Irreplaceable

Infobox Single
Name = Irreplaceable


Border = Yes
Artist = Beyoncé Knowles
Album = B'Day
Released = October 26, 2006 (UK)
November 4, 2006 (Australia)
December 5, 2006 (US)
Format = CD single, digital download, maxi single, 12" single
Recorded = 2006
Sony Music Studios, New York City, New York
Genre = R&B, pop
Length = 3:47
Label = Columbia
Writer = Shaffer "Ne-Yo" Smith Beyoncé Knowles, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund
Producer = Stargate, Beyoncé Knowles, Ne-Yo (co-producer)
Certification = 3× platinum (RIAA)
Platinum (ARIA)
Last single = "Upgrade U"
(2006)
This single = "Irreplaceable"
(2006)
Next single = "Listen"
(2006)

"Irreplaceable" is a song by American R&B singer Beyoncé Knowles. The song was written by Knowles, Ne-Yo, Tor Erik Hermansen, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjørklund, and co-produced by Stargate and Knowles for her second solo album, "B'Day" (2006). Originally not created for Knowles, she re-arranged the demo presented by the producers—a country-turned-contemporary R&B-pop song. The lyrics refer to breaking up with an unfaithful man, part of Knowles and Ne-Yo's vision of creating a record that people could relate to, and was considered an anthem to female empowerment.

Following the less successful chart performances of "Déjà Vu" and "Ring the Alarm", "Irreplaceable" was released on December 5, 2006 in the United States as the album's third single, and the second single in most international music markets. "Irreplaceable" was a worldwide commercial and critical success, becoming Knowles' second best-selling single in her solo career after "Crazy in Love" and "B'Day"'s most successful release. The single performed well on the US "Billboard" Hot 100, remaining at the top spot for ten consecutive weeks. Certified multi-platinum, "Irreplaceable" is the US' best-selling single in 2007, and its addition to Knowles' achievements established her among the most successful American female artists and songwriters to date. Months after the single's release, the song is still on the "Billboard" Hot Ringtones chart.

"Irreplaceable" was lauded by contemporary critics, citing its distinct production compared with most tracks featured on the album. The song won awards, including one during the 2007 Soul Train Music Award. The single's music video features the debut performance of Knowles' all-female band Suga Mama, and earned Knowles additional awards.

Background and inspiration

What happens sometimes, is you think about a specific artist and you put them in this box, the song has to be this way or that, and then you're usually confining yourself to the thing they did three years ago.

—Tor Erik Hermansen, MTV NewsCite news |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |title=Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable' Could Have Gone Country: Behind The Grammys |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1580808/20080201/knowles_beyonce.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=2008-02-05 |accessdate=2008-02-08]

"Irreplaceable" was originally not made for Knowles. Norwegian production team Stargate and American R&B-pop singer-songwriter Ne-Yo had been writing for her second solo album "B'Day"; but Tor Erik Hermansen of Stargate stated that "they might not have gone in the direction they did on the song". The tune was originally not matched to Knowles' voice, and Ne-Yo wrote the lyrics from a male perspective, which he revealed not from his personal experiences. Written as country song, he was thinking of country-based singers Shania Twain and Faith Hill during the sessions.Cite web |last=Morales |first=Wilson |title=Stomp The Yard: An Interview with NEYO |url=http://www.blackfilm.com/20070105/features/neyo.shtml |work=BlackFilm.com |date=2007-01-12 |accessdate=2008-01-28] When Ne-Yo heard them playing the song with a guitar, he thought it sounded like country western music. But when the drums were incorporated to the tune, it was brought to R&B vibe, and Ne-Yo considered making an R&B-country western music song.

When the team worked with him, they recorded the song with male on vocals. However, they thought of a female's vocal more suitable, and Ne-Yo also thought that it is empowering for a woman singing it. [Cite web |last=Shastri |first=Rashmi |title=Ne-Yo |url=http://www.britishhiphop.co.uk/features/interviews/ne-yo.html |work=Britishhiphop.co.uk |date=2007-04-14 |accessdate=2007-12-25] While Knowles was working on material for "B'Day" after filming "Dreamgirls", she heard the demo of the song that was presented to her, and was pleased with it. Knowles asked for changes in the track, including the addition of drums, vocal arrangements, and singing the song in higher note than the demo. Espen Lind and Amund Bjørklund, from the Norwegian production team Espionage, wrote the chord structure and came up with the guitar part.Cite album-notes |title=B'Day deluxe edition |publisher=Sony Music BMG Entertainment |year=2007] The recording was engineered by Jim Caruana and mixed by Jason Goldstein at Sony Music Studios in New York City.

