Top 10: Best Beyoncé Songs

With 17 Grammy Awards and countless other accolades to her name, Beyoncé Knowles is so legendary that she needs only be known by one name. From her role as the frontwoman of Destiny's Child to her career as a solo artist, Beyoncé's voice is instantly iconic and her songs have been pushing musical boundaries for the better part of three decades.

Counted down here are ten of Beyoncé's most memorable and groundbreaking songs, ranging from her greatest commercial successes to her more experimental offerings.

10. "Listen"

Writers: Henry Krieger, Scott Cutler, Anne Preven, Beyoncé Knowles

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #61

Written for the movie musical Dreamgirls, "Listen" is a sweeping R&B ballad sung from the perspective of Deena Jones (as portrayed by Beyoncé). In the song, Deena rises above being underestimated and counted out by those around her. It's a powerful anthem of self-empowerment that features one of her finest vocal performances to date.

09. "XO"

Writers: Ryan Tedder, Terius Nash, Beyoncé Knowles

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #45

As the lead single off of Beyoncé's history-making surprise self-titled album, "XO" was one of the album's few radio-friendly tracks. With its celebratory pop composition and heartfelt lyrics, the song helped to introduce a more mature side of Beyoncé as a singer. It's an honest love song that honours the preciousness of life.

08. "I Was Here"

Writer: Diane Warren

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: N/A

Having written hits for the legendary divas Cher and Celine Dion, songwriter extraordinaire Diane Warren penned the power ballad "I Was Here" for Beyoncé's fourth album 4. Its concerns with the legacies we leave behind speak brilliantly to Beyoncé's status as a role model. Paired with her flawless vocals, this track is one of her most stirring ballads.

07. "Run the World (Girls)"

Writers: Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Beyoncé Knowles, Wesley Pentz, David Taylor, Adidja Palmer Nick van de Wall

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #29

Female empowerment has long been a recurring theme in Beyoncé's career and "Run the World (Girls)" is easily her most anthemic song. Rather than reflecting upon the inequalities women face, this track takes a more positive spin on feminism and celebrates the power of the female sex. It also marked a significant shift in her career as an artist and provided her fans with a more ambitious sound.

06. "Pretty Hurts"

Writers: Joshua Coleman, Sia Furler, Beyoncé Knowles

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: N/A

As the flipside to "Run the World (Girls)," "Pretty Hurts" takes an honest look at the unrealistic expectations society places on the physical appearance of women. Thanks to the genius of lyrical "It Girl" Sia Furler, this song examines the darker side of beauty and it allowed Beyoncé to explore her own insecurities. The result is both haunting and beautiful.

05. "Countdown"

Writers: Terius Nash, Shea Taylor, Beyoncé Knowles, Ester Dean, Cainon Lamb, Julie Frost, Michael Bivins, Nathan Morris, Wanya Morris

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #71

"Countdown" is a brilliant piece of ear candy that is deliciously catchy and experimental. This dance track serves as one of the standouts from 4 and was a major return to form for the singer. Combined with its stunning music video (complete with Audrey Hepburn references), "Countdown" is the musical equivalent of a pick-me-up.

04. "Irreplaceable"

Writers: Shaffer Smith, Beyoncé Knowles, Mikkel S. Eriksen, Tor Erik Hermansen, Espen Lind, Amund Bjorklund

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #1

After the lacklustre performance of the lead singles off of her sophomore effort B'Day, Beyoncé released "Irreplaceable" as the album's third single and it led to a definitive moment in her career. Her sassy attitude on the track paired with the chanting lyrics "to the left, to the left" made this guitar-led kiss-off a masterpiece. 

03. "Halo"

Writers: Ryan Tedder, Beyoncé Knowles, E. Kidd Bogart

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #5

As Beyoncé's signature ballad, "Halo" is a transcendent downtempo R&B track from her seminal I Am… Sasha Fierce album. The song showcased a more vulnerable side to the singer and allowed her to indulge in her lower register. "Halo" continues to be one of her most memorable singles and is routinely performed as an encore during her concerts.

02. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"

Writers: Christopher "Tricky" Stewart, Terius "The-Dream" Nash, Thaddis Harrell, Beyoncé Knowles

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #1

"Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" and its Bob Fosse-inspired music video lit the music industry on fire upon its release. The song inspired countless people to record themselves re-enacting the video's choreography and Beyoncé's brash attitude on the track cemented her status as a pop culture icon.

