Before I Let Go
Beyoncé Lyrics

(What he say? Whoa whoa, oh)
The song is introduced with a question about what was just said, accompanied by a sound of surprise.

(Tay Keith, fuck these niggas up)
The producer of the song is introduced while a vulgar expression is used as an imperative to express that the song will be intense.

(Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on)
A repetitive chant is used to motivate people to dance and be excited about the song.

(Getting ready, getting ready, getting ready for)
The repetition of this phrase creates a suspenseful and upbeat tone as people are getting ready for the good times ahead.

You make me happy
The singer declares that the person being addressed brings happiness to their life.

This you can bet, yeah
The assurance given in this line suggests that the happiness brought by the person being addressed is guaranteed.

It's clear right beside me, yeah (come on, come on)
The person being addressed is close to the singer, and the repetition of 'come on' urges people to keep dancing and enjoying the moment.

And I won't forget (come on, come on)
The singer emphasizes that they won't forget the good times spent with the person being addressed, while again urging people to keep dancing and enjoying the moment.

And I really love you
The singer openly expresses their love to the person being addressed.

You should know
The singer wants the person being addressed to be aware of their deep feelings of love.

I wanna make sure I'm right, boy
Before committing to a relationship with the person being addressed, the singer wants to make sure that everything is right.

Before I let go
The singer is determined to do everything possible to hold on to the person being addressed because they are too important to let go.

Now, we had our good times
The singer acknowledges that they have had enjoyable moments with the person being addressed.

That we can say
The singer is showing certainty that there were enjoyable moments in the relationship.

We hurted each other, yeah
The singer acknowledges that both parties caused each other pain in the relationship.

And, boy, it's a shame
The singer feels regretful about the negative aspects of the relationship.

I won't be foolish, no
The singer is determined not to make any more foolish decisions in the relationship going forward.

I wanna know
The singer wants to make sure that all questions are answered before continuing the relationship.

I wanna make sure I'm bright, boy
The singer wants to be sure that they are making the right choices and decisions for their own happiness.

Yeah, uh, yeah, yeah
A repetition of 'yeah' creates an upbeat tone leading to the next verse.

You know, I thank God sun rises and shines on you
The singer is expressing the thought that the person being addressed is a blessing in their life.

You know there's nothing, nothing, nothing I would not do, oh
The singer would do anything to keep the person being addressed in their life, emphasizing their importance.

Before I let you go, oh
The singer is determined to hold on to the person being addressed because losing them would be devastating.

I would never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never
The repetition of 'never' emphasizes the singer's determination not to let go of the person being addressed.

Let you go before I go
The singer wants to be with the person being addressed until the very end.

I pull up to Coachella (pull up)
The singer is referring to a specific event, Coachella music festival.

In boots with the ghost feathers (pull up)
The singer describes their outfit, which includes boots with feathers.

I brought the squad with me (squad)
The singer came to the festival with their group of friends, known as a 'squad'.

Black on black bandanas, I
The singer is wearing matching bandanas with their friends.

Dussé and Champagne (Champagne)
The singer is enjoying a drink that is a combination of Dussé and Champagne.

I did the damn thing (I did the damn thing)
The singer is acknowledging their success and positive experience at the festival.

Dirty Diana (Dirty Diana)
The singer is enjoying the music of Michael Jackson, specifically the song 'Dirty Diana'.

Singing and dancing all in the rain
The singer is enjoying the festival despite the rain and is singing and dancing along.

Ooh (to the left), I just wanna have a good time (turn around)
The singer is having fun and encourages everyone to join in while dancing and turning around.

Kick, then slide
The singer instructs people to kick and then slide in their dance moves.

And twirl that ass to the right, now
The singer encourages people to twirl to the right and not be afraid to let loose.

Ooh, bunny hop, bunny hop, drop, pop
The singer introduces another dance move that involves the bunny hop, a drop, and a pop.

Cross your legs, turn around and clap
The singer instructs people to cross their legs, turn around, and clap in the dance moves.

Shuffle to the left, let's glide now
The singer encourages people to shuffle to the left while gliding.

Ooh, drop it down, drop it down low, low
The singer urges people to drop down low while dancing.

Low, low, low to the floor, floor
The dancer should get as low as they can while dancing.

Bring it up, clap, then roll, roll
The singer instructs people to bring their dance moves up, clap, and then roll.

(Step) step on 'em, step on 'em, step on 'em, step
The singer creates another dance routine that involves stepping on the ground and clapping while facing forward.

Step on 'em, kick on 'em, stomp then you step
The dance routine involves stepping and kicking forward and then stomping before stepping again.

Swag the right, surf the left
The singer instructs people to have a 'swag' to the right and then 'surf' to the left.

Work the middle 'til it hurt a little
The singer wants people to dance hard and feel the burn in their midsection.

Before I let, before I let, b-b-before I let go
The repetition of the phrase suggests that the singer is determined not to let go of the person being addressed.