WHO SANG IT BETTER: BEYONCE VS. MARIO
Monday, October 29, 2007

Beyonce had a whole mess of unreleased tracks from her B’Day sessions and Mario has had some trouble with album release dates (Go! has been pushed back a lot since last year), so they both had some leftover tracks and time to mess around in the studio. So, here are two different version of the song “If.” Beyonce’s version is very melodic, and full of drama - from the vocal arrangement, to the production. It reminds of me of something out of a musical, while Mario’s version is more R&B-flavored song (he sings similar lyrics to the Beyonce version, but over Trey Songz’s “Can’t Help But Wait” track).
Even though they are two completely different takes on the song, you know we have to ask the question… who sang it better? Did Beyonce kill it, or did Mario do the song justice?








162 Comments
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1.
xoxoxoxo
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Mario’s head looks extra long in that pic.
2.
mrs sands
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Hmm this is a toss up, Im not sure which one is the wackest! Not artist wise but song wise.
3.
Ms. Risi
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Love Mario…Love Bey….Two very talented people…one track… they both sound nice to me…..
4.
nicky
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Well I must say Mario won! lol
5.
In A Different Mindstate
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Imma go with Bee. I prefer her adlibs
6.
CHA CHA
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
IDK…BEYONCE IS MY GIRL .. AND SHE CAN SING HER ASS OFF..
MARIO HES ON HIS GROWN MAN NOW…
7.
In A Different Mindstate
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Marios was kinda boring.
I wonder who recorded it first tho….
8.
Dame
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I can’t listen at work but I’m a fan of both artist.
9.
simone
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I love love love Mario……
beyonce
10.
simone
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
beyonce is not that great
11.
BRIAN
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
#7, beyonce’s was first, as far as I know.
12.
MissEnvied
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I must say…Bee’s ad-libs just do it for me! But Mario also gave it a nice R&B feel. Both of them deserve a A+ LOL…
13.
TeTe(Another hit..BarryBonds!)
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
cant dl mario’s version but i’ve been listenin to beyonce’s for months now and i love it. and even though im not her biggest fan,she knows how to get the point of a song across.she puts a lot of feeling into them
14.
jadak2332
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
they both did a great job with this song.. mario needs to come out with the song on a diffrent beat.. beyonce as usual is the shit cant nobody touch that song
15.
get_me_bodied
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
BEE DID DAT…
16.
Tonya Renée
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I like both. Mario could have been a little more daring with his vocals, that would have definitely brought the song to another level.
17.
lilamazingc
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
okay here it goes beyonce sounds good on certain songs but every song she does sound over the top for me so I am giving my vote to mario..
18.
FLaShIngLiGhTS
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I like Bey’s better…. because of the dramatization. Maybe if Mario’s wasn’t to the “Can’t Help But Wait” track.
19.
Souley
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Mario who?
20.
730
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I can never find this song… I love Beyonce’s version, but after hearing mario do his thing to it. I just realized its a hot song and needs to be on somebodies album or on the radio
21.
sassysexychick
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I say bee bee her adlibs are outstanding
22.
UGT
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Mario sang it first i kno for a fact.
23.
rachel
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Mario’s was way better..
24.
Sezro
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Beyone wins again!
25.
MYSTERIOUS_86
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
MARIO HANDS DOWN. BEYONCE’ NEED TO SWITCH UP HER STYLE. HER SLOW BALLADS SOUND ALIKE. THE ARE SLOW AND DROWNED OUT
26.
JoRo
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Mario.
27.
kinahbinah07
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
mario’s is really boring………..its not that If’m huge fan of bey’s either.
Mario could have done more with vocal arrangement and took more chances BUT
Bey’s was way too much every slow ballad she does sounds like a soap opera but to music.
they were both just ok
28.
alex
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
omg i so been waiting for yall to post that song on here with beyonce cuz i love it i got it on my ipod but i must say that mario version is cool too but i like beyonce version better cus i feel like you can feel her pain whereas he is just kind of singing the song and the beat is too fast
29.
Lady J
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
My vote goes to Beyonce. I was kinda really trying to find a reason to like Mario’s more, but I couldn’t. It was kinda boring. It was nice, it’s just boring when you hear against Beyonce’s version.
