Singles Chart and number two on the Irish Singles Chart among others. The song reached number one in Croatia as well as the South Korea Gaon International Chart, the UK R&B Chart, and the US Hot Dance Club Play chart. It was certified quadruple platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The accompanying music video for "Best Thing I Never Had" was directed by Diane Martel. It shows Beyoncé getting ready for her wedding while she recalls her ex-lover, who never gave her the attention she deserved. "Best Thing I Never Had" was promoted with several live performances by Beyoncé, notably at the 2011 Glastonbury Festival and on the televised ABC show The View. The song was also included on the set list for her concert 4 Intimate Nights with Beyoncé and other shows.