Start Over (Beyoncé song)

The song's development was motivated by the fact that Knowles traveled around the world and experienced different cultures which inspired love and purity inside her.

"Start Over" received mixed to positive reviews from music critics, who noted that the song was quite similar to Knowles' older material.

[15] Lewis Corner of Digital Spy further noted that the "raspy and husky growls" that Knowles adopts occasionally on "Start Over", show an "offering moments of raw, heartfelt emotion".

[6] In the pre-chorus lines, Knowles sings: "Maybe it's over, maybe we're through, but I honestly can say I still love you / Maybe we reached a mountain peak and there’s no more left to climb / and maybe we lost a magic piece and we're too blind to find" while her vocals are followed by background sounds.

MTV's Jenna Hally Rubenstein wrote that in the song, Knowles shows her best side, which according to her were the "larger-than-life, emotionally tortured, breathy ballads.

[20] Chad Grischow of IGN commented that the chiming blend of synth and piano over a hollow beat on "Start Over" showcase the vulnerability in Knowles' vocals effectively.

"[8] Cristin Maher of the same publication in his review of 4 wrote: "Although it is easy for some to get sick of the repetitive lovesick theme B seems to gravitate towards, the music in this song nothing short of epic, as is Beyonce's vocal performance.

'"[17] A mixed review was given by Andy Gill of The Independent who said that "the vocal editing on 'Start Over' is far too sloppy, confirming again that a series of individual flourishes doesn't pass muster as a performance.

[11] Bain stated that Knowles should have "procure more polarizing songs and take bigger risks — at least then half of her fans would love it, as opposed to her entire fanbase shrugging at everything they hear.

"[11] NME's Hamish MacBain classified the song as one of the "barely distinguishable slowies" and added that the "will to continue listening [the album] departs.

"[6] Ricky Schweitzer of the website Beats Per Minute concluded that songs like "I Miss You" and "Start Over" would earn deserved spots in "the Beyoncé pantheon" once fans take the time to grow attached to them.

Mike Wass of the website Idolator classified the original song as the "album's only not-completely-brilliant moment", he noted "the WAWA boys did a great job transforming it into a dark and dangerous house anthem that stands toe-to-toe with Bey’s best floorfillers.

For the week ending July 2, 2011, "Start Over" debuted at number 43 on the South Korean International Singles Chart, selling 14,192 digital downloads.