Audio: Beyonce’s ‘Run The World (Girls)’

Here is the audio for Beyonce’s first single, “Run The World (Girls),” from her next album. Clearly she is attempting to push her appeal beyond r&b and pop, which won’t be easy given the depth of her roots in those genres, not to mention her status as a proper married lady, a Southern Belle no less. It’s one thing if Rihanna writes a song called “S&M,” visits sex shops and parties all night at clubs with the “Kids,” not so easy if you’ve basically painted yourself as a good girl. That being said, like Lady Gaga and Rihanna, Beyonce is one of those artists who is not just a work horse, but is backed by an incredibly well-organized machine so whatever the merits of this single, it will be pushed very hard.