After the sessions for "Irreplaceable" ended, Hermansen said that "everyone felt they had captured something special and that Beyoncé had done the track justice". "We all felt it was a hit" says Gousse. In an interview, Ne-Yo said, "Beyoncé had some stuff that she wanted to get off her chest", [Cite news |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title=Singer, Dancer, Girl-Power Ally? Beyonce Brings Out New Side Of Ne-Yo |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1546805/20061129/ne_yo.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=2006-12-01 |accessdate=2007-12-25] while also aiming to make a record that women could relate to, in keeping the theme of the album. [Cite web |last=Williams |first=Ben |title=Beyoncé Takes Over: Look past the movies and the new fashion line—she’s making the best music of her career. |url=http://nymag.com/guides/fallpreview/2006/music/19735/ |work=New York Guides |publisher=New York Media Holdings LLC. |date=2006-08-27 |accessdate=2008-02-10]

Composition

multi-listen item
filename=IrreplaceableSample.ogg
title="Irreplaceable"
description="Irreplaceable" uses instrumentation from 808, acoustic guitar and cello, resulting to a combination of pop, ballad, country and R&B genres.
format=Ogg

"Irreplaceable" is a mid-tempo pop song, with ballad and R&B influences. Written in the key of B♭ major,Sheet music for "Irreplaceable". Sony/ATV Music Publishing (2005).] the beat is set in common time and moves at a moderate 88 bpm. Knowles vocal range spans nearly an octave and a half, from B♭₃ to E♭₅. While most of the songs in the album are aggressive and uptempo, her voice in "Irreplaceable" is toned down.Cite web |last=D. |first=Spence |title=Beyonce - B'Day: Sophomore slump narrowly avoided. |url=http://uk.music.ign.com/articles/730/730624p1.html |work=IGN |date=2006-09-05 |accessdate=2008-02-03]

"Irreplaceable" uses a gently strummed acoustic guitar,Cite web |last=Sanneh |first=Kelefa |title=Beyoncé Bounces Back: Film, Album and Warning |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/23/arts/music/23sann.html?_r=1&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/J/Jay-Z&oref=slogin |work=The New York Times |date=2006-11-23 |accessdate=2007-12-25] following the B♭₅-F₅-Cm₇-E♭_6/9 chord series. Hermansen combined the classic chord progression on an acoustic guitar, a modern-sounding 808 drumbeat and cellos. Al Shipley of Stylus Magazine noted that the guitar strum was copied in Barbadian R&B singer Rihanna's 2007 single "Hate That I Love You", a song co-produced by Stargate and Ne-Yo. [Cite web |last=Shipley |first=Al |title=Rihanna ft. Ne-Yo - Hate That I Love You and a song whose video also features Rihanna in a bra and skirt, an idea taken from Beyonce's performance in Irreplaceable's video. |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/jukebox/?p=829 |work=Stylus Magazine |date=2007-08-29 |accessdate=2008-01-31] A 2007 Stargate-produced single "With You" performed by American R&B-pop singer Chris Brown also features the same element, which Rob Sheffield of "Rolling Stone" magazine wrote that "Stargate was just trying to roll out 'Irreplaceable' one more time", [Cite web |last=Sheffield |first=Rob |title=Album Reviews: Chris Brown |url=http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/kanyewest/albums/album/17078333/review/17139273/exclusive |work=Rolling Stone |accessdate=2008-03-29] while a review from "Billboard" magazine said that it "leans a bit too heavily" to the song. [Cite web |title=Exclusive: Chris Brown |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/content_display/reviews/albums/e3ia9c51f5ef29150aaaa933342e8fa1ad2 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=2008-03-29]

