2003 Beyonce: Crazy In Love

Well here's something that doesn't hang around - the debut solo single from Beyonce Knowles roars out of the traps on the back of a blaring live horn sample courtesy of The Chi-Lites' "Are You My Woman (Tell Me So)' and barely lets up for its duration. In fact, its exuberance is such that Knowles doesn't need to open her mouth until a good thirty seconds in, and even then her "Are you ready?" come on heralds a (relatively) subdued vocal that's more soul than sass in recounting her in-thrall desires for her new man. "When you leave I'm begging you not to go, call your name two or three times in a row" - how this hostage to hormones squares with her previous 'Independent Women' stance I'll leave for others to consider; suffice it to say that what it lacks in originality, 'Crazy In Love' makes up for with an invigorating smash of old school crunch, whipsmart hip hop bounce (helped enormously by future hubby Jay Z dropping by) and a knowingly reserved vocal from Beyonce that floats above the mix like steam over boiling water. Excellent, frankly.