BLACKBIIRD

"Blackbiird," recorded by Beyoncé' for her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, is a unique take the classic Beatles number written by Paul McCartney. Given the album's embrace of country influences and its themes concerning race in American music history, the song was chosen pointedly. Beyoncé' chose to cover the song not just for its timeless melody, but for its inspiration: A group of nine black students, known as the Little Rock Nine, who faced discrimination after enrolling in an all-white high school in Arkansas back in 1957. The Civil Rights movement in general was also an influence.

A key element of "Blackbiird" is the addition of four Black female country singers: Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts. Their harmonies create a five-part vocal performance reminiscent of early Destiny's Child. This collaboration highlights the under-representation of Black artists in country music.

"Blackbird" originally carried a message of hope during the Civil Rights Movement. The emphasis on Beyoncé's version of the words "learn to fly" and "moment to arise" stresses the positive messaging of the original track. By featuring Black artists and keeping the original lyrics, Beyoncé subtly reinforces that message within the context of country music.