Beyoncé’s new album, “Cowboy Carter,” arrives after what the Texas-born singer says was a five-year journey that she began after feeling rejected by the country music world.
On her eighth solo LP – a “Beyoncé album” and not a rustic album, she insists – the artist freely pushes the boundaries of country music and makes use of the style’s signature touchstones to make a sonic return to Ato’s down-home music. I, or 2022’s “Renaissance,” on tracks like “Riverdance” and “II Fingers II Heaven.”
While “Renaissance” was a tribute to the icons of queer club culture, “Cowboy Carter” features endorsements from Nashville’s greatest in the form of spoken word interludes from icons like Willie Nelson, Linda Martell and Dolly Parton. Beyoncé also covers Parton’s “Jolene,” but updates it as an ominous warning: “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene / I’m warning you, don’t come after my man,” she sings.
Nelson, Parton and Martell are the guiding voices in the 27-track, 80-minute-long narrative, filled with quick, mean phrases and contemporary takes on centuries-old sounds. Choosing the right lyrics in such a compact and layered mission is not a simple process. Selection compiled a list of some of the most insightful and memorable lines from “Cowboy Carter.” See our picks below.
From the “American Requiem”:
They used to say that I said: “Too many nations”
Then the rejection came, he said I wasn’t, “Nation enough”
I mentioned I wouldn’t prepare, though
If that’s not a nation, tell me, what is?
From “16 Carriages”:
At fifteen, innocence was lost
Need to take care of the house from an early age
I noticed mom crying, I noticed dad lying
I needed to sacrifice myself and leave my fears behind
Legacy is the last thing I do
From “Protector”:
I first noticed your face in your father’s gaze
There’s a long line of claps carrying your title
Raising you, so you can be raised
From “My Rose”:
So many roses, but none to be picked without thorns
So be aware of your flaws, dear
From “Texas Keep Em”:
Come pour some sugar on me, baby too
It’s a real life boogie and a real life party
Don’t be a bitch, come and take it to the floor now
From “Bodyguard”:
I don’t like the way she looks at you
Someone higher hold me again,
Charging ten for a double and I’m talking
I’m about to lose control, turn around and John Wayne, that ass
Interlude: “Dolly P”
Parton performs Beyoncé’s cover of her song “Jolene,” making the connection to “that bitch with the beautiful hair” and “Becky with the great hair” from “Sorry,” a cut from 2016’s “Lemonade.”
“Reminding me of someone I met again when / Plus she has flaming locks of red hair,” Parton says, referencing her line in “Jolene.” “Bless your heart / Just a hair of a different color, but it hurts just the same.“
Parton also refers to Beyoncé as “Bee’s honey” At this stage, nodding to the nickname Lady Gaga used to refer to Beyoncé in the 2010 music video for their “Phone” collaboration.
From “Jolene”:
I’m warning you, lady, discover you as your individual man
Jolene, I know I’m a queen, Jolene
I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisianne (don’t try me)
From “Daughter”:
They keep saying I’m not like my father
But I’m the furthest thing from choirboys and altars
When you cross me, I’m identical to my father
I’m colder than the water on the Titanic
Honorable highlight:
Your physique lying on this filthy floor
Your bloodstains on my custom clothes
The bathroom attendant let me in
She was a big fan
From “Spaghetti”:
Cunty, nation, petty, stingy, stingy
All identical to me, Plain Jane, spaghetti
No sauce, no sauce, very soft, very soft
They’re salty, they shoot like curry
One hand on my holster, then move it to Hova
From “Alligator Tears”:
You say change your religion
Now I spend Sundays with you
Something about those tears of yours
What is it really like to be adored?
From “Just for Fun”:
I’m going south just for fun, I’m the man, I know it
And every place I go, they know my title
From “II Most Desired”:
I’ll be your shotgun rider until the day I die
Smoke out the window flying down the 405
From “Levii’s Denims”:
Boy, I’ll let you be my Levi’s jeans
So you can hug that ass all day
From “Flamenco”:
I hope you realize once it’s over
I can’t stand what you like, so keep me closer
Understand that you simply don’t know what you bought until it’s gone
Appropriate now
From “Ya Ya”:
Child, if you ain’t got no Ritz, go away to the south
Life is coming at me quickly, hold my Bible on the run
Pistol in my place in case I need to blow up
I simply want to shake my ass (enjoy)
Honorable highlight:
These curmudgeons can’t play with me (why?)
‘Trigger, I’m an intelligent woman, we’re fighting
From “Desert Eagle”:
Desert Eagle in the back seat
All things bigger in Texas
Huge physique, open it, give you breakfast.
From “Riverdance”:
Staring down the barrel of my gun
Of course, I shot you
He cried the day he realized
What lies were hidden in my kisses
From “II Fingers II Heaven”:
I’m a stallion running, with no sail in the wind
You’ll never see me coming or going, but you’ll always know I’m here
From “Tyrant”:
You owe me a debt, you stole it from me
I hated you once, I envy you now
Just tell me how, tell me how
From “Candy Honey Buckiin’”:
AOTY, I didn’t win (that’s cool)
I’m not playing with them
Take that shit on the chin
Come again and fuck the pen (Yeah)
From “Amen”:
Say a prayer for what was
We will be the ones who wash away the sins of our fathers
American Requiem
These outdated concepts are buried here
