2006: #3 - "Irreplaceable"

Deemed by some as "too pop" or "too much like contemporary R&B" (as opposed to the irritating, retro faux-soul of 1st single "Ring the Alarm"?), "Irreplaceable" always had more in common with new jack swing and "legit" R&B/soul than some of Beyonce's other recent efforts because it actually swings rather than bludgeons, and it hooks you with actual bright, melodies rather than pummels you with attitude and yelling. In some ways, it reminded me of a later Supremes song, and Diana Ross never needed anything more than a few guitar chords and some solid melodies to create soulful gold.