
The ballad was also likened to Vanessa Carlton's 2002 single "A Thousand Miles" (2002). However, some lyrics, including "showed your ass" and "sucks to be you right now", were criticized. Some critics viewed it as a sequel to Beyoncé's 2006 single "Irreplaceable" as the two songs are thematically similar. Not wanting to feel broken-hearted, the female protagonist sings that she feels happy to have left her lover, who did not recognize the potential for a happy life with her. A pop and R&B ballad, the subjects of "Best Thing I Never Had" are revenge and karma. Beyoncé said that both men and women should be able to relate to the song. The song was originally not written as a ballad, but was inspired by the drumming on Doug E. Que" Smith, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, Symbolyc One, Caleb McCampbell, Antonio Dixon, Beyoncé, and Shea Taylor.

"Best Thing I Never Had" was composed by Patrick "J. It was released by Columbia Records on June 1, 2011, as the third single from the album. "Best Thing I Never Had" is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé for her fourth studio album, 4 (2011). I used to F want you so bad B9 Dm Im so through it that C9 F B9 Cause honestly you turned out to be the Dm C9 (best thing I never had) F B9 Dm Oh you turned out to be the (best thing I C9 never had) F B9 Dm Oh I will never be the (best thing you C9 B9 never had) C9 Oh baby, I bet it sucks to be you right now F B9 Dm C9 Goes.
