Beyonce – XO

“XO” is a power ballad recorded by American singer Beyoncé from her self-titled fifth studio album in 2013.^[2] Columbia Records released the song as the lead contemporary hit radio single from the album in the US and Italy on December 16, 2013. Ryan Tedder composed and co-wrote and co-produced “XO” with Terius “The-Dream” Nash and Beyoncé, with additional production handled by Chauncey “Hit-Boy” Hollis and HazeBanga Music. A pure midtempo Pop love song with electronic influences, “XO” is complete with electronic musical instrumentation, synthesizers and drums. Musically, it was compared to Beyoncé’s own song “Halo” and was noted for having several music hooks including its call and response chorus.

The usage of an audio sample from Space Shuttle Challenger disaster at the beginning of the song was criticized by the families of the lost crew, NASA, and some media. Beyoncé released a statement saying that the song was intended to help people who have lost loved people in their lives and that the sample was included as a tribute to the Challenger crew. “XO” managed to appear on many music charts across Europe and Oceania and it peaked at number 45 on the US Billboard Hot 100.