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Beyond (Leon Bridges song)

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"Beyond"
Single by Leon Bridges
from the album Good Thing
ReleasedApril 20, 2018 (2018-04-20)
Studio
Genre
Length4:00
LabelColumbia Records
Songwriters
  • Todd Bridges
  • Eric Frederic
  • Nate Mercereau
  • Justin Tranter
  • Austin Michael Jenkins
  • Joshua Block
Producers
Leon Bridges singles chronology
"Bet Ain't Worth the Hand" / "Bad Bad News"
(2018)		 "Beyond"
(2018)		 "That Was Yesterday"
(2019)
Music video
"Beyond" on YouTube
"Beyond (Vibe Tape Mix)" on YouTube

"Beyond" is a song by American singer-songwriter Leon Bridges from his 2018 album Good Thing. The song was released as a single on April 20 of the same year. An R&B and country love song with musical elements inspired by Ginuwine and Van Morrison, "Beyond" features Bridges singing about the possibility of the woman he loves being his soulmate over an acoustic guitar, percussion, and a bass-driven beat. On May 31, 2018, Bridges released the music video, which centered on a romance between Bridges and a woman in El Paso, Texas. Critics received the track positively, and it was later ranked number 38 on PopMatters' 60 Best Songs of 2018.

In June 2018, Bridges performed the song with country singer Luke Combs on CMT Crossroads; Bridges would officially release a version of the song featuring Combs in September of the same year. Other versions consist of an acoustic version and a remix, which Bridges released a month earlier. In October 2025, Dua Lipa brought out Bridges at the Dallas stop of her Radical Optimism Tour where they performed the song together.

Background and composition

[edit]
A Black man singing on a microphone.
A white man sitting, holding a guitar.
Ginuwine (left) and Van Morrison (right) inspired musical elements of "Beyond".

After Bridges explored 1960s soul music in his debut album Coming Home, he ventured to other retro musical styles with the first two singles to his 2018 follow-up, Good Thing, such as the jazz with a "hip-hop pulse" heard in "Bad Bad News".[1] Bridges intended with the album to take his sound into a "more modern R&B direction."[2] With "Beyond", Bridges aimed to infuse R&B with a "country twang",[3] the type of genre fusion which Bridges stated he loves incorporating to make a song as "fresh" as he can.[4] Accompanied by an acoustic guitar inspired by Van Morrison,[4][5][2] "throwback percussion",[2] and a modern "bass-heavy beat",[2] Bridges sings a contemplation of "romantic destiny" in an R&B melody that draws from Ginuwine.[5][4] The song's lyrics represent a conversation Bridges has with his mother.[3][6] Bridges talks about the possibility of his partner being his soulmate with "all the exhilaration and terror that proposition entails",[3] but despite the signs pointing to its likelihood, Bridges still hesitates to state it.[2] The song "gradually crescendoes", leading to a climax of "falsetto swoops and layered backing vocals."[5]

When writing lyrics, Bridges stated he aims to respect the female subject of the song rather than objectify her, further stating to Relix:

I’m the kind of person who moves fast. I’m not some hopeless romantic, but when the time for love is ready, that’s when I will be. It’s always fun to make love, but I also have to dig you as a person. That’s what ‘Beyond’ is about, and really that was the whole point of this album. I wanted to create this kind of direct poetry within a song. I didn’t want to make something that people felt like they can’t connect with, you know?

— Leon Bridges, 2018.[4]

Bridges wrote "Beyond" after being inspired by a woman he was in a casual relationship with who had told him she loved him, when no other woman had told him the same.[3]

Critical reception

[edit]

Critics received the song positively. Chris DeVille of Stereogum stated "Beyond" was a "dreamy tune", with drum programming "so organic-sounding you might not notice it's drum programming." He further described it as "gentle and pretty", writing that it sounded like a classic without completely venturing to a retro style.[1] Adreon Patterson of Paste called the track's production "heartwarming", which he stated Bridges' "soulful vocals" fit suitably "as he glides over the track, hitting every peak and valley with his layered background vocals."[2] Zachary Hoskins of Slant Magazine stated that "Beyond" is an effortless integration of country and soul.[7] Olivia Horn of Pitchfork called it a "standout single".[8]

PopMatters ranked the song number 38 on their list of the 60 Best Songs of 2018.[9] They stated that Bridges "brought to life the agony and the ecstasy of falling in love", and that with the modern arrangement that resembles Motown sound, "these tribulations have never sounded better."[9]

Music video

[edit]

Bridges released a music video for "Beyond" on May 31, 2018. The video is set in El Paso, Texas, and depicts a "retro romance" where Bridges and a woman gradually become closer as they laugh over dinner, walk through markets, and dance at a diner,[10][11] with the video showing "picturesque footage" of the two in various El Paso locations.[12]

Live performances

[edit]

On June 28, 2018, Bridges performed "Beyond" with country singer Luke Combs in an episode of CMT Crossroads.[13] Six months later on December 6, Bridges performed the song on the Late Late Show with James Corden.[14][15]

Seven years later, on October 1, 2025, Dua Lipa brought out Bridges at the Dallas stop of her Radical Optimism Tour, where they performed "Beyond" together.[16]

Other versions

[edit]

