Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…
#1a. ‘Bodyguard’
This is the song I find myself returning to most on an album chock full of bangers. ‘Bodyguard’ has a very different sound than I’ve ever heard from Beyoncé — imagine if a song on Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours contained the phrase “I’m ’bout to lose it, turn around and John Wayne that ass.” It fits her like a glove.
On an album filled with a lot of allusions to moments in her personal life, this track seems refreshingly separate from all that. It feels like a love song about two laid-back road trippers, an anthem for the free of heart.
As I said at the start of this rundown, I don’t hear a weak song on Cowboy Carter. This album is a triumph from start to finish, both musically and as an artistic statement. Beyoncé is on one of the great winning streaks, releasing four straight vital, ground-breaking albums. I can’t wait to hear what’s in store for Act III of this particular project.
One, two, three, four
Ooh-ee-ooh, ah
Ooh-ee-ooh
[Verse 1]
So sweet
I give you kisses in the backseat
I whisper secrets in the backbeat
You make me cry, you make me happy, happy (Happy)
Leave my lipstick on the cigarette
Just toss it, and you stomp it out, out, out
Inhalin’ whiskey when you kiss my neck
We’ve been hurtin’, but it’s happy hour, oh, hour
Oh, oh, oh
[Pre-Chorus]
They couldn’t have me (Ah)
And they never will
And sometimes I hold you closer
Just to know you’re real (Ah)
Wheels in the gravel
Davis in my bones
Sometimes I take the day off (Ah)
Just to turn you on
On, on, oh
[Chorus]
Honеy, honey
I could be your bodyguard (Hey)
Oh, honеy, honey
I could be your Kevlar (Huh)
Oh, honey, honey
I could be your lifeguard (Huh)
Ooh, honey, honey
You should let me ride shotgun, shotgun
Oh, oh, oh
[Verse 2]
Be your best friend
I protect you in the mosh pit
And I’ll defend you in the gossip
You know how people like to start shit and pop shit
I don’t like the way she’s lookin’ at you
Someone better hold me back, oh-oh
Chargin’ ten for a double and I’m talkin’
I’m ’bout to lose it, turn around and John Wayne that ass (One, two, three, four)
[Pre-Chorus]
They couldn’t catch you (Ah, with me)
And they never will (You see)
Sometimes I hold you closer
Just to know you’re real (Ah)
Tell me your problems (I got you)
I take how you feel (Mm, huh)
I show you an exit (Ah)
When you’re restless I take the wheel
Ooh, oh, oh
[Chorus]
Honey, honey
You could be my bodyguard (Huh, uh)
Oh, honey, honey
Will you let me ride shotgun? Shotgun
Oh, oh, oh
[Outro]
Oh (Ah)
Oh
Oh (Ah)
Oh
I could be your bodyguard
Please let me be your Kevlar (Huh)
Baby, let me be your lifeguard
Would you let me ride shotgun? Shotgun
Oh, oh, oh
One, two, three, four
Meet Me In Montauk 
This is a slice of pure pop confection. I assume this will be a big hit single.
Thanks for the deep dive into this great album. It has certainly deepened my appreciation of Beyoncé.
did you mention Texas Hold ‘em?
I did :-) It was my #10.
https://meetinmontauk.com/2024/04/19/song-of-the-day-5767-alliigator-tears-beyonc/
I guess I was looking for the actual song being played. Was my favorite until I heard Daughter ❤️
I did feature it a few weeks back before the album came out 🙂
https://meetinmontauk.com/2024/03/11/song-of-the-day-5728-texas-hold-em-beyonc/
Anyway I love this album and enjoyed the deep dive 😊
Solid choice for 1a. The fact that any of us – including you – could make a case for a half dozen other tracks sitting in the top spot is reason enough for this to take home AOTY.