Beyoncé's Cowboy Carter: Track by Track
Favorites and lesser faves, from one Virgo to another.
I don’t do country. I mean it. The only country songs I knew were the popular ones like the renown Jolene, Undo It, and You Belong With Me. Oh! And add Old Town Road to that list. I deem it country.
So when I heard Beyoncé was dropping a country album, I was skeptical. Even with the release of Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages, I too, like Nene Leaks from the Real Housewives of Atlanta, asked myself: What is this, honey?
Now listen, read closely. I am a Beyoncé stan. I have a lifetime membership card and attend the important Hive meetings, albeit, from the back row with my cat-eye sunglasses on. I know any music she lets us have is bound to be elite, trendsetting, and memorable. Thereby, I decided to give Cowboy Carter a thorough listen…throughout the whole weekend…and this week...and likely into the upcoming weeks.
Friend, I’m hooked. This woman lassoed me in as if I didn’t put up a fight. I played the album so much that my partner ended up learning the lyrics by proxy. Regardless, each song did not get an equal amount of playtime from me. Below are my unfiltered thoughts on each track, as I play the album. Yes, I’m stopping after each song to write my live opinion. Enjoy!
My thoughts, feelings, and everything in between:
AMERIICAN REQUIEM
One thing for sure and two things for certain, she knows how to make a BANGING intro. The layered vocals alone are technically astonishing and give me chills every time I listen. And the lyrics? This is COUNTRY, baby! Jon Batiste, you did that.
BLACKBIIRD
Okay, we slowed it down. Meaning aside, either I’m too coldhearted or healed to resonate with this song. It’s sweet and poetic, but not my speed. It’s not provoking the emotions out of me that it should. Shoutout to Miss Buckle Bunny aka Tanner Addell for getting a feature!
16 CARRIAGES
These lyrics punched me right in the sternum. As the middle child and only daughter born of my mother, I get it. Believing you have to take care of your village before taking care of yourself, I get it.
PROTECTOR
AWWEEE THE BABIES! The woo woo girls think she's referencing human design, which eye agree.
MY ROSE
If a song could hug me, it’d be this one. Such airy vocals like a lullaby. Something you sing to a child, friend, or lover.
SMOKE HOUR ★ WILLIE NELSON
Not enough people are discussing the five songs she sampled in the beginning, dating back to the 1920s. Music from (in order) Charles Anderson, Son House, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Chuck Berry, and Roy Hamilton. She is obviously making the clear point that the country genre is no less a stranger to Black artists than R&B music is.
TEXAS HOLD 'EM
Ya know, I do enjoy a good line dance here and there. It’s fun and funky. Those oohs at the end are my favorite part.
BODYGUARD
The beginning was ehh, but the ending scooped me right on up. I love whenever Bey does her riffing and running.
DOLLY P
Let’s collectively usher in the curse words of our grandparents’ tongues; hussy and heifer are unlike any other!
JOLENE
Jolene is such a classic song. Typically, a modernized take on classics seldom sit well with me. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. However, I think…I like these lyrics a taste more than the original. Dolly Parton was literally begging the hussy not to take her man, whereas Bey is warning the heifer not to even attempt any mess.
DAUGHTER
My Aries moon felt this, try me if you want too. The opera bit of Caro Mio Ben, chef’s kiss!
SPAGHETTII
…I mean…I guess. Love the Virgo shoutout, but it’s not for me. I do enjoy Shaboozey in the ending.
ALLIIGATOR TEARS
Bey is in love, love with that man! I sense a bit of conflict in these lyrics, because she’s talking bout his tears while also unconditionally loving him.
SMOKE HOUR II
Honestly, all the radio themed interludes are so fun.
JUST FOR FUN
Speaking of fun, this was cute!
II MOST WANTED
Seeing Miley Cyrus have a full circle moment in her music career is quite interesting. From dabbling in Hip-Hop as a means to scrub her Disney image, to returning to her country roots. Nevertheless, Miley sung like rent was due yesterday.
LEVII'S JEANS
See now, this feature warrants a heavy side eye from me. I know Bey is leveraging young country artists who were welcomed into the genre (likely for commercial appeal); but of all male country singers, Post Malone? Am I the only one who recalls that video of him saying n*gga? Mmkay.
FLAMENCO
As previously stated, per my last email, see prior correspondence - she loves that man.
The LINDA MARTELL SHOW
Give Ms. Linda Martell her motherfucking flowers!
YA YA
This is the song I’ve had on repeat. I live for folks saaanging like it’s First Sunday, I want all the the belly belting oohs and ahhs. I can definitely feel Bey had a good ole time singing this track.
OH LOUISIANA
What a flawless transition, ah, my heart. Again, paying homage to Chuck Berry.
DESERT EAGLE
Just filthy lyrics. I love it!
RIIVER DANCE
If there’s anything Bey will do about music making, it’s her homework. Peep that peculiar clanking noise in the background, similar to a washboard sound. Friend, that percussion is brought to you by her nails. Purr.
II HANDS II HEAVEN
Three quarters of the song is a head-bopping-body-swaying type of tune, then there’s a switch up. I noticed more experimentation in Cowboy Carter than in Renaissance. I truly thought the song changed when the tempo slowed down. I see you, Bey!
TYRANT
Mamas and her double entendres in this album. She said, “throw it back, shoot up the bar.” I-
SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN'
Another song on re-re-peat. Get me some cowboy boots with a matching gold belt buckle, NEOW! I’m already working on my dance for when this plays in the club. Let us bring our attention to the lyrics on the downbeat, “you're stuck to me all night sticky, sticky, sticky…” Chile, my virgin ears! Reminds me of the PURE/HONEY lyrics, which must be intentional. Likewise, Shaboozey screaming yeehoo in his ad-lib does something to me…
AMEN
C’MON VOCAAAAALLSSS!! Love the callback to the first track. I think she’s referencing what America portrays itself to be versus what it actually is - a gilded rock.
Overall, I love this album. I see why she was, and continues to be, so giddy over its release. I pondered how could she could top Act I: Renaissance, and here she is, doing just that. And to think, there’s a final third act to this story. My goodness gracious!
Side note, streets are saying she’s about to hit the road again. If this woman announces another tour, imma scream.
By me, I mean my wallet…because I’m going.