190.201.203.120: /* Critical reception */

2025-10-01T21:51:17Z

Critical reception

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{{Infobox song
| name = Alien Superstar
| cover =
| alt =
| caption =
| type =
| artist = [[Beyoncé]]
| album = [[Renaissance (Beyoncé album)|Renaissance]]
| released = {{Start date|2022|7|29}}
| format =
| recorded =
| studio = The Juicy Juicy and Parkwood West, [[Los Angeles]]
| venue =
| genre = *[[House music|House]]
*[[dance-pop]]
*[[synth-pop]]
*[[electropop]]
*[[Ballroom culture#Music|ballroom]]
*[[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]
| length = {{Duration|m=3|s=35}}
| label = {{hlist|[[Parkwood Entertainment|Parkwood]]|[[Columbia Records|Columbia]]}}
| writer = {{hlist|Beyoncé|[[Honey Dijon|Honey Redmond]]|Christopher Penny|[[Freaks (band)|Luke Solomon]]|[[Nova Wav|Denisia Andrews]]|[[Nova Wav|Brittany Coney]]|[[Jay-Z|Shawn Carter]]|[[Lucky Daye|David Brown]]|[[Dave Hamelin]]|[[070 Shake|Danielle Balbuena]]|[[Leven Kali]]|[[Atia "Ink" Boggs|Atia Boggs]]|[[Levar Coppin]]|Saliou Diagne|[[Mike Dean (record producer)|Michael Dean]]|[[Right Said Fred|Rob Manzoli]]|[[Peter Rauhofer]]|[[Richard Fairbrass]]|[[Right Said Fred|Christopher Fairbrass]]|John Holiday|[[Barbara Ann Teer]]|Kim Cooper|}}
| producer = {{hlist|Beyoncé|[[Honey Dijon]]|Penny|Solomon|[[The-Dream]]|[[Mike Dean (record producer)|Mike Dean]]|[[Nova Wav]]|Kali}}
| misc = {{External music video|type=song|header=Lyric Video|1={{YouTube|e_aT9pAGQo8|"Alien Superstar"}}}}
}}

"'''Alien Superstar'''" is a song recorded by American singer [[Beyoncé]]. It is the third track on her seventh studio album, [[Renaissance (Beyoncé album)|''Renaissance'']] (2022), which was released on July 29, 2022, through [[Parkwood Entertainment|Parkwood]] and [[Columbia Records|Columbia]].

