Beautiful Liar
by Beyoncé (featuring Shakira)

Album: B'Day Deluxe Edition (2007)
Charted: 1 3
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds Shakira and Beyoncé talking about how the same man told each of them that she was the one and only. Instead of starting a fight or plotting to get back at the guy, they decide he isn't worth it, and to ignore him. Beyoncé considers it a female-empowerment song. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Donovan Berry - El Dorado, AR
  • On the week of April 7, 2007 this made the biggest ever leap in the Billboard Hot 100 when it rose 91 positions to land at #3. It broke the previous record, which was the 95-7 jump of "Smack That" by Akon featuring Eminem on the chart dated October 14, 2006.
  • Beyoncé recorded this herself before asking Shakira to sing on it with her. The song has a Latin flavor and some Spanish lyrics that suited Shakira well.
  • Though this only reached #3 in America, the song was a smash hit internationally, topping the charts in 32 different countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy and New Zealand.
  • Mikkel S. Eriksen, half of the songwritng/production duo Stargate, who co-created the tune, said the project was a lesson in simplicity. "This song is very simple," he told Sound on Sound. "Most of the time we have more chords in a song, because we find it hard writing a great song on just one chord. But if you do it right, you can make it work, and this song is an example."
  • Beyoncé and Shakira, who recorded their parts separately in their respective studios, met to film the music video. Directed by Jake Nava, the clip finds the singers emerging from a smoky background as they individually perform their parts, mirroring each others' outfits and dance moves, until they finally meet for a sultry belly-dancing session.

    The video won the MTV Video Music Award for Most Earthshattering Collaboration in 2007.
  • Along with Beyoncé and the Stargate production team, this song was written by the team of Ian Dench and Amanda Ghost, who also contributed to the I Am... Sasha Fierce track "Disappear." Dench is best known as the guitarist in EMF, who had a huge '90s hit with "Unbelievable."
  • This was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals at the 2008 Grammy Awards, but lost to "Gone Gone Gone (Done Moved On)" by Robert Plant and Alison Krauss.

Comments: 5

  • Martamjlover from UsaI've had this happen to me more than once. And I hated to have my heart broken so many times it sucks. Like Else Debarred say's in one of his songs the heart is not so smart. But this song is good not the having u'r heart broken part though. But Shakira and beyonce' are right the guy is the to blame.
  • Nadia from Phoenix, Azthis is one of those songs that the video is so good it will carry it further then the song alone.
  • Reza from Shiraz, Iranhey shakira and beyonce. one of the sexiest videos ive ever seen. love it
  • Emily from Derby, United KingdomI LOVE THIS SONG! iT IS AWESOME
  • Fani from Avlon, GreeceI really love this song.......And it's rhythm calls you to dance
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Julian Lennon

Julian LennonSongwriter Interviews

Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go's

Charlotte Caffey of The Go-Go'sSongwriter Interviews

Charlotte was established in the LA punk scene when a freaky girl named Belinda approached her wearing a garbage bag.

Lip-Synch Rebels

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Fire On The Stage

Fire On The StageSong Writing

When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Adam Young of Owl City

Adam Young of Owl CitySongwriter Interviews

Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.