30.
leosag96
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I like Beyonce’s pop-ballad version of this. I think I would like Mario’s version of it if the Trey Songz beat wasn’t used. That’s one of my favorite songs so all I keep hearing is I can’t help but wait.
So I give it to Beyonce.
31.
LL Cool G
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
don’t even need to listen to mario’s version. beyonce’s version has been in my playlist for a good minute. i’m going w/ b’.
32.
I AM NOT A BEYONCE STAN! LMAO!
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
BUT BEY KILLED THAT SHIT ON DA REAL!!!
ARE BEY AND JAY HAVIN PROBLEMS? WHY IS SHE ALL THE SUDDEN PUTTIN OUT ALL THIS SAD STUFF? I THINK THEIR ARE ISSUES IN THAT RELATIONSHIP. FA SHO.
33.
Sharonda
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Beyonce’, some parts i can do without.
34.
KSH
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Blah to both of them.
Mario sounds boring as hell and Bey sounds EXACTLY like she does on most of her other songs.
35.
Rok
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
i like them both, and i think they’re too different to be compared IMO…beyonce’s version is dramatic and seems like a scene out of a movie or something, and mario’s is a blend of grown man quiet storm and trey songz…lol! they both did their thing though.
36.
Weekendgirl
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Bey is my girl, but Mario got this one. By leaps and bounds…
37.
CHRIS
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
BEYONCE WROTE THE SONG… AND THE ORIGINAL VERSION IS PRODUCED BY STARGATE… BUT YEA I LIKE BEYS VERSION BETTER BECAUSE IN MARIO’S THE TREY SONGZ BEAT MAKES ME SING TREY’S SONG INSTEAD OF…IF…BUT MARIO CAN SING HIS ASS OFF. AND WE ALL KNOW BEY GOT LIKE THE BEST VOCAL ABILITY
38.
Siri
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I believe Mario recorded this first. My BF had an internship with Sony when Mario first began working on his album so I heard/have the recordings that wasn’t used on the album. Trey Songz actually got that beat from them. MARIO got this one! I’m mad it’s not on the album.
39.
alex
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
@SIRI
actually beyonce wrote and recorded the song over a year and a half ago but decided not to put it on her album and the mario recorded it a couple months ago just thought i’d let you know okay bye im out
40.
tjer171
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
they should do this song together
41.
CoolBrutha27
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I like Beyonces version way better there is no comparison to me..but then I like the R@B songs with all the drama…thats just me i guess.
42.
WAH UP?!?!
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Beyonce’s version is very dramatized, definitly sounds like something out of a musical
Mario’s version is ok, kind of boring, maybe if he would have choose another beat for the song then it would be better
My vote is Beyonce
43.
Im the only polar bear up in this bitch
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I want so bad to say Mario but ama have to go with B.
44.
Vic Nice
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Mario’s version is cool but Bee’s trumps his anyday!Thanks for posting this Brian.I found out about Beyonce’s version a while back but never heard Mario’s.
45.
CJ
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Beyonce hands down. first of all,she recorded this song a year and half ago,basically leftover track from bday,plus this song was included in the bday re-release international version. so of coz it’s gonna be hard for Mario to put his stamp on this song,coz beyonce already OWNED that song.thats all
46.
meka
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
This was on Beyonce re release in Japan only she recorded it first, and wrote it. Mario version is nice but Beyonce killed it I love the way she dramatizes and builds up the song.
47.
Just Me
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
My vote goes to Beyonce. Her version is wayy more passionate…..I believe her more than I believe Mario. I don’t really believe Mario at all. His version is ok…..it’s just kinda boring. Beyonce killed it.
48.
bfree
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Mario’s version is great…I really got into the song after I heard him sing it….
49.
vexxed
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I’m on Bey Bey overload and it makes me tired of hearing her so much so, Mario’s version is a little more refreshing in that it’s nto the same old same…..
I love Beyonce and she is very talented…. I just need a break.
50.
foxxy380*Out My Socks
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Bey got this one.
51.
sxycarmel26
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I like Marios version only because i’m tired of hearing Beyonce overdramatize all her songs
52.
Ebz
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I think Beyonces was the best because she really brought the emotions alive. If Mario would have been a lil more emotion into it, it would have been great.
53.
DESTINY
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
both were boring. good lyrics though
54.
king john
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
MARIO VERSION WAS BETTER AND SHORTER-THAT BITCH BEYONCE IS TO EXTRA!!!!!!!!!
