<Table> <Tr> <Td> "Love in This Club Part II" (2008) </Td> <Td> "If I Were a Boy" (2008) </Td> <Td> "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> "Love in This Club Part II" (2008) </Td> <Td> "If I Were a Boy" (2008) </Td> <Td> "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008) </Td> </Tr> <P> "If I Were a Boy" is a song performed by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé from her third studio album I Am...Sasha Fierce (2008). It was written by BC Jean and Toby Gad, who also handled its production alongside Beyoncé . Inspired by the difficult break - up of a romantic relationship, the song was initially recorded by Jean, whose record but the company had rejected it . Beyoncé then recorded her own version of the song . Jean was upset when she learned that Beyoncé was releasing it as a single, but eventually, they reached an agreement . Columbia Records released "If I Were a Boy" to US radio on October 8, 2008, as a double A-side single album's alongside "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" as the lead singles . The two songs showcased the contrast between Beyoncé's personality and her aggressive onstage persona, Sasha Fierce . A Spanish version of the song, titled "Si Yo Fuera un Chico", was digitally released in Mexico and Spain . </P> <P> "If I Were a Boy" is a pop and R&B introspective ballad which draws influences from folk rock through its instrumentation of which includes acoustic guitars, drums and strings . The song's lyrics lament the misunderstandings between the genders and indict the male side of relationships . "If I Were a Boy" was well received by critics, who complimented Beyoncé's tormented and emotive vocal performance and called the song her best work to date . The single was a commercial success as it placed in the top ten on twenty - five different singles charts . It topped the charts in more than eight European countries, including the United Kingdom, where it is Beyoncé's best - selling single . "If I Were a Boy" peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and earned multi-platinum certifications in Australia, Canada, and the US . </P>

When was if i were a boy released