

According to Bogart, the song was written specifically with Beyoncé in mind however, it was tentatively offered to Simon Cowell for his client Leona Lewis before Bey had recorded it.

The song drew critical praise, but also many comparisons and a few controversies. “Halo” was released simultaneously with “Diva” on January 20, 2009. The pair drew inspiration from Ray LaMontagne’s “Shelter”. Kidd Bogart & OneRepublic’s Ryan Tedder, a day after Tedder had surgery on a broken Achilles' tendon, causing the cancellation of the band’s tour. The intimate power ballad took home Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 52nd Grammy Awards, and has converted over 3 million digital units thus far.

Equipped with emotional vocalizations and angelic overtones, the song remains one of Bey’s most magnificent and impressive songs. One of Bey’s most vocally demanding and optimistic works, “Halo” comes off as a centerpiece in the I Am… disc of Beyoncé’s third studio album.
