Beyoncé Beyoncé "If I Were a Boy" is a song written by BC Jean and Toby Gad and originally performed by Jean in 2008.The song gained international attention the same year in a version by the American singer Beyoncé, from her third studio album I Am... Sasha Fierce (2008). Jean and Gad also handled its production alongside Beyoncé. Inspired by the difficult break-up of a romantic relationship, the song was initially recorded by Jean, whose record company rejected it. Beyoncé then recorded her own