"
Countdown" is a song recorded by American singer
Beyoncé for her fourth studio album,
4 (2011). 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 Beyoncé, Taylor and Lamb. The song's conception was brought about by Knowles desiring to mix musical styles of the 1990s with the 1970s. It was sent to radio on October 4, 2011 as the fourth single from
4.