Beyonce, ‘Rather Die Young’

Beyonce would 'Rather Die Young' than live without the man she truly loves on an impressive song from her upcoming '4' album.

The track was co-written by an unlikely source, Luke Steele of Australian electronic duo Empire of the Sun. The song deftly combines the feel of a traditional R&B ballad with elements of Steele's sound, which results in a horn section mingling with programmed drums and even subtle flashes of synth and guitar in the backing instrumentation.

Beyonce expresses her total devotion in a quiet opening verse that opens into a powerful chorus:

"Boy you'll be the death of me / You’re my James Dean / You make me feel like I’m seventeen / You drive too fast, you smoke too much / But that don’t mean a thing cause I'm addicted to the rush / Cause I'd rather die young than live my life without you / I'd rather not live at all than live my life without you."

Beyonce would rather live life to the fullest with a dangerous man than play it safe with someone boring. That's a rather intense statement of adoration. Girls may run the world, but it doesn't hurt to have a cool guy by your side.

'Rather Die Young' expands Beyonce's sound slightly without veering too far from her winning formula. Well done, B!

Listen to 'Rather Die Young' and Beyonce's Full '4' album