<Table> <Tr> <Td> "Why Don't You Love Me" (2010) </Td> <Td> "Run the World (Girls)" (2011) </Td> <Td> "Best Thing I Never Had" (2011) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Td> "Why Don't You Love Me" (2010) </Td> <Td> "Run the World (Girls)" (2011) </Td> <Td> "Best Thing I Never Had" (2011) </Td> </Tr> <P> "Run the World (Girls)" is a song recorded by American recording artist Beyoncé, from her fourth studio album 4 (2011), released as the lead single from the album on April 21, 2011 . It was written by Terius "The - Dream" Nash and Beyoncé, while heavily sampling "Pon de Floor" by Major Lazer written by Nick "Afrojack" van de Wall, Wesley "Diplo" Pentz, David "Switch" Taylor and Adidja Palmer . Production was handled by Switch, The - Dream, Beyoncé, and Shea Taylor . The song's development was motivated by the fact that Beyoncé wanted something different: a mixture of different cultures and eras, a new sound, and a message which would give women strength . An unedited demo of the song, then thought to be titled "Girls (Who Run the World)", was leaked on the internet on April 18, 2011 . "Run the World" premiered on US radio on April 21, 2011, and was digitally released the same day . </P> <P> "Run the World" is a electropop and R&B song that heavily samples "Pon de Floor" by Major Lazer . The song's title and lyrics comprise an unapologetically aggressive message promoting female empowerment . "Run the World" initially divided critics; some complimented the song's sample, its musical direction, and Beyoncé's aggressiveness, while others criticized the continuation of past themes and stated that they wanted to see Beyoncé covering new topics . Several critics compared "Run the World" to Beyoncé's other singles with similar themes such as "Independent Women" (2000)--with Destiny's Child, and "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (2008) among others, stating that "Run the World" takes a more direct and assertive approach towards female empowerment . </P>

Who wrote the song who run the world by beyonce