Why Wasn't "Standing on the Sun" On Her Album?

It’s been a year since Beyoncé premiered her colorful commercial for clothing retailer H&M, which featured a breezy new song called, “Standing on the Sun.” As soon as I heard the track, I said to myself, “That’s Beyoncé’s next number one record!” I simply could not wait for "Standing on the Sun" to be released. Of course, it would take Beyoncé eight more months to put out new music, and when her self-titled fifth studio album finally hit iTunes last December, “Standing on the Sun” was mysteriously missing from the track list.

Bummer.

Some fans were upset, but it was hard to stay mad at Bey when she had just delivered 14 new songs, each with its own accompanying music video. Though various "demo" versions of “Standing on the Sun” have made their way online in the past, we've never been able to hear the track in its finished form… until now.

This weekend, in what can only be described as an act of God, the final version of Beyoncé’s “Standing on the Sun” popped up on the Internet — and not a moment too soon. The track, produced by Greg Kurstin (Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger”) and co-written by Sia Furler (Rihanna’s “Diamonds”), is a summery jam about a love so hot, it can only be accurately compared to, well, standing on the sun. Duh. “Standing on the Sun” is one of the best song’s Beyoncé’s ever recorded, and honestly, it should’ve been included on her last album, Beyoncé. Don’t let this be the big hit that got away, Beyowulf!

"Can you the feel heat on my skin? Can you feel all my lovin'? You and me are standing on the sun..."

I’ll admit, “Standing on the Sun” is a little more pop and a lot more lighthearted than the majority of Beyoncé, but I think the album could’ve used a couple more bright spots in order to provide a contrast to the darkness and sadness of songs like “Haunted” and “Heaven.” The reason “Pretty Hurts” stands out as one of the album’s strongest moments is because it's so incredibly simple. There are no slick production tricks or bells and whistles — it’s just Beyoncé’s beautiful voice and a powerful message about self-acceptance. Similarly, “Standing on the Sun” is just a catchy, straightforward, immaculately produced pop song about love. What’s not to like about that?

There’s definitely room on Beyoncé’s track list for “Standing on the Sun.” Did she really need to include the tuneless, “No Angel”? What about the bland, “Superpower”? Beyoncé didn’t even need to shoot a new music video for “Standing on the Sun.” I think people would’ve been more than satisfied if she had just repurposed her gorgeous H&M advertisement. It could’ve been as simple as that!

To date, Beyoncé has sold over three million copies worldwide — which is seriously impressive — but only one of the three singles released from the album so far, “Drunk in Love,” has had any major success (the song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart). The fact is, Beyoncé’s still on the hunt for her next number one record, a feat she hasn’t managed to achieve since “Single Ladies” topped the charts in 2008. “Standing on the Sun” is summer in a song, people! Putting it out now as a single now seems like a total no-brainer to me.

Of course, releasing a song that wasn’t actually on the album as a single might seem like a strange move to some, but Beyoncé’s a grown woman — she can do whatever she wants. Meanwhile, “Pretty Hurts” has been selected as Beyoncé’s fourth single, and I hope it’s a hit for her. Until Bey comes to her senses, I suggest bookmarking this page so you can jam to the final version of "Standing in the Sun" (or at least the most final-sounding version we've heard thus far) all summer long.

Images: serfborts/tumblr