Tag Archives: Beyonce

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Song of the Day #5,771: ‘Tyrant’ – Beyoncé

Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…

#1d. ‘Tyrant’

As I get to my four favorite tracks on this excellent album, the order doesn’t really matter. Depending on my mood, any one of these could be my #1. So that’s how I’m numbering them.

‘Tyrant’ is definitely a contender for the album’s best track, and the blend of country themes with a trap beat (and Dolly Parton!) makes it one of the songs that exemplifies Cowboy Carter‘s approach to genre. Queen Bey has said “this isn’t a country album, it’s a Beyoncé album.” ‘Tyrant’ is thrilling proof that it’s both.

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Song of the Day #5,770: ‘II Most Wanted’ – Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus

Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…

The next two songs on my Cowboy Carter countdown are interesting examples of Beyoncé stirring the pot of pop culture discourse. As she once sang in ‘Formation,’ “you know you that bitch when you ’cause all this conversation.”

As duet partners on this album, Beyoncé chose Post Malone and Miley Cyrus, two white artists who have been criticized in the past for appropriating Black culture, and who have since migrated toward “whiter” genres.

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Song of the Day #5,767: ‘Alliigator Tears’ – Beyoncé

Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…

#10. ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’

Cowboy Carter‘s lead single is its most overtly country song, and one that set listeners up to have their expectations upended by an album that travels well outside those genre boundaries. It was a clever marketing strategy, but this is also a great song — proof that if Beyoncé had just stuck to the country basics, she still would have delivered a memorable record.

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Song of the Day #5,766: ‘Sweet * Honey * Buckiin” – Beyoncé

Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…

#13. ‘II Hands II Heaven’

I’ve seen this track listed as a favorite of a lot of fans and critics, and I totally get it. It’s expansive and emotional, a sultry blend of traditional R&B with electronic flavors. It slips a few slots on my personal list because, at just under six minutes, it wears out its welcome a bit. But at this point I’m nitpicking.

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Song of the Day #5,765: ‘Just For Fun’ – Beyoncé

Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…

#16. ‘Desert Eagle’

A sick bass line drives this minute-long track, layered with sweet harmonies. To say it leaves you wanting more is an understatement.

#15. ‘Blackbiird’

The more successful of the album’s two classic covers, this one finds Beyoncé delivering a faithful version of The Beatles’ masterpiece (so faithful that the vocals are laid over Paul McCartney’s original instrumental track). Beyoncé showcases a quartet of female Black country artists — Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, and Brittney Spencer — using her platform to elevate others.

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