01. "Crazy in Love"

Writers: Beyoncé Knowles, Rich Harrison, Shawn Carter, Eugene Record

Highest Billboard Hot 100 Chart Position: #1

With the release of her debut single "Crazy in Love," Beyoncé announced her presence as a solo star and established herself as a force to be reckoned within the music industry. The song's bombastic horn section paired with Beyoncé's exuberant vocals and Jay-Z's memorable rap verses skyrocketed this record to number one. Even though Beyoncé and Jay-Z have since paired up on many other songs, "Crazy in Love" is a truly magical collaboration that stands strong as Queen Bey's greatest solo effort.

Top 10: Most Stylish Characters in Movies

As a visual medium, film has become an outlet for costume designers to bring some of the most dazzling and inspiring ensembles to the masses. From haute couture to period clothing, these unsung heroes are responsible for transforming an actor into their character. As famed costume designer Edith Head once said, "What a costume designer does is a cross between magic and camouflage. We create the illusion of changing the actors into what they are not. We ask the public to believe that every time they see a performer on the screen, he's become a different person."

In honour of the incredible work done by these individuals, here are the top ten most stylish characters on film. Regardless of genre and profession, these ten ladies are a cut above the rest.

10. Sayuri

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

Spirited away from a life of poverty in a small Japanese village, the mononymous Sayuri is sold to a geisha house and is trained to be one of these enigmatic artisans. Driven by her desire to get closer to a mysterious businessman, Sayuri climbs her way to the top in the profession and becomes one of the most glamorous geisha in her town.

Ziyi Zhang is a vision of grace and elegance as Sayuri. She is draped in gorgeous silken fabrics and given intricate hairstyles in order to transform into the character. The art behind the kimono in the film is quite evident and the attention to detail rightly earned Colleen Atwood an Academy Award for her costume designs.

09. Eva Peron

Evita (1996)

Based off the life of the iconic Argentinian First Lady, Evita follows Eva Perón's Cinderella-like ascent from the lower classes to becoming the spiritual leader of Argentina. Much like Jackie O and Michelle Obama, Perón was known for her impeccable sense of style and this film lives up to her reputation.

Pop icon Madonna appears in a wide range of beautiful dresses and slick suits for this 1996 film. This transformation proved so successful that it earned the Queen of Pop a Golden Globe for her performance. Beyond that, Evita holds the distinction for being the film with the most costume changes (85 to be exact).

08. Cruella de Vil

101 Dalmatians (1996), 102 Dalmatians (2000)

This live-action remake of the classic Disney film and its sequel centred around Cruella de Vil, chronicling her pursuit to create clothing out of animal fur. In the first film she kidnaps the eponymous 101 dalmatians, while the second follows her adventures after being supposedly rehabilitated of her unusual obsession with animal skinning.

As one of her most iconic roles, Glenn Close vamps it up as Cruella de Vil in a wide range of wacky ensembles. She appeared in one-of-a-kind costumes designed by Anthony Powell, all of which featured crisp black and white palettes. Truthfully, being bad never looked so good.

07. Miranda Priesley

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

When a recent college grad secures a job as an executive assistant at a leading fashion magazine, she falls victim to the crazed demands of her boss from hell. The incomparable Meryl Streep appears as diva extraordinaire Miranda Priestley, who rules Runway Magazine with an iron fist and six inch pumps.

When you're playing Anna Wintour the editor of a major fashion magazine, expectations are high in terms of what you should look like. Thankfully, Patricia Field (of Sex and the City fame) was on hand to dress Meryl Streep in some of the finest outfits known to man. Nearly a decade later, Streep's Miranda Priestley is still as commanding and stylish as ever in her fierce power suits and silver asymmetrical bob.

06. Cleopatra

Cleopatra (1963)

While this historic epic may have been a box office disappointment, Cleopatra delivered some of the most stunning visuals ever seen on film. Elizabeth Taylor delivers a flawless performance as the fickle and enigmatic Egyptian ruler Cleopatra, while looking inhumanly beautiful doing it.

