Be honest: when Beyonce released Act i: Renaissance, did you guys think that we would eventually get a complete three-act project? I had my doubts, but that’s what I get for doubting Beyonce. While Renaissance was popular and acclaimed, Cowboy Carter has landed like a nuclear bomb. People are really obsessed with the album and everything that went into making the album. There’s already talk about Beyonce ruling next year’s Grammys with this album, although I’m sure Taylor Swift and The Tortured Poets Department will have something to say about that.
A few pieces of information I found really cool. First off, Dolly Parton is the sole songwriter credited with the updated version of “Jolene.” I suspect that Beyonce was the one who rewrote the lyrics, but Dolly rolls differently when it comes to her music catalog, so it is what it is. Beyonce also sought and received permission from Paul McCartney to use the original Beatles’ backing track for her version “Blackbird.” As in, that’s really Paul on Beyonce’s version, strumming the guitar and tapping his foot. Beyonce also brought in Stevie Wonder as an uncredited harmonica player on her version of “Jolene.” The rich tapestry of music history we’re getting here, my god. And this is on top of Beyonce using Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Were Made for Walking” (with Nancy’s permission)!
Meanwhile, I’ve been thinking a lot about what Act iii might have in store for us. It will likely end up being Beyonce’s reclamation of “rock ‘n roll,” correct? A music history of Black artists’ contributions to a genre they created. I was already thinking about Jack White, who worked with Beyonce on “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” arguably one of the best songs on Lemonade and pure rage-rock. Like, I wouldn’t mind Beyonce and Jack White teaming up for a whole album, although of course we would never get that. Still, it turns out that Beyonce has been thinking about Jack a lot these days. She sent him flowers and a lovely note after she dropped Cowboy Carter. The note read: “Jack, I hope you are well. I just wanted you to know how much you inspired me on this record. Sending you my love, Beyoncé.” Jack responded on his Instagram – and yeah, ten bucks says that Jack is involved with Act iii.
Photos courtesy of Beyonce’s album/single covers, Avalon Red.
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- American singer-songwriter Jack White performs a secret set on The Park Stage at Glastonbury’s 50th Anniversary Festival in 2022, Worthy Farm, Pilton, England, UK on Sunday 26 June 2022.,Image: 702995216, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit agency and photographer as Justin Ng/Retna/Avalon when publishing., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
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- American singer-songwriter Jack White performs a secret set on The Park Stage at Glastonbury’s 50th Anniversary Festival in 2022, Worthy Farm, Pilton, England, UK on Sunday 26 June 2022.,Image: 702997544, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit agency and photographer as Justin Ng/Retna/Avalon when publishing., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
If Act III is rock, I AM HERE FOR IT!!!!
STOP IT!!!! If these two collaborate on an album I will freaking lose it.
That was such a sweet gesture on Beyoncé’s part. I love that they seem to have so much mutual respect for each other as both artists and people. Melts my cold dead heart ❤️
Every single detail that comes out about this album just makes me love it more!
So classy, and those flowers are GORGEOUS.
The first few times I listened there were songs that grabbed me. Re-listening yesterday, there were new songs that were grabbing me that I had initially overlooked. I love how Beyoncé collaborates and adds richness to every little detail.
2026 cannot get here fast enough and YES, I totally believe he will be involved in act iii. I believe that Bey’s people pay attention on social media and White was trending before the album release because everyone wants them to work together again.
Everything Bey does is by design and I think those flowers are the start.
The classic rock station in NYC, Q104.3 has a Breakfast with the Beatles show (mostly listener requests) on Sunday mornings. They played Beyoncé’s version of Blackbird this past weekend and the listener reaction was hugely positive.
For some unknown, ungodly reason, I read Jack White as Jack Black and I was NOT here for it.
Act iii is definitely rock.
Cowboy Carter is definitely a history lesson, and the more you listen and read, the more you learn.
It’s really sweet that she sent everyone their flowers, and I love that her Iheart radio outfit was inspired by
Linda Martell and what she wore.
“Don’t Hurt Yourself”, I would go so far as to say inarguably is the best song on the Lemonade album. I am so enjoying Cowboy Carter right now, I can’t even think ahead to iii. I love the history, the honor, and the reclamation in this album.
If you’re a Jack White fan, he did an amazing cover of “Love is Blind” by U2.
Thanks Y’All!
I’ll always remember how Jack coaxed Loretta Lynn out of retirement in early 2000’s to collaborate for ground breaking work on his album. He’s a literal musical genius and Beyonce typically has her thumb on the pulse
Language is important…”inspiring Cowboy Carter” is not accurate. She said she was inspired by him. Very different.
While I’m not a fan of this album, I do love what she’s doing to open doors for other black country artists. Perhaps I need to give it another listen. Some of the tracks are definitely catchy, I just don’t think it’s her best work. I also can’t stand what she did to “Jolene”.
A collab with Jack would be amazing! Awesome that she gives credit to others where it’s due.
All of this.
I don’t do country, other than a handful of older songs, at all, but I appreciate the effort on this album. I listened to a couple of songs and if I hadn’t known it was her, I wouldn’t have known it was her. Not a fan of this Jolene either, but to each their own. If it’s your jam, fly at it.
I love this album so much. Every song is different and unique and I have a new favorite every day, LOL. Renaissance wasn’t really my thing but I am all over this one. I have always loved Beyonce’s voice (If I were a Boy is one of my favorite songs ever mainly bc of her voice in it) and I feel like her voice really shines through on this album. Another artist could sing some of these songs exactly as written/produced on the album and the song would fall flat without her vocals.
I’m not enough of a music historian to understand everything she’s doing or all the connections and history, but I still love it.
Dolly P totally signed off on the Jolene rewrites? Amazing!
I don’t believe she heard the new version or lyrics before the album release. On release day, she posted on social that she “just heard Jolene”
Today’s Seattle Times has an article about how two radio stations have suddenly switched formats — to Country.
Interesting, right?
But this paragraph’s quote from th guy behind new “The Hank” station really caught my attention. Note the words between my added 🐝’s:
“The country music market has been largely focused on the most current, pop-driven crossover country music, and there appears to us to be a very substantial appreciation and demand for what we call 🐝 ‘real country,’ 🐝 which is the style of country that is in line with traditional country music,” Kalmenson said. “We’re playing a very strong mix of songs from the ’90s through maybe 2019. 🐝 What we’re not doing is playing all the new releases 🐝 unless it’s something that comes from one of the classic, traditional artists.”
😒
SOURCE:
Seattle Times article (3/3/24) titled “two-seattle-radio-stations-flip-to-country-music”
Ah yes, the 90s and early 2000s, “real” “traditional” country. Shania Twain, Faith Hill’s later albums, etc. Sure. of course.
I’ll say this again, The White Stripes has such an amazing version of Jolene. (Perhaps the best version?!) Jack’s guitar work in that is outstanding. And as someone mentioned above his work producing Loretta Lynn was mind blowing.
I really think act 3 is gonna be bluesy rock and we will get another collab with these two!!