"Irreplaceable" refers to a woman breaking up with a boyfriend after she found him cheating, and the lyrics were considered a statement of independence. Hermansen quoted that "it's a song people from all walks of life can enjoy", while Knowles stated that it is "a little honest".cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Star Jones |title=CNN Larry King Live: Interview With Beyonce
url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0704/02/lkl.01.html |work=Cable News Network |date=2007-04-02 |accessdate=2008-02-09] When interviewed about the song, she replied: "Basically we can't forget our power and our worth. And sometimes ... you're so in love, you forget that. And sometimes you feel like you're not being ... appreciated. And ... sometimes they forget that they can be replaced." Bill Lamb of About noted that the female empowerment theme of "Irreplaceable" has similarities to the central concept of Terry McMillan's 1995 novel "Waiting to Exhale".cite web |last=Lamb |first=Bill |title=Single Review: Beyonce - Irreplaceable |url=http://top40.about.com/od/singles/gr/irreplaceable.htm |work=About.com |accessdate=2007-12-28]

The song's lyrics are constructed in the verse-pre-chorus-chorus form. Starting with a guitar strum, Knowles sings the hook-intro "To the left, to the left", repeating for three times in alternating bars. In bar seven, she sings the first verse, arguing her boyfriend about the indifference of their relationship, and telling him to walk away. The pre-chorus and chorus follows, giving way to the second verse where she recollects the moment she found her boyfriend unfaithful to her. The same pattern occurs, leading to the second chorus. Towards the end, Knowles sings the bridge. She repeats the intro and the chorus, ending with an ad-libbed chorus.

Release and live performances

Following "B'Day"'s lead single "Déjà Vu", "Irreplaceable" was released as the second single in international markets through Columbia Records. Two single versions were released in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2006: a standard CD single, which features the album version of the track and the Freemasons club mix radio edit of "Ring the Alarm"; and an enhanced CD, containing the album version, three "Ring the Alarm" remixes and "Ring the Alarm" music video.Cite news |title=Irreplaceable out now!! |url=http://www.rcalabelgroup.co.uk/artist_spotlight/Beyonce/3819/65/ |work=RCA Label Group (UK) |date=2006-10-26 |accessdate=2008-02-08] A 12" single was released in the same country the following week. In Australia, a maxi single was released on November 4, 2006, featuring the album version and two remixes of "Déjà Vu".

In the United States, "Irreplaceable" served as "B'Day"'s third single, following "Ring the Alarm". The single was released on December 5, 2006, featuring the album and instrumental version of the track. [Cite web |title=Irreplaceable |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/more.jsp?tp=singles&pid=317670&aid=820863 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=2008-02-08] Knowles recorded a Spanish version of the song called "Irreemplazable", and was included in the second disc of the deluxe edition of "B'Day" released on June 12, 2007. [Cite web |title=Beyonce: Discography |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/more.jsp?tp=singles&pid=317670&aid=1097735#artAlbumMoreContainer |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=2008-02-08] An "Irreemplazable" EP was released in the United States on August 28, 2007Cite news |last=Ben-Yehuda |first=Ayala |title=Beyonce To Release 'Irreemplazable' As Wal-Mart Exclusive |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/genre/e3i590ca1c25f7cbb36795c3cdbea3208ee |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |date=2007-07-31 |accessdate=2008-02-08] and on September 10 in the United Kingdom.Cite web |title=Irreemplazable |url=http://www.rcalabelgroup.co.uk/releases/562/ |work=RCA Label Group (UK) |date=2007-09-10 |accessdate=2008-02-08] The EP includes "Irreemplazable" and the Norteña Remix of "Irreplaceable", "Amor Gitano", three versions of "Beautiful Liar", the Timbaland remix of "Get Me Bodied" featuring Voltio, and "Oye", the Spanish version of "Listen".

The song was performed in various public appearances of Knowles. She opened the 2006 American Music Awards performing "Irreplaceable". [Cite news |author=Associated Press |title=Black Eyed Peas Top American Music Awards With 3 Wins |url=http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,231141,00.html |work=FOX News |date=2006-11-22 |accessdate=2008-02-08] American country band Sugarland, who was known for covering Knowles' songs in their live performances, was joined by the singer for a performance of the country version of "Irreplaceable" at the 2007 American Music Awards. [Cite news |author=NME Los Angeles staff |title=Beyonce gives surprise performance at Music Awards |url=http://www.nme.com/news/beyonce/32602 |work=NME |publisher=IPC MEDIA |date=2007-11-19 |accessdate=2008-02-08] [Cite news |last=Kaufman |first=Gil |title=Daughtry, Carrie Underwood Stage 'Idol' Takeover At American Music Awards; Usher Offers Support To Kanye |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1574605/20071119/daughtry__chris.jhtml |publisher=MTV News |date=2006-11-19 |accessdate=2008-02-08] "Irreplaceable" was the closing song during her 2007 The Beyoncé Experience world tour. It was originally performed towards the end of the set in earlier tour dates, but was shifted when she embarked on the United States leg. The footage of the performance at the Staples Center, Los Angeles was included in "The Beyoncé Experience Live!" DVD.