The Academy Award winning costumes Taylor wears in the film are exquisite. From the glistening gold headdress she dons during the Rome sequence to the figure-hugging dresses she wears around her palace, Cleopatra looks incredibly elegant and lives up to her status as a historic style icon.

05. Lorelei Lee

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

This hilarious musical sees Marilyn Monroe playing the ditzy, money-hungry showgirl Lorelei Lee as she sails off to Paris with her best friend Dorothy Shaw. As one of Monroe's more recognizable performances, she appears in a variety of colourful costumes that establish her as the ultimate icon of glitz and glamour.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes was the third collaboration between Marilyn Monroe and costume designer Travilla. His designs for this film not only do an incredible job of showing off Monroe's curvaceous physique, but they also visually represent Lorelei as a character to a tee. She's decked out in sparkling jewels, colourful fabrics, and gorgeous gowns. This film also contains the famous "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" sequence, wherein Monroe wears her iconic strapless pink dress while being lavished with jewels by her gaggle of back-up dancers.

04. Deena Jones

Dreamgirls (2006)

Set in the 1960s, Dreamgirls is a musical that tells the story of a girl group known as the Dreams' rise to fame and the conflicts that nearly break them apart. Beyoncé plays lead singer Deena Jones, who usurps the role from fellow bandmate Effie White (played by Jennifer Hudson). Her questionable acting talent notwithstanding, Beyoncé delivers her most memorable performance in this film and looks amazing doing it.

Since the costuming in this film is largely inspired by the Supremes, it's no surprise that Beyoncé appears in elegant evening gowns and stylish mini-dresses. Even though Destiny's Child the Dreams wear matching costumes, designer Sharen Davis managed to constantly make sure that Deena stood out. The characters solo sequences especially show her wearing ultra-glamorous ensembles, most notably during Deena's vanity photoshoot wherein she channels Grace Jones and Diana Ross.

03. Carrie Bradshaw

Sex and the City (2008), Sex and the City 2 (2010)

For six seasons, Sarah Jessica Parker dazzled audiences as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City. As a 30-something writer navigating the waters of sex and dating, Carrie used her signature wit and flare to deliver a weekly column detailing the romantic misadventures of her and her friends. On top of that, this charismatic journalist also happened to live and breathe fashion.

As Carrie Bradshaw, Sarah Jessica Parker introduced an entire generation of straight women and gay men to designer fashion through her role on the television series. Carrie was always fearless in her style choices, but it would be her leap to the big screen that would see her transformation into a more mature and elegant style icon. From the infamous Vivienne Westwood wedding gown to bedazzled harem pants, Carrie appeared in some pretty jaw-dropping ensembles for her appearances in the two Sex and the City films.

02. Satine

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Set in turn of the century Paris, Moulin Rouge! tells the story of a struggling writer who falls in love with a courtesan played by Nicole Kidman. As Satine, Kidman delivers one hell of a performance by stretching just about every acting muscle possible by veering into drama and comedy with a musical slant. Beyond that, she's breathtakingly beautiful in this film and practically glows in just about every scene she's in.

Catherine Martin and Angus Strathie's Academy Award winning costumes are nothing short of brilliant. Kidman is ravishing in sparkling showgirl ensembles, intricate Hindu-inspired headdresses, and curve-hugging corseted dresses. Satine is one hell of a devastating diva that's for sure.

01. Holly Golightly

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)

A 1961 adaptation of Truman Capote's novella of the same time, Breakfast at Tiffany's follows the unusual romance that blossoms between a quirky socialite and her neighbour. As Holly Golightly, Audrey Hepburn truly outdoes herself and manages to steal the spotlight at every turn. From the opening scene where she eats a pastry in front of Tiffany & Co. to her performance of "Moon River" on a fire escape, Hepburn exudes charisma and talent.

As far as style icons go, no one is quite as renowned or universally acknowledged as Audrey Hepburn. She is upheld as the ultimate symbol of elegance and chicness due to her impeccable taste in clothing, so much so that the vast majority of her appearances on film have gone on to become memorable fashion moments. However, no film is remembered quite as well for its fashion as Breakfast at Tiffany's. Hepburn and her long-time collaborator Hubert de Givenchy put together a wardrobe so timeless that is has been emulated many times over.