 "Irreplaceable" was originally a country record; it was re-arranged as a mid-tempo ballad with pop and R&B influences by modifying the vocal arrangements and instrumentation.During the production and recording sessions, Beyoncé and Ne-Yo wanted to create a record which people of either gender could relate to.The song's lyrics are about the breakdown of a relationship with an unfaithful man and the song contains a message about female empowerment.