5 Songs on Cowboy Carter Every Woman Should Keep in Rotation

Ameriican Requiem, the first song on Beyonce’s new album solidifies the change in perspective she’s pushing for at this point in time. The album, in its entirety, speaks to the disbarring of color being the front line of the music. She’s composed a creative and industry-moving opus that embodies the past that no longer works and glimpses into the future of country music in true Yonce fashion. Albeit Beyonce doesn’t define Cowboy Carter as a “country album.”

In the record, she croons, “them big ideas are buried here. Amen.”

Queen Bey has the special talent of being able to adjust her work where the messages included are multifaceted. One of the overarching themes throughout her career has always been to uplift people of color, and women, as well as be relatable through her music. Cowboy Carter layers in Bey’s story and the path that she’s on to break through the glass ceilings that are placed above women in this industry. Here are 5 songs in the second half of Cowboy Carter, Act ii, that every woman should listen to when they need some inspo.

Blackbiird

A true inspiration with a blast from the past! Beyonce shares her rendition of Paul McCartney and the late John Lennon’s 1968 hit song Blackbird. This song represents empowerment, with lyrics that encourage one to “take your broken wings and learn to fly.” Moreover, it features all African-American women in country music: Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, and Tanner Adelle, who have recently talked about being barred from the country music scene in Nashville. Who runs the world? 

Jolene

“Just a hair of a different color, but it all hurts the same,” said Dolly Parton during the Dolly P interlude before Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter rendition of Parton’s hit 1973 song Jolene. We are quickly reminded of Sorry from the Lemonade album but with some of that ole country twang! Beyonce gives the power back to women who are facing wannabe Jolenes, showing them how to ward off scandalous women from wrecking their homes. So ladies, instead of begging another woman not to “take your man” like Dolly, be like Beyonce and tell them: “You don’t want this smoke, so shoot your shot with someone else.”

Protector

This beautiful lullaby-like ballad features her youngest daughter, Rumi Carter, which speaks to Beyonce’s role as a mother to her two other kids, in addition to Rumi, Blue Ivy, and Sir. Many mothers in the Bey Hive can be reassured in their role as protectors as they lead them. 

Daughter

We, as women, are truly our father’s daughter. We’ve been there at one time or another where we have to let out a little bit of a dark side that may or may not be from our daddy! This song is a nod to Beyonce’s relationship with her father, Matthew Knowles, much like we saw in her song Daddy Lessons. The song that jump-started the controversy over Beyonce’s place in country music. Bey said it was cool, though, “If you cross me, I’m just like my father. I am colder than Titanic water.” 

16 Carriages

Of course, one of the first released in the Cowboy Carter era. Beyonce speaks alot about her journey and the struggles that came with the territory. Now, we are watching and listening to her break down yet another barrier in the music industry! A moment for the sacrifices given to get to where we want to be as women on our Girlboss ish.