"I Was Here" is a song by American singer Beyoncé Knowles, taken from her fourth studio album, 4 (2011). It was written by Diane Warren, while production was handled by Ryan Tedder, Brent Kutzle, and Kuk Harrell; Knowles is credited on the vocal production. "I Was Here" is a reflective ballad, in which Knowles vulnerably reviews her past, wanting to leave an impact on the world before her life comes to an end. The song's development was motivated by the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States.
"I Was Here" garnered both positive and negative reviews from music critics, most of whom criticized the song's inclusion on the track-listing of the album and expressed discomfort about Knowles worrying about her legacy and wanting to leave an impact on the world, given that she was still below thirty years of age when she recorded this "career song", as described by Warren. Critics, nevertheless, favored Knowles' vocal performance on the song, which is complemented by piano keys and heavy drum beats.
I wanna leave my footprints on the sands of time
Know there was something that, and 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 want to say I lived each day, until I died
And know that I meant something in, somebody's life
The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I lived
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 to 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 lived), I loved
I was here...
I did (I did), I've done
I was here
I lived (I lived), I loved (I loved)
I was here... (oh)
I did, I've done
I was here...
