Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…
#1b. ‘Daughter’
If the ‘Jolene’ rewrite felt a little too cute, a little too removed from the messiness and trauma of a relationship shattered by infidelity, Beyoncé makes up for that in ‘Daughter.’
This song is as emotionally raw as it is musically beautiful, a confession of anger, jealousy, and regret set against a delicate backdrop of Spanish guitar and swelling strings.
Then, in the stunning bridge, she delivers a verse from the aria ‘Caro Mio Ben,’ introducing opera to this marvelous collection of genres and kicking the melodrama up a notch. It’s a gloriously unexpected moment on an album full of surprises.
Your body laid out on these filthy floors
Your bloodstains on my custom coutures
Bathroom attendant let me right in
She was a big fan
I really tried to stay cool
But your arrogance disturbed my solitude
Now I ripped your dress and you’re all black and blue
Look what you made me do
[Refrain]
They keep sayin’ that I ain’t nothin’ like my father
But I’m the furthest thing from choir boys and altars
If you cross me, I’m just like my father
I am colder than Titanic water
[Chorus]
Help me, Lord, from these fantasies in my head
They ain’t ever been safe ones
I don’t fellowship with these fakе ones
So let’s travel to whitе chapels and sing hymns
Hold rosaries, and sing in stained glass symphonies
Cleanse me, Holy Trinity
From this marijuana smoke smell in my hair
[Verse 2]
I sashayed my dress
Did my best impression of a damsel in distress
This alcohol and smell of regret
Allured my catch
Outfit too small to hide my scars
Feelin’ bottled up like bottle service broads
How long can he hold his breath before his death?
[Bridge]
Caro mio ben
Credimi almen
Senza di te
Languisce il cor
Il tuo fedel
Sospira ognor
Cessa, crudel
Tanto rigor
Ooh, ooh
[Chorus]
Help me, Lord, from these fantasies in my head
They ain’t ever been safe ones
I don’t fellowship with these fake ones
So let’s travel to white chapels and sing hymns
Hold rosaries, sing in stained glass symphonies
Cleanse me, Holy Trinity
From this marijuana smoke smell in my hair
[Outro]
Say I’m nothin’ like my father
But I’m the furthest thing from choir boys and altars
Double cross me, I’m just like my father
I am colder than Titanic water
Meet Me In Montauk 
This is a beautiful song that shows off Beyoncé’s stylistic diversity.
I’m wondering if the last line of the first verse is a wink and nod to Taylor Swift?
It’s certainly hard to not think of Swift when you hear that phrase, but I’d guess it’s just a coincidence.
wow this is absolutely stunning. I looked up the aria to see what opera it came from and it wasn’t written for an opera. It dates back to 1782 and is “a tough challenge for the most experienced singer to show their musicality “ kudos to Beyoncé 👏👏❤️
Such a gorgeous song.