3 Bangers From Beyoncé’s 20th Anniversary Edition of ‘B’Day’

This year, Beyoncé celebrates the 20th anniversary of her second studio LP, B’Day, with a sprawling deluxe edition. Even as early as 2006, Beyoncé had already become a cultural force following her time in Destiny’s Child and colossal solo hits like “Crazy In Love” and “Baby Boy”.

So to celebrate Beyoncé’s sophomore (solo) release, here are three bangers you’ll want to crank!

“Freakum Dress”

Produced by Rich Harrison, who guided Beyoncé and Jay-Z through their 2003 hit “Crazy In Love”, this mid-LP track is an anthem for the ladies who need to set their men straight. Like a superhero that finds power in a mask and cape, Beyoncé describes an outfit buried deep in the closet that she saves for when her partner needs a flirty reminder not to stray. “He’s been acting up,” she sings, “but he won’t be the only one.”

’Cause when they act wrong, that’s when you put it on,
Get him uptight, this is your song.
Hold out your back, time to impress,
Pull out your freakum dress.

“Deja Vu” feat. Jay-Z

Continuing in the jubilant spirit of “Crazy In Love”, the opening track and lead single features a James Brown groove and a thumping 808. According to producer Rodney Jerkins, aka Darkchild, Beyoncé was moving on from “Crazy In Love”. Instead of building a track with samples, “Deja Vu” is propelled by live horns and a funky live bass groove. This is Beyoncé pushing the past into the future—once again, with a little help from Jay-Z.

Baby, seem like everywhere I go, I see you,
From your eyes, I smile, it’s like I breathe you.
Helplessly, I reminisce, don’t want to,
Compare nobody to you.

“Beautiful Liar” feat. Shakira

Featured on the deluxe edition, “Beautiful Liar” finds Beyoncé and Shakira learning that the same man has cheated on them both. The track fuses Latin, Middle Eastern, and American soul influences that feel like generations of female pathos for every girl that’s been double-crossed in love. The hypnotic smash reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains an iconic tango between the superstars, turning betrayal into collective empowerment.

Let’s not kill the karma,
Let’s not start a fight.
It’s not worth the drama,
For a beautiful liar.

Photo by Jason Squires/WireImage for MTV.com