In August 2018, Bridges released an acoustic version of "Beyond" featuring a live band, and a remix dubbed the "Vibe Tape Mix".[17] A month later in September, Bridges officially released a live version of "Beyond" with Combs.[18][19][20]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are adapted from the liner notes of Good Thing. The song was recorded at Elysian Park (Los Angeles, California) and House Of The Setting Sun (Twentynine Palms, California).[21]

  • Todd Bridges, Eric Frederic, Nate Mercereau, Justin Tranter, Austin Michael Jenkins, and Joshua Block – songwriting
  • Ricky Reed and Nate Mercereau – production
  • Nate Mercereau and Ethan Shumaker – engineering
  • Nate Mercereau – drums, bass, guitar, organ, Wurlitzer, percussion

Charts

[edit]

Weekly charts

[edit]
Chart (2018) Peak
position
US Adult Pop Airplay (Billboard)[22]19
US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[23]38
US Hot R&B Songs (Billboard)[24]21
US Adult Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[25]2
US Adult R&B Songs (Billboard)[26]19

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "Beyond"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[27] 2× Platinum 140,000‡
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[28] Platinum 40,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[29] Platinum 80,000‡
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[30] Gold 45,000‡
New Zealand (RMNZ)[31] 3× Platinum 90,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[32] Gold 400,000‡
United States (RIAA)[33] 2× Platinum 2,000,000‡
Streaming
Sweden (GLF)[34] Gold 4,000,000†

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.
† Streaming-only figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 DeVille, Chris (April 20, 2018). "Leon Bridges – "Beyond"". Stereogum. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Patterson, Adreon (July 27, 2022). "Leon Bridges Might Have Found the One on New Single "Beyond"". Paste. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Rindner, Grant. "Leon Bridges Breaks Down "Beyond" On Genius' Series 'Verified'". Verified. Genius. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Inman, Matt (April 19, 2018). "Leon Bridges: Hungry is My State of Mind". Relix. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Reed, Ryan (April 20, 2018). "Hear Leon Bridges' Soulful, Romantic New Song 'Beyond'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  6. ↑ Vain, Madison (May 1, 2018). "Leon Bridges Talks New Album Good Thing". Esquire. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  7. ↑ Hoskins, Zachary (May 2, 2018). "Review: Leon Bridges, Good Thing". Slant Magazine. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  8. ↑ Horn, Olivia (May 8, 2018). "Leon Bridges: Good Thing". Pitchfork. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  9. 1 2 "The 60 Best Songs of 2018 » PopMatters". PopMatters. December 18, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  10. ↑ Aniftos, Rania (May 31, 2018). "Leon Bridges Lets Himself Fall in Love in 'Beyond' Music Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  11. ↑ Folk, Antwane (June 4, 2018). "Leon Bridges Enjoys Simple Dates in 'Beyond' Video". Rated R&B. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  12. ↑ Litton, Andra (May 31, 2018). "El Paso Showcased in Leon Bridges' Video for 'Beyond'". KTSM 9 News. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  13. ↑ Freeman, Jon (June 28, 2018). "Watch Leon Bridges, Luke Combs Sing 'Beyond' for 'CMT Crossroads'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  14. ↑ Reitman, Shelby (December 7, 2018). "Leon Bridges Delivers Soulful Performance Of 'Beyond' On 'Late Late Show': Watch". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  15. ↑ Reed, Ryan (December 7, 2018). "Watch Leon Bridges Perform Romantic Song 'Beyond' on 'Corden'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  16. ↑ Ede-Osifo, Uwa (October 2, 2025). "Dua Lipa brings out Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, Leon Bridges at Dallas show". Dallas News. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ Folk, Antwane (August 14, 2018). "Leon Bridges Shares Two New Versions of 'Beyond'". Rated R&B. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  18. ↑ Gage, Jeff (September 21, 2018). "Hear Luke Combs, Leon Bridges' Live 'Crossroads' Duets". Rolling Stone. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Luke Combs and Leon Bridges Release Two Tracks From 'CMT Crossroads'". iHeart Radio. September 21, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  20. ↑ Cholst, Rachel (September 24, 2018). "Listen to Luke Combs and Leon Bridges Duet on 'Beautiful Crazy'". Wide Open Country. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  21. ↑ Leon Bridges (2018). Good Thing (compact disc liner notes). Columbia Records. 19075839942.
  22. ↑ "Leon Bridges Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Leon Bridges Chart History (Rock & Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  24. ↑ "Leon Bridges Chart History (Hot R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Leon Bridges Chart History (Adult Alternative Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved June 10, 2026.
  26. ↑ "Leon Bridges Chart History (Adult R&B Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  27. ↑ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2025 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  28. ↑ "Brazilian single certifications – Leon Bridges – Beyond" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  29. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Leon Bridges – Beyond". Music Canada. Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  30. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Leon Bridges – Beyond". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
  31. ↑ "New Zealand single certifications – Leon Bridges – Beyond". Radioscope. Retrieved June 11, 2026. Type Beyond in the "Search:" field and press Enter.
  32. ↑ "British single certifications – Leon Bridges – Beyond". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 18, 2026. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Beyond Leon Bridges in the "Search:" field.
  33. ↑ "American single certifications – Leon Bridges – Beyond". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 11, 2026.
  34. ↑ "Grammotex – Artikeldata Artist: Leon Bridges Titel: Beyond" (in Swedish). Grammotex. Retrieved July 18, 2026.
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