Blackbird
One would have to live under a large rock not to be aware that Beyoncé, the multi-platinum, multi-Grammy-winning queen of R&B and multiple other genres, has recently released a country album. I was intrigued by this notion and decided to take a listen to a few of the 27 tracks on “Cowboy Carter.”
I would like to say it is hard to believe this is her first crack at country, but those pipes … she could sing the paint off a house. More informed men and women than I have reviewed this impressive album. But I wanted to highlight one song that is just a stunner: “Blackbird.” It is this week’s reason to smile.
Originally written by Paul McCartney in 1968, “Blackbird” was his response to the American civil rights movement. He has said he wanted to write a song dedicated to those who had been affected by discrimination, especially women. In British slang, “bird” means “girl.”
Beyoncé has said her album is a celebration of the history of Black cowboys and the hardships they faced. She wrote on Instagram that it was “born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed [...] But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive.”
Beyoncé’s version of “Blackbird” features four Black country artists — Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, and Brittney Spencer — who together add sublime harmonies to the cover.
Another little nugget worth mentioning: Beyoncé used Paul McCartney’s original 1968 backing instrumental and toe-tapping on the track, with Sir Paul’s blessing, of course.
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Stay Steady,
Dan
I well remember 1968 and cherish that Blackbird was McCartneys response to the American civil rights movement. “He has said he wanted to write a song dedicated to those who had been affected by discrimination, especially women. In British slang, “bird” means “girl.” There is once again an escalation in the terrible war on women in this Jane Crow country which is disproportionately hurting women of color. All women and men who love them need to unite and fight for the equal rights of women, maybe this time we can get it right. Women should not have to feel worse than unwelcome but hated by their country,
Thanks again Dan. I love Sunday morning with you. FYI, when a Black soldier in the United States Colored Troops in the Uncivil War re-enlisted after the war to become a "Buffalo Soldier", he went West to engage in the "Indian Wars". When he retired after 10-15 years fighting for the US Army out West, the government not only gave him a pension but a large tract of land, hence, he became a rancher. In other words, he became a "cowboy." It is estimated that about 30% of the cowboys out West were Black. How unfortunate and unfair that they were omitted from American history books, not given their just credit and not included in those cowboy heroes movies in the 1940s-80s. White supremacy found its diabolical claws in all manner of American life.