Critical reception

While most of the tracks featured in "B'Day" are upbeat, "Irreplaceable" was well received by critics for its guitar-driven melody. Bill Lamb of the website About complimented Stargate for the "simple, pop-oriented production", and listed on the site as their fourth best R&B song of 2006. [cite web |last=Nero |first=Mark Edward |title=10 Best R&B Songs of 2006 |url=http://randb.about.com/od/top5lists/tp/2006TopSingles.htm |work=About.com |accessdate=2006-12-28] For a review in "Entertainment Weekly" magazine, Jody Rosen said the track is "a lilting tune unlike anything Beyoncé has ever performed". [cite web |last=Rosen |first=Jody |title=Music Review: B'Day (2006) - Beyonce Knowles |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/review/music/0,6115,1516025_4_0_,00.html |work=Entertainment Weekly |date=2006-09-01 |accessdate=2006-12-28] Sarah Rodman of "The Boston Globe" wrote that the song is "gentle but maddeningly hook-y", [Cite web |last=Rodman |first=Sarah |title=Beyonce shows rage and range on new release |url=http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2006/09/04/beyonce_shows_rage_and_range_on_new_release/ |work=The Boston Globe |publisher=The New York Times Company |date=2006-09-04 |accessdate=2008-01-28] and Bill Lamb called it a "gorgeous, lightly swinging Stargate arrangement". [Cite web |last=Lamb |first=Bill |title=Beyonce - B'Day: Beyonce Steps Several Steps Forward on Her B'Day |url=http://top40.about.com/od/albums/fr/beyoncebday.htm |work=About.com |accessdate=2008-02-10] Spence Abbott of the website IGN observed that "Irreplaceable", alongside "Resentment", "go for a much more traditional contemporary R&B vibe" compared to the other tracks in the album, and stated that it made them "stand out as if they were recorded separately from the rest of the album".

Lamb listed "Irreplaceable" on their site as one of the strongest tracks in the album, and noted it as "subject matter of female strength and independence". The indie-oriented website Pitchfork Media called the song as Knowles' "most sophisticated" and her "most honest performance" to date. [cite web |last=Finney |first=Tim |title=Record Reviews: Beyoncé - B'Day |url=http://pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/38328/Beyonc%C3%A9_BDay |work=Pitchfork Media |date=2006-09-07 |accessdate=2007-01-24] Barry Schwartz of Stylus Magazine wrote that "Irreplaceable" recaptured Knowles' debut single "Crazy in Love"'s "near-perfection and features her most genuinely emotional vocal to date, equal parts vulnerable, upset, pissed off, vindictive, resigned, and apathetic". [cite web |last=Schwartz |first=Barry |title=Top 50 Singles of 2006 |url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/articles/weekly_article/stylus-magazines-top-50-singles-of-2006.htm |work=Stylus Magazine |date=2006-12-11 |accessdate=2006-12-28]

"Irreplaceable" won at the 2007 Soul Train Music Award for Best R&B/Soul Single, Female,Cite news |last=Mitchel |first=Gail |title=Hudson, Beyonce Star At Soul Train Awards |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003556868 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |date=2007-03-12 |accessdate=2008-03-19] and the 2007 Nickelodeon Kid's Choice Award for Favorite Song. [Cite news |last=Finn |first=Natalie |title=Beyoncé Apparel Suit Unravels |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=235be4b5-3771-42fb-9c1b-ece40cfbc3ae |work=E! Online News |pwblisher=E! Entertainment Television, Inc. |date=2007-04-02 |accessdate=2008-01-30] It was nominated for Record of the Year in the 2008 Grammy Awards, [Cite news |last=Nudd |first=Tim |title=Kanye West, Amy Winehouse Lead Grammy Nods |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20164684,00.html |work=People |publisher=Time Inc. |date=2007-12-06 |accessdate=2008-01-30] as well Song of the Year at the VH1 Soul Vibe awards show. [Cite news |title=Beyoncé and Jay-Z Lead the Pack of ASCAP Members Nominated for VH1 Soul Vibe Awards |url=http://www.ascap.com/eventsawards/awards/vh1soulvibe/2007/nominees.html |work=ASCAP |accessdate=2008-01-30]

