Beyoncé is widely considered one of the greatest pop artists of all time. Over the course of her over 20-year career, she has continuously pushed creative boundaries and inspired millions of fans around the world with her music. While Beyoncé’s songs are often celebrated for their powerful messages of feminism and female empowerment, her discography actually has something for listeners of all genders. Beyoncé’s music transcends traditional notions of gender and empowers everyone who listens, regardless of their identity. That being said, there are some songs in her vast catalog that seem to resonate particularly strongly with male fans. Here are six of Beyoncé’s must-listen songs for guys.
“Crazy In Love” (feat. Jay-Z) (2003)
Beyoncé’s breakout single “Crazy In Love” remains one of her signature songs to this day. Featuring a guest verse from her now-husband Jay-Z, “Crazy In Love” is a classic blend of R&B and hip-hop. Over a pulsing, syncopated beat sampled from The Chi-Lites’ “Are You My Woman?,” Beyoncé sings about the intoxicating rush of new love. Jay-Z then comes in with a confident rap about the undeniable connection between himself and Beyoncé.
While “Crazy In Love” celebrates the passion and desire between two lovers, it’s also just a really fun, upbeat song. Beyoncé delivers her vocals with sass and swagger, coming across as totally in control despite admitting to feeling “crazy” in the relationship. Jay-Z’s verse is equally slick, bragging about his skills as a lover. For male listeners, “Crazy In Love” can be empowering in its portrayal of masculine sexuality and intimacy as a source of strength rather than weakness. The song is a reminder that true confidence comes from fully embracing one’s desires, not repressing them. Nearly 20 years later, “Crazy In Love” still gets both men and women out of their seats every time it plays.
“Run the World (Girls)” (2011)
On the surface, “Run the World (Girls)” seems geared solely towards a female audience with its unabashed celebration of girl power. However, the song’s infectious energy and message of empowerment resonate for people of all identities. Over a pounding beat, Beyoncé declares that girls are the ones who “run this motha” before launching into an anthemic chorus. She sings about how girls “run the world” through their influence in business, relationships, and culture at large.
While “Run the World (Girls)” uplifts women, its underlying message is actually about believing in one’s own abilities to achieve great things. For male listeners, the song can be incredibly motivating—a reminder to boldly step into one’s power and potential, undeterred by societal expectations or limitations. Beyoncé’s vocals are delivered with such strength, conviction and joy that it’s impossible not to feel empowered listening to the track, regardless of gender. The song is a high-energy pick-me-up that gets both men and women pumped to take on the day’s challenges and “run the world.”
“Partition” (2014)
On her self-titled fifth studio album, Beyoncé took her sound in a more sexually liberated direction. One of the album’s stand-out tracks is the sultry “Partition,” a song that’s equal parts suggestive and fun. Over a pulsating, hypnotic beat layered with Middle Eastern instrumentation, Beyoncé’s vocals glide as she sings about a passionate encounter in the back of a limousine.
While “Partition” is unabashedly sensual, it’s also a celebration of desire and intimacy between partners. Beyoncé owns her sexuality throughout the track, coming across as totally in control of her wants and needs. For male listeners, this can be an empowering message—a reminder that embracing one’s sexuality does not make one weak or less masculine. Rather, true confidence comes from being comfortable within one’s own skin and giving into pleasure, as Beyoncé so unapologetically does on “Partition.” The song is just plain fun too, with its catchy beat making it impossible not to bop along. Nearly a decade later, “Partition” still gets the party started every time.
“Formation” (2016)
On “Formation,” the lead single from her iconic 2016 album Lemonade, Beyoncé celebrated Black history, culture and resilience in the face of oppression. Over a bouncing New Orleans-inspired beat, Beyoncé sings about the strength of Black women and pays tribute to iconic figures like Nina Simone and Hurricane Katrina. She declares her southern roots with pride and references police brutality, affirming that “I just might be a black Bill Gates in the making.”
While “Formation” uplifts Black women and communities, its message resonates beyond race and gender. The song reminds all people facing adversity that they come “from a whole lot of big d*ck energy” and the resilience of their ancestors. It’s a powerful anthem about claiming one’s identity despite attempts to diminish it. For any listener seeking empowerment or a reminder of their capabilities, “Formation” delivers. Beyoncé’s vocals are delivered with a quiet fury that makes the song incredibly motivating. Nearly six years since its release, “Formation” still feels as urgent and important as ever, proving how Beyoncé creates art that stands the test of time.
“Apeshit” (Carters with Beyoncé & Jay-Z) (2018)
On their joint album Everything Is Love, power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z gifted fans with “Apeshit,” a braggadocious track that showed the world just how far they’ve come. Over a pulsing afrobeat-inspired beat produced by Nigerian artist Tekno, Beyoncé and Jay-Z rap about their immense success, wealth, and lavish lifestyle.
While “Apeshit” unabashedly flaunts the Carters’ accomplishments, it’s an incredibly fun and feel-good song regardless of identity. Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s chemistry is palpable as they trade boastful bars back and forth. Their confidence and skill on the mic is inspiring to listen to. For male fans in particular, “Apeshit” can be empowering in its portrayal of success and abundance as something to proudly claim and celebrate, rather than keep hidden or apologize for. The song is a reminder that true confidence comes from owning one’s accomplishments, not downplaying them. Nearly four years later, “Apeshit” still gets the party started with its unapologetic flex.
Beyoncé lent her vocals to “Savage,” the 2020 smash hit by Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion. On the track, Beyoncé comes in halfway through with a fiery verse that stops the song in its tracks. She spits bars about being a “savage” who “bi**hes” want to be like and “n****s” want to date.
While “Savage” celebrates female sexuality and empowerment, it’s also just a fun, badass song to listen to. Megan and Beyoncé deliver their verses with such attitude, charisma and flow that it’s impossible not to get hyped listening along. Their confidence and wordplay is inspiring regardless of gender. For male listeners, “Savage” can be empowering in its portrayal of masculinity not as something fragile but as something that can fully embrace and celebrate strong, assertive women. Nearly two years after its release, “Savage” still serves as the ultimate anthem to feel like the fiercest, most confident version of yourself.
In Conclusion
Over the course of her legendary career, Beyoncé has created music that uplifts, motivates and inspires people of all backgrounds. While many of her songs celebrate themes of feminism and female empowerment, her discography resonates beyond gender through its messages of strength, resilience, confidence and empowerment. The six songs highlighted here—from early hits like “Crazy In Love” to recent collabs like “Savage”—are just a few examples of how Beyoncé’s art empowers listeners of all identities. Her music transcends traditional notions of what’s “masculine” or “feminine” by creating feel-good anthems about fully embracing all aspects of oneself. Nearly 20 years after her debut, Beyoncé continues to raise the bar for popular music and move culture forward through her boundary-pushing artistry. She leaves fans of all genders feeling motivated, lifted up and ready to take on the world.