July 27, 2023. That’s the day that Beyoncé’s seventh studio album, Renaissance, leaked in its entirety– exactly two days before its scheduled release on July 29. As a much anticipated LP– the singer’s first solo studio album since 2016’s LEMONADE– those who couldn’t wait any longer, decided to listen to the project.

I was one of them. Although the singer would admonish me and all the others who decided to unwrap a summer Christmas present a little early– thanking her fans who waited (like the fools they are)– the process of selecting a favorite track already began. On first listen, I got it: “Heated.”

“I’m That Girl” reminded me of JT from The City Girls. I thought it was a bold opener. “Alien Superstar” was buzzed about as the label’s favorite. It worked for the theme of the album, but a year later it has yet to be released as a single. “Church Girl” immediately became an instant favorite, because the production slapped. The beat switch on “Move” had enthralled me. But when the album approached its eleventh track, I completely lost my mind.

When I first heard “Heated,” I was waiting for the red line of Salt Lake City’s metro. The temperature had been well over 100 degrees, and the train was delayed. I stood out in the heat by the downtown courthouse, looking down the street, waiting and waiting. My personal clock was running out of time as I had to pick up some artwork for a Renaissance themed party I would be hosting Saturday night at the end of that week. I had been running late for work. Fittingly enough, I started to get heated.

From the first note, I had been raptured, but when the bass of “Heated” kicked in and Bey started singing, I backed the track up. It had not even crossed into a minute, and the replay button got pressed faster than ever. Then I let the song play out. We’re getting afrobeats. We’re getting dancehall. We’re getting pristine vocal quality. Is she rapping now? Oh shit she’s killing it. “Uncle Johnny made my dress, that cheap Spandex she looks a mess,” she sings at the song’s end. The track got backed up one more time. By the time I got to the Walgreens and purchased all that I needed, I backed the track up again as sweat rolled down my forehead. When walking into my place of work at that time, I was listening to “Heated.” In the days following and the weeks later, “Heated” became the strut anthem.

Over the course of a year, I played “Heated” ad nauseam. I DJ’ed the song ad nauseam whenever hosting a party. I showered to “Heated” in the morning. I thought about a former love, and would listen to “Heated” knowing that I was better than the situation at hand. Because sometimes, someone can truly get you “Heated.” The seasons rolled by and the temperature got colder, and I still listened to “Heated.”

Once the karaoke bars added “Heated” to their roster, I sang it with as much attitude as I could. When I should have cooled it down, “Heated” did not in fact do that.

The tour clips of Renaissance were a sight to see. Everyday there was a viral moment. From Bey pointing at a fan (a literal one) singing “she ain’t no diva” to the malfunctions of the stage equipment to the continuous costume changes. “Heated” however stood out the most. Mainly because it was choreographed in the least expected way. Instead of it being the colorful dance number I imagined, Bey stood on stage surrounded by a bunch of alien microphones like she was making a grand statement, and just delivered the song on stage. The audience chanted back lyric for lyric, and bar for bar. Oftentimes, the rap portion would trip even Bey up proving that she’s a host of imperfections. And somehow those moments became the most endearing.

“Heated” became the powerful moment of the tour. It’s the dedication to her gay uncle who died of AIDS. Something about “Heated” had always resonated. It’s fiery. It has sass. It’s the latest gay anthem to really make a statement. “Heated” holds the most attitude out of the entire Renaissance album, the way it blends diasporas. “Heated” is a reminder of the fun had on “7/11,” the power of “Ring The Alarm,” and the high energy of “My Power.” All the other tracks of Renaissance are subdued compared to “Heated.”

Yeah, I may have broken the rules. But I’m grateful. Because “Heated” is truly that song from the very start!