Chart performance

During the production of "Irreplaceable", Hermansen thought that the track would not receive radio play because of its acoustic guitars, and deemed the song too pop-oriented. Hermansen did not expect "Irreplaceable" to conform to any genre. Despite his prediction, the song became successful on urban charts; it was played in New York- and country-based radio stations. "Irreplaceable" entered various charts worldwide, and became the most successful single released from "B'Day".

The single debuted on the US "Billboard" Hot 100 on November 4, 2006 at number eighty-seven. [Cite web |title=Billboard Hot 100 |url=http://acharts.us/billboard_hot_100/2006/44 |work=αCharts |date=2006-11-04 |accessdate=2008-01-11] It climbed the charts rapidly because of heavy airplay, and received the Greatest Airplay Gainer certification for six consecutive weeks in early December 2006.Cite news |last=Hasty |first=Katie |title=Beyonce Makes It Ten Weeks At No. 1 With 'Irreplaceable' |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003543450 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |date=2007-02-08 |accessdate=2008-01-11] [Cite news |last=Hasty |first=Katie |title=Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable' Secures Second Week At No. 1 |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003521812 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |date=2006-12-14 |accessdate=2008-03-24] Three weeks after its release, it helped "B'Day" re-enter the top ten on the "Billboard" 200. The single peaked at number one on December 16, becoming Knowles' fourth number-one single as solo artist, [Cite news |last=Hasty |first=katie |title=Beyonce 'Irreplaceable' At No. 1 On Hot 100 |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003494152 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |date=2006-12-07 |accessdate=2008-03-24] and her second in 2006, following "Check on It" featuring Slim Thug. The single spent ten consecutive weeks at the top spot,Cite web |title="Irreplaceable" Global Chart Positions and Trajectories |url=http://acharts.us/song/11218 |work=αCharts |accessdate=2007-12-27] and was replaced by Canadian singer Nelly Furtado's 2006 single "Say It Right" on February 24, 2007.Cite news |last=Cohen |first=Jonathan |title=Nelly Furtado scores 2nd No. 1 on singles chart |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/sphereNews/idUSN1526033320070215?sp=true&view=sphere |work=Billboard |publisher=Reuters |date=2007-02-15 |accessdate=2008-02-07] The feat was achieved since 2006 after Kanye West's 2005 single "Gold Digger" featuring Jamie Foxx took ten weeks at the top spot. "Irreplaceable" outperformed "Baby Boy"'s nine-week record; however, it failed to surpass her former group Destiny's Child's 2000 single "Independent Women Part I", which stayed on the top spot for eleven weeks late in 2000 and early in 2001. On the list of most number-one singles by a female song-writer, "Irreplaceable" installed Knowles at the third place, beating American singers Janet Jackson and Carole King and tying Diane Warren for nine number-one singles. Knowles received three song-writing credits in a single year, the only woman to achieve since King in 1971 and Carey in 1991. [Cite web |last=Bronson |first=Fred |title=Chart Beat Chat |url=http://billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003494790 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |date=2006-12-08 |accessdate=2008-02-07] The single remained on the chart for thirty weeks, and was certified 3x platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America on July 27, 2007. [Cite web |title=Gold and Platinum |url=http://www.riaa.com/goldandplatinumdata.php?resultpage=1&table=SEARCH_RESULTS&action=&title=Irreplaceable&artist=&format=&debutLP=&category=&sex=&releaseDate=&requestNo=&type=&level=&label=&company=&certificationDate=&awardDescription=&catalogNo=&aSex=&rec_id=&charField=&gold=&platinum=&multiPlat=&level2=&certDate=&album=&id=&after=&before=&startMonth=1&endMonth=1&startYear=1958&endYear=2008&sort=Artist&perPage=25 |work=Recording Industry Association of America |accessdate=2008-01-31] "Irreemplazable" charted equally well, peaking at number four on the Hot Latin Songs.Cite web |title=Beyoncé: Billboard Singles |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=BEYONCE&sql=11:axfuxq8jld6e~T51 |work=Allmusic |publisher=Macrovision Corporation |accessdate=2008-01-30] The EP appeared on the Latin Pop Albums at number two, Top Latin Albums at number three, Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums at number forty-one and on the "Billboard" 200 at number 105. [Cite web |title=Beyoncé: Billboard Albums |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=BEYONCE&sql=11:axfuxq8jld6e~T50 |work=Allmusic |publisher=Macrovision Corporation |accessdate=2008-02-08] [Cite web |title=Beyoncé: Artist Chart History |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums&model.vnuArtistId=317670&model.vnuAlbumId=1089064 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=2008-02-08] "Irreplaceable" was the US' best-selling single in 2007, beating Rihanna's 2007 single "Umbrella". [Cite news |author=Billboard staff reporter |title=The Year In Charts 2007: An Early Peek |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003685264 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |date=2007-12-13 |accessdate=2007-12-28] [Cite web |title=Billboard 2007: The Year in Music - The Billboard Hot 100 |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/2007/charts/hot100.html |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc |accessdate=2007-12-28]

