The music video sees BeyoncГ© incorporate a mix of classic and modern dances, with references to pieces like that of Audrey Hepburn's appearance in Funny Face. 'Countdown' peaked at number 35 on the UK Singles Chart and number nine on the UK R&B Chart.ДЄdria Petty directed the accompanying music video, which was recorded whilst Knowles was pregnant in August 2011. It has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). It also peaked at number 12 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and number one on the US Hot Dance Club Songs chart. 'Countdown' peaked at number 71 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

The song finished second in 2011's Pazz & Jop critics' poll and was included on the list of the year's best songs by various critics and publications including Spin, Rolling Stone and The Guardian. Several music critics were surprised by its maturity and compared it to BeyoncГ©'s earlier solo work and with Destiny's Child. Lyrically, the female protagonist delivers a message of monogamy to her lover, celebrating self-worthiness as well as appreciating him. It was sent to radio on Octoas the fifth single from 4.ДЇeaturing a sample of ' Uhh Ahh' by Boyz II Men, 'Countdown' incorporates aspects of hip hop, funk, reggae and world music.

The song's conception was brought about by Knowles desiring to mix musical styles of the 1990s with the 1970s. The song was written by Knowles, Terius Nash, Shea Taylor, Ester Dean, Cainon Lamb, Julie Frost, Michael Bivins, Nathan Morris and Wanya Morris, and produced by BeyoncГ©, Taylor and Lamb. ' Countdown' is a song recorded by American singer BeyoncГ© Knowles for her fourth studio album, 4 (2011).

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