“Listen” was written for the 2006 film Dreamgirls and received an Oscar nomination.
Beyoncé recorded the song for the film’s soundtrack and performed it as Deena Jones, the character she played in the musical drama. The song was written by Scott Cutler, Anne Preven, and Beyoncé, with additional production contributions from others involved in the film’s music.
At the 79th Academy Awards, “Listen” was nominated for Best Original Song. It was one of three Dreamgirls songs nominated in that category, alongside “Love You I Do” and “Patience.” None of the three won the award.
The song is sometimes confused with “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going,” the film’s best-known showstopper performed by Jennifer Hudson. “Listen” is Beyoncé’s major original solo vocal number in Dreamgirls.