==Composition==
''[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]]'' writer Julianne Escobedo Shepherd described the song as an "old way [[House music|house]] anthem", comparing the track's musicality to that of [[Vanity 6]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Escobedo Shepherd |first=Julianne |date=2022-08-01 |title=Beyoncé: Renaissance |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/beyonce-renaissance/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=[[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |language=en-US |quote="Alien Superstar" channels Vanity 6 as an old-way house anthem.}}</ref> The "futuristic" [[dance-pop]] and [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meaning of ALIEN SUPERSTAR (Beyoncé) |url=https://www.lyricslayers.com/beyonce/alien-superstar/ |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=LyricsLayers.com |language=en}}</ref> song features heavy [[synthesizer]] production<ref>{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Radhika |date=2022-08-02 |title=Twitter Is Losing It Over Beyoncé's "ALIEN SUPERSTAR" & These Memes Prove It |url=https://www.bustle.com/entertainment/memes-tweets-beyonce-alien-superstar-song-lyrics-renaissance-videos |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=[[Bustle (magazine)|Bustle]] |language=en |quote=No song on Beyoncé's Renaissance is getting more love than the intergalactic dance anthem "ALIEN SUPERSTAR."}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruggieri |first=Melissa |title=Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' album review: Unapologetic and raunchy as she beckons us to the dance floor |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2022/07/29/beyonce-renaissance-album-review/10176836002/ |access-date=2023-10-29 |website=[[USA Today]] |language=en-US |quote=Synthesizers creep in the background of this futuristic romp that is lyrically rich and musically zigzagging.}}</ref> and elements of [[Ball culture|ballroom]] music, such as usage of the term "category", throughout the song.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Claire |date=2022-07-29 |title=Beyoncé's "Alien Superstar" Lyrics Meaning, Explained |url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/beyonce-alien-superstar-lyrics-meaning-renaissance |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=[[Nylon (magazine)|Nylon]] |language=en |quote=The ballroom track is an ode to the otherworldliness within. [[...]] The latter third of "Alien Superstar," which is already a straight up ballroom song.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahale |first=Jenna |title=Every track on Beyoncé's Renaissance, ranked |url=https://i-d.co/article/every-track-on-beyonces-renaissance-ranked/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=[[i-D]] |language=en |quote=Beyoncé borrows language from ballroom competitions to make the assessment: "Category… sexy bitch, I’m the bar."}}</ref> Beyoncé raps in a monotone delivery during the verses, before singing over stacked vocals during the choruses.<ref name=":1">{{Cite magazine |last=Denis |first=Kyle |date=2022-07-29 |title=Every Song Ranked on Beyonce's 'Renaissance': Critic's Picks |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/beyonce-rensaissance-best-songs-1235119675/ |access-date=2023-10-29 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web |date=December 15, 2022 |title=The 100 Best Songs of 2022 |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/12/15/1135803900/100-best-songs-2022-page-4 |access-date=October 29, 2023 |website=[[NPR Music]] |publisher=[[NPR]] |quote="Stilettos kicking vintage crystal off the bar," she pouts in an aloof monotone, then breaks into a sex-kitten moan. [[...]] as she raps about reveling in the power of our sexuality.}}</ref>

The song features some cultural references, including [[Maya Angelou]]'s poem "Still I Rise". The song samples an autobiographical recording by American writer and producer [[Barbara Ann Teer]] featured in ''[[Black Drama]]'': "We dress a certain way. We walk a certain way. We talk a certain way. We paint a certain way. We make love a certain way, you know? All of these things we do in a different, unique specific way that is personally ours".<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Siroky |first=Mary |date=July 29, 2022 |title=Song of the Week: Beyoncé Is in a Galaxy of Her Own on "Alien Superstar" |url=https://consequence.net/2022/07/beyonce-alien-superstar-song-of-the-week/ |access-date=February 11, 2025 |website=[[Consequence (magazine)|Consequence]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Brunner |first=Jeryl |date=December 13, 2024 |title=With Legions Of Fans Like Beyoncé And Alicia Keys, National Black Theatre Has Thrived For More Than 50 Years |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jerylbrunner/2023/12/14/with-legions-of-fans-like-beyonc-and-alicia-keys-the-national-black-theatre-has-thrived-for-more-than-50-years/ |access-date=February 11, 2025 |website=[[Forbes]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Critical reception ==
Upon release of the parent album, "Alien Superstar" received positive reviews from critics.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5" /> ''[[The New York Times]]'' called the song a "bold pop homage to ballroom culture" that delves into themes of [[Afrofuturism]], and [[Self-love|self-celebration]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Pareles |first1=Jon |last2=Zoladz |first2=Lindsay |date=2022-07-29 |title=Beyoncé's Anthem for the Unique, and 10 More New Songs |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/29/arts/music/playlist-beyonce-rosalia.html |access-date=2023-10-29 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Kevin Fallon of ''[[The Daily Beast]]'' deemed it as ''Renaissance''<nowiki/>'s "stand-out track", praising its "ode to [[queer]] dance-floor anthems".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fallon |first=Kevin |date=2022-07-30 |title=We Need to Make Beyoncé's 'Alien Superstar' the Song of the Summer |language=en |work=[[The Daily Beast]] |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/beyonces-alien-superstar-from-renaissance-should-be-song-of-the-summer |access-date=2023-10-29}}</ref>

