“Jealous” is track 7 of Beyoncé’s eponymous fifth studio album. A clear power ballad, the song broods contemplatively through layers of distorted vocals, echoing yelps, and other sorts of experimental production.

Lyrically, it expands on several intricacies of a relationship; she explains how the balance of promise isn’t very equal in the relationship. She asks how it’s alright for her guy to run off in his world while leaving her lonesome in her own. “Jealous” is one of the most vulnerable and intimate songs on the album, and explores the imperfect side of her that Beyoncé rarely shows.

The Atlantic editor Nolan Feeney even made comments to argue that perhaps “Jealous” was one of the most important songs on the album due to her admittance of her errors at the end of the song – a radical transition from the unapologetic “Irreplaceable” or “Single Ladies” Beyoncé.

The context of the song recalls “Kitty Kat”, but it functions on a more emotional level rather than sexual.

The video that accompanies “Jealous” is directed by Bey herself, Francesco Carrozzini and Todd Tourso; it’s shot in New York City and functions as one of the most beautifully shot videos on the album in terms of videography.