55.
GYP
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I LIKED BEE’S BETTER
56.
SheSoCrazy
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
MARIO all day.
I love B’s voice but Mario’s track just does IT for me.
#54 - I agree 100% but you didn’t have to go call her a bitch yo.
57.
Shawn08
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Every song should not be over dramatic…
Mario’s version is very refreshing! I’m feeling his version more….
58.
Olivia's #1 fan
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
…OMG, i loved mario’s version the best!!!
..but b’s was good also ( :
59.
YOU TOLD HARPO TO BEAT ME???
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Chris Rock…um, I mean Mario sounds ok, but I like Beyonce’s version better. But I may be biased because I used to kill Bee’s version on my ipod at the beginning of the year.
60.
PRINCE
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Bye gets it for me, althoug it bored me the first time around i think its a pretty good song. Jus tnot single material. Mario’s was lifeless to me.
61.
whatever
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Beyonce is the baddest chick she’s won it once again. She killed that shit! Mario should never try to do a song Beyonce’s sung ever again. His is too boring. Beyonce knows how to make you feel the emotions. Her voice gives u goosebumps.
62.
Dina
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I think Mario sang it better than Beyonce did. The arrangements were good(for beyonce’s) But the song was more BORING! I think Mario’s was more classic R&B! Much better!
63.
Phatabulous
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I like Mario’s version better.
64.
PRISTINE
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
whose responsible for writing the lyrics to this (rather these) song (s)?
65.
lameppken
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
IN MY OPINION MARIO SANG IT BETTER………..BEYONCE SEEMS TO JUST DO A LITTLE TOO MUCH TO MAKE YOU NOT LIKE A SONG…… ON MY INITIAL HEARING I’M LOOKIN’ AROUND LIKE WHAT IN THE HELL………AFTER I HEARD MARIO’S VERSION IT HAD THE “CANT HELP BUT WAIT” BEAT SO I LOOKED AROUND AGAIN, BUT MARIO CLEARLY TAKES THIS 1.
66.
lameppken
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
GOOSEBUMPS WHERE @ 61………BEYONCE AIN’T NEVER SANG NOTHING AND GAVEME GOOSEBUMPS……..SORRY IT IS WHAT IT IS….SHE CAN SING AND ALL BUT YA’LL FAIL TO REALIZE THAT SHE IS NOT THE GREATEST VOCALIST OF ALL TIME……..SHE JUST RUNNING SHYT RIGHT NOW……….I’VE HEARD BETTER
67.
Tiffany
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Beyonce Killed It! Its like she’s acting when she sings.. when the song is suppose to be about feeling hurt she sounds hurt!! I love drama I love her ! Go Bee!
68.
xxxyou
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
both did a good job
But i like Beyonce’s better
69.
NuAgenda77
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I don’t care for either. The song is O K. Beyonce sung the shit out of her version though.
70.
LoveJONES
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
mario
71.
4U2NV
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Mario’s version is way better!!! HANDS DOWN!!!
72.
J
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
@ Whatever I agree 100 percent!
Lameppkn Everybody has an opinion don’t nobody have to agree with you.
I got goosebumps when Beyonce sings Listen Dangerously In Love I mean she has like the best vocals. Can’t nobody touch her she is in a class by herself.
I like Mario but Beyonce clearly won this one. Besides she wrote this and recorded it first anyway.
73.
CRAB MENTALITY
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I actually like Trey Song’s version the best! LOLLOL.
Didn’t he do a song with this same beat? I mean really folks.
I don’t listen to the radio that often, but I know I’ve heard this before.
74.
CRAB MENTALITY
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
I can’t help but wait!!!
I think that’s the name of the Trey Songs song I’m thinking about.
Whatever. All music sounds the same these days anyway. When will someone be original?
75.
CRAB MENTALITY
Monday, October 29, 2007 /
Ya’ll don’t even need to say anything. I just now read what Brian wrote about the songs. LOL. I guess I should read before I listen next time, huh.
Anyway, I still say that all music sounds the same these days.
With that said, I guess I like B’s version better simply because it’s different. But I don’t really care for it at all.
Hmmm, is this going to be another Anti-B post?
Did anybody hear her song “I can’t take no more”? It’s a song she wrote for all her haters and whatnot. I wonder what people have to say about that song.
OK. I’m done for the nigth.
Peace CL folks.
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