Ranking it as the eighth best song off the album, [[Billboard (magazine)|''Billboard'']] praised the song's unconventional song structure, "warbling synths", and utilization of rapping and stacked vocals.<ref name=":1" /> ''Pitchfork'' and [[NPR Music|NPR]] both placed the song on their "Best Songs of 2022" lists, ranking at number five and number two respectively.<ref name=":2" /> The former publication called it a "new-gen ballroom staple" and compared its [[Funk|funky]] and [[Electronic music|electronic]] sound to that of [[Prince (musician)|Prince]];<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-05 |title=The 100 Best Songs of 2022 |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/best-songs-2022/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=[[Pitchfork (magazine)|Pitchfork]] |language=en-US}}</ref> in September 2024, they included it on their list of "The 100 Best Songs of the 2020s So Far", ranking it at number 24.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pitchfork |date=2024-09-30 |title=The 100 Best Songs of the 2020s So Far |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-100-best-songs-of-the-2020s-so-far/ |access-date=2025-06-25 |website=Pitchfork |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Commercial performance==
After the release of ''Renaissance'', "Alien Superstar" debuted on the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]] chart at number 19 and on the [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs|Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs]] chart at number eight.<ref name="BillDebut">{{cite magazine |title=Beyoncé Sends All 16 Songs From 'Renaissance' Onto Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/beyonce-renaissance-16-songs-on-hot-100-1235123875/ |accessdate=October 21, 2022 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard.biz]]}}</ref>

==Personnel and credits==
===Samples===
* contains an [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolation]] of "[[I'm Too Sexy]]", written by Rob Manzoli, [[Richard Fairbrass]], and Christopher Fairbrass, and performed by [[Right Said Fred]]
* contains a sample of "Moonraker", written by John Holiday (Noble John Ali) performed by Foremost Poets
* contains a sample of [[Barbara Ann Teer]]'s "[[Black Drama|Black Theater]]" autobiographical account
* contains a sample of "Unique", written by Kim Cooper and [[Peter Rauhofer]] and performed by Danube Dance

===Recording locations===
*The Juicy Juicy (Los Angeles, California)
*Parkwood West (Los Angeles, California)

=== Personnel ===
'''Performers'''

* Vocals by Beyoncé
* Background vocals by Blu June

'''Musicians'''

* Mike Dean – synths
* Honey Dijon – additional programming
* The-Dream – synths
* Chris Penny – keys and programming
* Luke Solomon – drum production and programming

'''Technical credits'''

* Beyoncé – production, vocal production
* Matheus Braz – assistant engineering
* Chi Coney – engineering
* John Cranfield – engineering
* Mike Dean – co-production
* Honey Dijon – production
* The-Dream – co-production
* NovaWav – additional production
* Chris Penny – production
* Andrea Roberts – engineering
* Luke Solomon – production
* Stuart White – mixing, recording

== Live performance ==
[[File:Beyoncé - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - 1st June 2023 (30 of 118) (52946287425) (cropped).jpg|thumb|Beyoncé performing "Alien Superstar" on the [[Renaissance World Tour]] in 2023]]
Beyoncé first performed "Alien Superstar" in [[Stockholm|Stockholm, Sweden]] on the opening night of the [[Renaissance World Tour]], including it on the setlist for the duration of the tour.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruggieri |first=Melissa |date=May 10, 2023 |title=Beyoncé Renaissance tour set list: See all the songs on her nearly 3-hour show |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/05/10/beyonc-set-list-renaissance-world-tour/70206073007/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=[[USA Today]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The song is featured in the robotic-themed "Renaissance" act of the tour and follows a transition from "[[Cozy (song)|Cozy]]". The performance starts with Beyoncé pantomiming that she's asleep, with her dancers holding up a quilted bedspread and pillows designed by Victor Weinsanto.<ref>{{cite web|last=Subramanian|first=Akshara|title=How Beyoncé triggered a whole new trend through her tour wardrobe|website=[[Vogue India]]|date=October 22, 2023|url=https://www.vogue.in/content/how-beyonce-triggered-a-whole-new-trend-through-her-tour-wardrobe}}</ref> She then 'wakes up' and holds her hands up while spelling out "Unique" and counting down with her fingers. The performance continues with the song's intro. During the second chorus, elements of "[[Sweet Dreams (Beyoncé song)|Sweet Dreams]]" are used such as the instrumental and select lyrics.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Blistein |first=Jon |date=2023-05-10 |title=Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' Tour Has Freaking Robots |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/beyonce-perform-cozy-robots-renaissance-tour-opener-1234733103/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |language=en-US |quote=The show has also featured a few era-bending mash-ups of old and new favorites, like "Alien Superstar" and "Sweet Dreams".}}</ref>

