“1+1″ is a song by American recording artist and R&B diva, Beyoncé Knowles. The single served as the opening song off her fourth studio album ’4.’ It was released by Columbia Records as a promotional single in the U.S. prior to its live debut on the Season 10 finale of American Idol on May 25, 2011. Knowles’ live performance was critically acclaimed for the variation of her voice. A downtempo power ballad, “1+1″ is a R&B-soul song which finds the female protagonist expressing her endless love to her love interest. The lyrics make sweeping statements about the power of her relationship. The song’s title is based on the line: “I don’t know much about algebra, but I know that one plus one equals two”. “1+1″ has been generally well received by music critics who noted its flagrant resemblance to Knowles’ own 2009 single, “Halo”.
