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  1. Tracks
  2. Beyoncé
  3. 4 (Expanded Edition)
  4. I Was Here
I Was Here by Beyoncé

SINGLE

Beyoncé

I Was Here

Release date: 23rd June 2011

From 4 (Expanded Edition)
Track 14
3:58
PopMusic
Spotify Apple Music More on Beyoncé

About This Track

'I Was Here' appeared on the expanded edition of Beyoncé's 2011 album '4', released through Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia. The track builds its chorus around a simple declaration of presence and purpose, each repetition anchoring the song's meditation on legacy and the desire to leave something meaningful behind. The lyrics frame existence as both action and evidence. Beyoncé sings of footprints on the sands of time, of hearts touched as proof of a life lived fully, the song structured as a series of affirmations rather than questions. The bridge shifts briefly to specifics, a list of modest ambitions: giving one's all, bringing someone happiness, leaving the world a little better. The sentiment is earnest without overreach, the scale deliberately human rather than grand. A version recorded for United Nations World Humanitarian Day exists, the song's themes of contribution and remembrance aligning with the occasion's outreach focus. The studio track remains measured, its production allowing the lyric to carry the weight.

"I Was Here" is a single by Beyoncé, from the album 4 (Expanded Edition), released 23rd June 2011. The track is 3:58 long. Full lyrics are available below. Dork has published 17 articles about Beyoncé.

About the Artist

Beyoncé

Beyoncé

Lyrics

I Was Here

I want to leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, something that I left behind
When I leave this world, I'll leave no regrets
Leave something to remember, so they won't forget

I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know I was here

I wanna say I lived each day, until I died
I know that I had something in somebody's life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave
That I made a difference and this world will see

I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know

I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I will leave my mark so everyone will know
I was here

I just want them to know
That I gave my all, did my best
Brought someone some happiness
Left this world a little better just because
I was here

I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done, everything that I wanted
And it was more than I thought it would be
I wanna leave my mark so everyone will know

I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done
I was here, I lived, I loved, I was here
I did, I've done
I was here

Lyrics provided by LRCLIB

View full lyrics page →

Track details

From 4 (Expanded Edition)

3:582011Single
Listen
Album
4 (Expanded Edition)
4 (Expanded Edition)
Beyoncé
24th June 2011
Track number
14
Release year
2011
  1. 1Love On Top
    4:28
  2. 2Party (feat. André 3000)
    4:05
  3. 3Schoolin' Life
    4:53
  4. 5I Miss You
    2:59

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COWBOY CARTER
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BREAK MY SOUL REMIXES - Single
BREAK MY SOUL REMIXES - Single
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RENAISSANCE
RENAISSANCE
2022
BREAK MY SOUL - Single
BREAK MY SOUL - Single
2022
The Lion King: The Gift [Deluxe Edition]
The Lion King: The Gift [Deluxe Edition]
2020
The Lion King: The Gift
The Lion King: The Gift
2019

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  6. Crazy in Love [Mixed]
  7. Crazy In Love [Remix] [Mixed]
  8. Ever
  9. I Can't Go On
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  • 6Dance For You
    6:16
  • 7I Care
    4:00
  • 8Rather Die Young
    3:43
  • 91+1
    4:34
  • 10End of Time
    3:44
  • 11Run the World (Girls)
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  • 12Best Thing I Never Had
    4:14
  • 13Start Over
    3:19
  • 14I Was Here
    3:58
  • —1+1
    4:34
  • —I Care
    3:59
  • —I Miss You
    2:59
  • —Best Thing I Never Had
    4:14
  • —Party (feat. André 3000)
    4:05
  • —Rather Die Young
    3:42
  • —Start Over
    3:19
  • —Love On Top
    4:27
  • —Countdown
    3:32
  • —End of Time
    3:44
  • —I Was Here
    3:59
  • —Run the World (Girls)
    3:56

    • Credits

    Production & Engineering

    Writer
    Diane Warren
    Producer
    Brent Kutzle, Ryan Tedder
    Engineer
    John Hanes
    Drums
    Ryan Tedder
    Guitar
    Brent Kutzle
    Additional Production
    Brent Kutzle, Ryan Tedder
    Assistant Engineer
    Eric Aylands, Jon Sher, Smith Carlson
    Assistant Mixing Engineer
    Phil Seaford
    Background Vocals
    Ryan Tedder
    Cello
    Brent Kutzle
    Mastering Engineer
    Tom Coyne
    Mixing Engineer
    Șerban Ghenea
    Piano
    Brent Kutzle, Ryan Tedder
    Recording Engineer
    Brent Kutzle, Kuk Harrell, Ryan Tedder
    Video Director
    Kenzo Digital, Sophie Muller
    Vocal Producer
    Beyoncé, Kuk Harrell
    READ MORE ABOUT BEYONCÉREAD MORE ABOUT BEYONCÉREAD MORE ABOUT BEYONCÉREAD MORE ABOUT BEYONCÉ
    READ MORE ABOUT BEYONCÉREAD MORE ABOUT BEYONCÉREAD MORE ABOUT BEYONCÉREAD MORE ABOUT BEYONCÉ
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