Internationally, "Irreplaceable" received similar responses from music markets. Across Oceania, the single reached number one on the Australian Singles Chart, becoming Knowles' first number-one single in the country, and remained on the top spot for three weeks. "Irreplaceable" was certified platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association for selling 70,000 copies, [Cite web |title=ARIA Charts - Accreditations - 2007 Singles |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/httpwww.aria.com.aupagesARIACharts-Accreditations-2007Singles.htm |work=Recording Industry Association of America |accessdate=2008-01-30] and was the forty-second best-selling single in Australia. [Cite web |title=ARIA Charts - End Of Year Charts - Top 100 Singles 2007 |url=http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-100-singles-2007.htm |work=Recording Industry Association of America |accessdate=2008-01-30] The single debuted at number three on November 6 on the New Zealand Singles Chart, and was "Irreplaceable"'s highest entry; it peaked at number one, and charted for eighteen weeks. "Irreplaceable" peaked at number four in the United Kingdom, and generally inside the top fifteen across European music markets.

Music video

"Irreplaceable" was directed by Anthony Mandler, who co-directed the video of "Get Me Bodied". The video features the debut performance of Knowles' all-female band, Suga Mama, who also appeared in the "Green Light" music video. Her acting-then-ex-boyfriend in the video is model Bobby Roache, who played police officer for the "Ring the Alarm" music video and warrior during Jay-Z and Knowles' live performance at the 2006 Fashion Rocks show.Cite news |last=Reid |first=Shaheem |title=Beyonce's 'Irreplaceable' Guy Had A Tough Time Getting Dumped: VMA Lens Recap |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1568975/20070905/knowles_beyonce.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=2007-09-06 |accessdate=2008-01-30] The video was included on the 2007 "B'Day Anthology Video Album", and a video edit was produced for "Irreemplazable". Part of the video which shows Knowles dancing in silhouette in front of a glass door is inspired by a James Bond movie. [Cite news |last=Weinstein |first=Farrah |title=James Bond's Women: Five Decades Of Treacherous Hotties And Their Spywear |url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1545872/20061115/story.jhtml |work=MTV News |date=2006-11-16 |accessdate=2008-04-09] Late in January 2008, "Irreemplazable" premiered on the MiTRL, a video countdown show on the bilingual channel MTV Tr3s. [Cite news |last=Ayala |first=Ben-Yehuda |title=Beyonce enjoys Spanish-language crossover hit |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUSN2738638520070128?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0&sp=true |work=Billboard |publisher=Reuters |date=2007-01-27 |accessdate=2008-02-09]

The music video follows the storyline of the song's lyrics. "She told me to pack up all my stuff, I'm getting kicked out — the video starts off like that", said Roache. Mid-way in the video, Knowles follows her then-ex boyfriend outside the house and leans on a 2007 Jaguar XK. She appears to be pretentiously caressing him; only to find out she would be collecting things she bought for him. He leaves her and the car, about to ride off in a taxi. Between cuts, Knowles manages herself in front of a mirror; putting on a lipstick, wearing huge curlers and a high-waisted skirt. Towards the end of the video, she sings with her all-female band. It ends with Knowles greeting her new boyfriend at the front door.

