Beyonce has managed to give us over a decade worth of music to relate to, and that's not even beginning to include the discography she contributed to during her Destiny's Child days. I know with the recent release of Lemonade, many people felt the emotion that she portrayed, as a woman coping with her significant other doing her wrong. Now, the concept of Beyonce singing about relationships is nothing new, just ask my grandma who says, "All she ever sings about is how much she loves her husband." *cues eye rolling* Well, the deeper you examine her discography as a whole, you'll begin to see that Beyonce has blessed us with a song to describe every crucial stage that plays a part in relationships.
Stage 1: The Search
So, you haven't quite found the man of your dreams, but you're open to the idea of finding someone. You're single, but you're content. This stage is all about independence and fun. You are ready to turn heads and have a night out with your girls. You can tell someone is in this stage, when they pull out that "Freakum Dress," so the men can "Check On It." Something about this stage is liberating and exciting, because you haven't quite met someone, but there is the potential.
Songs that describe this stage: Freakum Dress and Check On It
Stage 2: Lust
The time came, and you've found someone you can't stop thinking about. Whether the person makes you want to make "Love In This Club" or call him your "Baby Boy," everything just clicks with him. It hasn't quite flourished into a full-fledged love, but there is plenty of potential from this crush that keeps you giddy and constantly cheesing, while you wait for a text back. This is such a refereshing stage because there's always something new to talk about, and you can think to yourself, "he's mine."
Songs that describe this stage: Love In This Club (Part II), Baby Boy, and Mine
Stage 3: Head Over Heels
This stage is partially considered the honeymoon stage because you're "Crazy in Love." There's no one else you'd rather be with, and you officially can declare that he is yours. You may seem a little obsessed, but it's all out of love. Lately, it seems like he's your main focus. Most people understand though.
Songs that describe this stage: Crazy in Love, Deja Vu, and Cater 2 U
Stage 4: The Long Term
You are in too deep. Some people who are in this stage forget about all their other friends. It's okay, those people are really easy to spot out. Everything is now "we" instead of "me." Ya'll are like Ying and Yang, one can't be somewhere without the other. Everything is better when you're together, and you would put everything on the line for them. You know you can face the world with them by your side. They make you grow as a person.
Songs that describe this stage: '03 Bonnie & Clyde, Part II (On The Run), Dangerously In Love, Drunk In Love, Superpower, and Love On Top
Stage 5: Suspicion
In an ideal world, we would all end at stage 4, but that's not always the case. Suddenly, something doesn't seem right. The differences that once brought you together are breaking your bond. Your girls are telling you that you need to leave him, but you aren't too convinced, whether it be because you still have feelings, you don't believe there's an issue, you aren't ready to stop trying or some sort of combination. This is a very stressful stage, because with one decision everything can change.
Songs that describe this stage: Venus vs. Mars and Girl
Stage 6: The Receipts
You have all the proof. This typically leads to anger, which is intertwined with this stage. You can't believe that he doesn't want you. Your girls, your intuition, that tweet that felt a little too accurate... they were all right. You're livid. This is the stage where you need that go to "break up" playlist.
Songs that describe this stage: Why Don't You Love Me, Hold Up, Beautiful Liar, Ring The Alarm, and Resentment
Stage 7: The Come Up
You're back, and you're better. You win some, and you lose some, but this time, he's the one who lost. You've surpassed that sad heartbroken stage, and now you're confidence has been restored. If you almost forgot how great you were, you've been reminded by this stage. You've said "Boy, bye" to your past, and you could not be happier. You are completely fine with being single, if someone can't realize your worth.
Songs to describe this stage: Irreplaceable, Sorry, Best Thing I Never Had, Don't Hurt Yourself, Me, Myself, and I, and Single Ladies
Beyonce has managed to become such a versatile singer, and all of these songs don't even capture her entire essence and legend. The best feeling is to listen to a song that relates to your situation, because suddenly your feelings will seem validated with the knowledge that you aren't alone.