Beyoncé wore a number of outfits during this section over the course of the tour, starting with a custom [[André Courrèges|Courrèges]] outfit from the fall 2023 collection.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wheeler |first=André-Naquian |date=2023-05-10 |title=Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour Looks Are Club-Ready Couture |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/beyonces-renaissance-tour-looks-are-club-ready-couture |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=[[Vogue (magazine)|Vogue]] |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Criales-Unzueta |first=José |date=2023-08-01 |title=Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour Outfits From the Runway to the Stage—"It Should Cost a Billion to Look This Good" |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/beyonce-renaissance-looks-from-the-runway |access-date=2023-10-25 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref> At later dates, she wore a custom Philosophy di Lorenzo Serafini bodysuit,<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Davis |first=Jessica |date=2023-10-02 |title=Inside Beyoncé's impressive 'Renaissance' world tour wardrobe |url=https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/fashion/fashion-news/g43861352/beyonce-renaissance-tour-wardrobe-fashion/ |access-date=2023-10-25 |magazine=[[Harper's BAZAAR]] |language=en-GB}}</ref> a metallic [[Balmain (fashion house)|Balmain]] bodysuit, and a silver-and gold [[Lanvin]] bodysuit with cutouts.<ref name=":0" />

During a performance of the song at a show in [[Arizona]], an audio malfunction caused Beyoncé and her dancers to temporarily retreat.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lane |first=Barnaby |date=2023-08-25 |title=Beyoncé had to pause her latest Renaissance World Tour concert for 10 minutes due to a sound system failure, but the superstar quickly recovered — and dazzled fans in a new outfit |url=https://www.insider.com/beyonce-sound-system-failure-arizona-tour-new-outfit-2023-8 |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=[[Insider (magazine)|Insider]] |language=en-US}}</ref> She then restarted the performance, wearing a new metallic outfit with wings designed by Juraj Zigman.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Velasco |first=Matthew |date=2023-10-02 |title=Fittingly, Beyoncé Shimmered Like a Disco Ball For Her 'Renaissance' Grand Finale |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/fashion/beyonce-renaissance-tour-wardrobe-fashion-photos |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=[[W Magazine]] |language=en |quote=This very "Alien Superstar" ensemble by Zigman featured a semi-sheer bodysuit, metallic knee-high boots, and antena-like wings that doubled as a train.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-25 |title=Beyoncé wearing Croatian designer's outfit on latest world tour |url=https://www.croatiaweek.com/beyonce-wearing-croatian-designers-outfit-on-latest-world-tour/ |access-date=2023-10-30 |website=Croatia Week |language=en}}</ref>