At the 2007 Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards, Knowles won Video of the Year Award for "Irreplaceable", an award "Beautiful Liar" was nominated. [Cite news |last=Grossberg |first=Josh |title=Beyoncé Bests BET Noms |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=16f33094-d561-47b5-8599-82baa8fd4a33 |work=E! Online News |publisher=E! Entertainment Television, Inc. |date=2007-05-17 |accessdate=2008-01-30] [Cite news |last=BET.com Staff |title=BET Awards 2007 Winners |url=http://www.bet.com/Music/News/BET+Awards+2007+Winners.htm?wbc_purpose=Basic&WBCMODE=PresentationUnpublished |work=BET |date=2007-06-26 |accessdate=2008-01-30] It was nominated for Video of the Year during the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, [Cite news |last=Kristin |first=Boehm |title=Justin Timberlake, Beyoncé Top VMA Nominations |url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20050372,00.html |work=People |publisher=Time Inc. |date=2007-08-07 |accessdate=2008-01-30] but was beaten by Rihanna's single "Umbrella".Cite web |title=2007 VMA | Winners |url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2007/winners.jhtml |work=MTV |accessdate=2008-01-30] At the 2007 Soul Train Music Awards, the video was nominated for the Michael Jackson Award for Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video, but lost to rapper Jay-Z's "Show Me What You Got" video. [Cite news |last=Mitchel |first=Gail |title=Beyonce Reigns Over Soul Train Nominations |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003542408 |work=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |date=2007-02-06 |accessdate=2008-03-19]

Track listings and formats

These are the formats and track listings of the major single releases of "Irreplaceable":

;Australian maxi single
#"Irreplaceable" (Album version)
#"Déjà Vu" (Freemasons club mix)
#"Déjà Vu" (Remix)

;UK CD Single
#"Irreplaceable" (Album version)
#"Ring the Alarm" (Freemasons club mix radio edit)

;U.S. CD single
#"Irreplaceable" (Album version)
#"Irreplaceable" (Instrumental version)

Credits and personnel

*Vocals: Beyoncé Knowles
*Writer(s): Beyoncé, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjorklund and Ne-Yo
*Producer(s): Stargate, Beyoncé
**Co-production: Ne-Yo
*A&R: Max Gousse (Music World Productions Inc.)
*Recording: Jim Caruana
**Assistant: Rob Kinelski
*Mixing: Jason Goldstein
**Assistant: Steve Tolle
*Guitars: Espen Lind
*All other instruments: Eriksen and Hermansen
*Stargate management: Tim Blacksmith and Danny D.

Charts

{|class="wikitable sortable"!align="left"|Chart (2006)!align="center"|Peak
position
-
align="left"|Italian Singles Chart¹
align="center"|3
-
align="left"|New Zealand RIANZ Singles Chart
align="center"|1
-
align="left"|Norwegian Singles Chart
align="center"|8
-
align="left"|Polish National Top 50
align="center"|2
-
align="left"|Portuguese Singles Chart
align="center"|2
-
align="left"|Swiss Singles Chart
align="center"|9
-
align="left"|Swedish Singles Chart
align="center"|12
-
align="left"|Turkey "(Billboard)" Singles Chart [ [http://www.billboard.com.tr/pages/Turkiye_top20.aspx Billboard Türkiye Top 20 Chart] Retrieved on December 2006 Billboard Türkiye Magazine.]
align="center"|1
-
align="left"|UK Singles Chart
align="center"|4
-
align="left"|U.S. "Billboard" Hot 100
align="center"|1
-
align="left"|U.S. "Billboard" Hot Latin Songs ¹
align="center"|4
-
align="left"|U.S. "Billboard" Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
align="center"|1
-
align="left"|U.S. "Billboard" ARC Weekly Top 40
align="center"|1
-
align="left"|U.S. "Billboard" Pop 100
align="center"|1
-

¹ "Irreemplazable"

ee also

*Hot 100 number-one hits of 2006 (USA)
*Hot 100 number-one hits of 2007 (USA)
*R&B number-one hits of 2006 (USA)
*R&B number-one hits of 2007 (USA)
*Pop 100 number-one hits of 2006 (USA)
*Pop 100 number-one hits of 2007 (USA)
*Number-one singles in Ireland (2006)
*List of number-one songs on American Top 40 of 2007

References