Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has unveiled a new track, "Can I Watch You" featuring Pharrell Williams on the special anniversary edition of her sophomore album, "B'Day," out now.
The Grammy-winning singer released her "B'Day" 20th anniversary deluxe album on Spotify on Sept. 3, a day before her birthday, Sept. 4. The new 27-track project is a reissue of her second studio album, "B'Day," marking the album's 20-year anniversary. The latest version includes a handful of unreleased tunes, in addition to the original 2006 songs. While several of the songs have previously leaked or appeared on special releases and international editions, one track in particular has remained largely unheard by fans: "Can I Watch You."
On the new song, Williams and Beyoncé come
together on the chorus: "Can I watch you? /Watch where your fingers go?/ Watch you make baby bows?/ Watch your soul slowly go?/ Can I watch you?/ Watch 'til your eyes is closed/ Watch 'til you curl your toes/ Right when you're screaming, "Oh baby"
The deluxe album also features previously unreleased tunes including "Creole," "Lost Yo Mind," "My First Time," and "Back Up." The anniversary project also includes Spanish versions of songs like "Get Me Bodied" (Mueve el Cuerpo) and "Listen" (Oye). Leading up to its release, Beyoncé released a deluxe "B'Day" vinyl with a 60-page collectible booklet, including "B'Day" era imagery and an anniversary "B'Day" CD.
The anniversary project also includes Spanish versions of songs like "Get Me Bodied" (Mueve el Cuerpo) and "Listen" (Oye). Leading up to its release, Beyoncé released a deluxe "B'Day" vinyl with a 60-page collectible booklet, including "B'Day" era imagery and an anniversary "B'Day" CD.
Beyoncé first teased the anniversary project when sheofficially released her song "Morning Dew (Donk)" on July 4. The surprise drop kicked off a 60-day countdown for the reissue. The track, which blends smooth R&B vocals with contemporary pop production, came almost a decade after bits of the song first leaked on social media.
A month later, on Aug. 4, the singer released a remix pack including a version of "Morning Dew (Donk)" featuring her husband Jay-Z.That track came with a hard-hitting beat that combined hip-hop hits such as Soulja Boy's anthem "Donk," Sheck Wes' ubiquitous "Mo Bamba" and even a R&B classic by The Isley Brothers, "Between the Sheets."
"B'Day" was originally released on Beyoncé's 25th birthday on Sept. 4, 2006 by Columbia Records, Music World Entertainment, and Sony Urban Music. The 13-track project, which later came with accompanying music videos, became the blueprint for Beyoncé's superstar status after her successful debut studio album became the launchpad.
The album produced six singles including "Déjà Vu," "Irreplaceable," "Get Me Bodied," "Green Light" and "Ring the Alarm," which became her highest-chart debut at the time. "Irreplaceable" became her fourth Billboard Hot 100 number-one at the time. The album went on to win a Grammy for best contemporary R&B album at the 49th annual award show in 2007.
Beyoncé released an expanded "B’Day" Deluxe Edition on April 3, 2007, adding bonus tracks to the original album, including "Flaws and All," "Welcome to Hollywood" and "If." The deluxe album also featured Spanish-language versions and remixes, including "Beautiful Liar" with Shakira and "Irreplaceable."
Will Beyoncé perform with Jay-Z in London on her birthday, Sept. 4?
Jay-Z is alsocommemorating the 30th anniversary of his debut album "Reasonable Doubt," released June 25, 1996, and the 25th anniversary of his sixth studio album "Blueprint," released Sept. 11, 2001. The Grammy-winning rapper is set to take the stage Sept. 4 at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Fans are eagerly waiting to see if Beyoncéwill make a surprise birthday appearance and if the two will perform some of the "B'Day" tracks together.
Follow Caché McClay, the USA TODAY Network's Beyoncé Knowles-Carter reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @cachemcclay.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Beyoncé releases new song with Pharrell Williams on new 'B'Day' album