"Alien Superstar" remained on the setlist for the [[Cowboy Carter Tour]] in 2025 with a performance similar to how it was during the previous tour, omitting the "[[Lift Off (song)|Lift Off]]" outro.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruggieri |first=Melissa |title=Beyoncé setlist: All the songs on her Cowboy Carter tour |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2025/04/29/beyonce-setlist-cowboy-carter-tour/83333899007/ |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ Weekly chart performance for "Alien Superstar"
! scope="col"| Chart (2022)
! scope="col"| Peak<br/>position
|-
{{single chart|Australia|31|artist=Beyoncé|song=Alien Superstar|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
|-
{{single chart|Canada|33|artist=Beyonce|rowheader=true|access-date=October 21, 2022|refname=Canada}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardcanadachrtop40|33|artist=Beyonce|rowheader=true|access-date=October 21, 2022}}
|-
{{single chart|France|73|artist=Beyoncé|song=Alien Superstar|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardglobal200|15|artist=Beyonce|rowheader=true|access-date=October 21, 2022}}
|-
! scope="row"|Greece International ([[IFPI Greece|IFPI]])<ref>{{cite web |title=Official IFPI Charts – Digital Singles Chart (International)|url=https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html |access-date=September 7, 2022 |website=ifpi.gr |archive-date=September 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220907062224/https://www.ifpi.gr/digital_ien.html}}</ref>
| 90
|-
! scope="row"| Iceland ([[Tónlistinn]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/|title=Tónlistinn – Lög|trans-title=The Music – Songs|language=is|publisher=Plötutíðindi|access-date=August 6, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806183048/http://plotutidindi.is/tonlistinn/|archive-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref>
| 29
|-
{{single chart|Ireland4|17|date=20220805|rowheader=true|access-date=October 14, 2022|refname=IRE}}
|-
{{single chart|New Zealand|35|artist=Beyoncé|song=Alien Superstar|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
|-
{{single chart|Portugal|27|artist=Beyoncé|song=Alien Superstar|rowheader=true|access-date=October 20, 2022}}
|-
{{single chart|South Africa2|2|year=2022|week=31|rowheader=true|access-date=June 1, 2024}}
|-
{{single chart|Switzerland|46|artist=Beyoncé|song=Alien Superstar|rowheader=true|access-date=October 16, 2022}}
|-
{{single chart|UK|16|date=20220805|rowheader=true|access-date=October 14, 2022|refname=UK}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardhot100|19|artist=Beyonce|rowheader=true|access-date=August 8, 2022|refname=BillboardHot100}}
|-
{{single chart|Billboardrandbhiphop|8|artist=Beyonce|rowheader=true|access-date=August 8, 2022}}
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+2022 year-end chart performance for "Alien Superstar"
! scope="col"| Chart (2022)
! scope="col"| Position
|-
! scope="row"| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2022/hot-r-and-and-b-hip-hop-songs/|title=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs – Year-End 2022|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 2, 2022}}</ref>
| 83
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Alien Superstar"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|certyear=2024|relyear=2022|artist=Beyoncé|title=7/11|award=Gold|type=single|access-date=April 16, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|artist=Beyoncé|title=Alien Superstar|award=Diamond|type=single|relyear=2022|certyear=2023|access-date=November 28, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Beyoncé|title=Alien Superstar|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2022|certyear=2023|access-date=January 20, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Beyoncé|title=Alien Superstar|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2022|certyear=2025|access-date=May 5, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Beyoncé|title=Alien Superstar|award=Gold|relyear=2022|certyear=2025|refname=nzcert|source=radioscope|access-date=September 5, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2022|certyear=2023|id=19196-682-1|title=Alien Superstar|artist=Beyoncé|type=single|award=Silver|access-date=August 4, 2023|refname=BPI}}
{{Certification Table Entry|type=single|region=United States|artist=Beyoncé|title=Alien Superstar|award=Platinum|relyear=2022|certyear=2024|access-date=December 17, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|noshipments=true|streaming=true}}

==References==
<references />

{{Beyoncé songs}}

[[Category:Beyoncé songs]]
[[Category:2022 songs]]
[[Category:Songs written by Beyoncé]]
[[Category:Songs written by Jay-Z]]
[[Category:Songs written by Mike Dean (record producer)]]
[[Category:Songs written by Labrinth]]
[[Category:Songs written by 070 Shake]]
[[Category:Songs written by Rami Yacoub]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Beyoncé]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by The-Dream]]
[[Category:Song recordings produced by Mike Dean (record producer)]]
[[Category:Songs written by Rob Manzoli]]
[[Category:Songs written by Fred Fairbrass]]
[[Category:Songs written by Richard Fairbrass]]
[[Category:Songs written by Atia Boggs]]

Alien Superstar - Revision history

190.201.203.120: /* Critical reception */