The Genius of Cowboy Carter - A Beyoncé Analysis

Emotion, civil rights, race, America, history, opera, trap, Dolly P and Willie N. So much going on here it took me almost as long to talk about it as it did to listen to it. @beyonce
Links and stuff...
Foreign Man in a Foreign Land's Excellent Video on White Commentators on Black Culture: • The Culture Vultures o...
My Reaction to Protector (warning, it is so emotionally honest that it is "cringe" as the kids say) • Professor Protector Re...
Time Article: time.com/5673476/ken-burns-co...
Queen Esther's Excellent Illustration of how Country came from Black America: • Queen Esther: The true...
Linda Martell performing at the Grand Ole Opry: • Linda Martell ~ Bad Ca...
Paul McCartney Explains "Blackbird"- • Paul McCartney Breaks ...
The amazing history of "Worried Man Blues" balladofamerica.org/worried-m...
Woody Guthrie's Version: • Worried Man Blues - Wo...
Alone and Forsaken by Hank Williams - • Hank Williams - Alone ...
The Biography of Hank Williams: www.amazon.com/Hank-Williams-...

[@zachbryanchicago]

AVAA ... I have one obscure fact that will probably change your opinion on Levii's Jeans a bit. When destiny's child first came out in the 90s, fashion labels refuse to dress them so her mom had to hand made all their costumes. Levvi was the first fashion house to accept them and dress them (check the girls always in jeans), so it's a very special brand for beyonce. This probably makes the song more personal and less commercial.

[@zachbryanchicago]

Funny how beyonce said herself in 2016, these high-end labels didn't want to dress these 4 southern girls because they were "deemed too country", which correlates to American Requiem.

[@Maggielesetoiles6]

🫰

[@chrrymshrms]

wowwwn I had no idea thanks for sharing!

[@sebastianlee9969]

No Offense,but even as a Professor,you didn't take it into the account that hank Williams learned country music/black folks music. That's what it was called back then in the late 40s/50s. Because it was the USA JIM CROW. that took black people's rights and inventions away. So by Definition,the reason hank Williams didn't made a song about the black folk country musicians who tough him. It's wasn't stated in that book of yours. Makes that book flawed and clarify beyonce song America Requiem. More Relevant.

[@MegaMrs2u]

Exactly Levi gave them fashion

[@vivianagbegha2712]

Beyoncé is probably not “defending herself” when she mentions where she is from. She is simply proud of her recent roots. It’s like how certain musicians always reference the city or state they are from. They are showing love and pride for their homes.

[@manyxmom]

Right h t she says these on almost every album

[@QuatMan]

Yes...white people like this guy seem really confused and offended when we remind them that we arent Africans, and are, in fact, Americans.

[@casiedomingos5197]

Exactly! I remember her doing promo for her album 4 that interview with Pierce Morgen (I can’t quote it) but he basically said that he liked that she’s not controversial not in black and white she makes her music, keeps it fun and calls it a day. Many people believed Beyoncé was “black enough” to fit in certain places (and this is probably how she was marketed to a degree as well) because since lemonade she’s constantly reminded people every chance she gets hey I am black! 😬

[@SwordSiddha]

@@casiedomingos5197 It can be viewed as a flex. In an era where school children are getting expelled for wearing their natural hair, expressing your culture and no one being able to threaten her money is strong. She can now be upfront with loving her ancestors, claiming her roots, and weathering the back lash without ending her career. I am proud of her.

[@Birdiealway]

@@SwordSiddhaSUPER PROUD OF HER!

[@camealabass4314]

American Requiem {mass grave or burial}" funeral is laying to rest the past that we have suffered as a nation and now moving to a new way of life. "Black Bird" was written by Paul McCartney ( Beatles) during the 60's civil rights for Black Women. The extra vocals are 4 current young black female country singers that have all paid homage to Bey in their songs and or interviews. "Daughter" is following the don't mess with me or mine vibe from "Jolene" {original Dolly Parton song} and having fantasy's that she needs to ask forgiveness for that she then sings an Italian Opera (Lost Love). Then she followed it up with "Spaghettii" saying She's going to handle whatever comes her way and not letting the industry play her. Willie Jones and Shaboozey are new age Black male country artist. Willie Nelson is a pioneer in folk country style music and is known for supporting and singing about unity. Post Malone is doing a country album too. "Oh Louisiana" is a sample from Chuck Berry. Linda Martell 1st Black female country artist to hit mainstream popularity and sing at the Grand Ole Opry. This album is so important for the culture, at least to this Black Nashville Native Girl! Also the horse on the cover is a "Lipizzan Horse" They are born Greyish Black and lose their pigmentation over time.

[@oldssierra]

Wow, thank you for this reading and perspective. Definitely things that would have gone over my head otherwise

[@sharmayneharrell495]

Thank u for the synopsis

[@braindeadbasil]

This album is full of American history. It presents itself as a genre-shapeshifting country album but it's so much more. What links American Requiem to Amen and vice versa is so important. The two songs mirror each other so perfectly. This is Beyonce's Magnum Opus. This album is a Masterpiece!

[@fizzychizzy]

I will say its a masterpiece and then in two years, somehow, Beyoncé will outdo herself. LMAO. It is actually staggering. She may be one of the most important pop artist today. I didn't say the most popular or the most successful. Most important. Her search through the history of American music almost feels like a thesis. They are already teaching Beyoncé courses in college and at this point. There are gonna be even more courses now. You might just have to study her by eras because she is a reflection of what is historically going on in pop culture and politically within the US as well.

[@calvinjms]

You said exactly what you said!

[@Santiago-in1xf]

American Requiem to Amen to I'm That Girl....the un-American life ref and "these ____ ain't stopping me." I'm picking up new things in Renaissance...two years after the fact. So many bread crumbs between the two albums.

[@zachbryanchicago]

The way each of her last 4 albums perfectly captures the essence and zeitgeist of an important cultural movement is just so amazing. It doesn't just sound refreshing and beautiful, it's a soundtrack to our time.

[@oceansunflower5894]

For me this kind relation took me back. I can see why this album was so important. Now I can understand. What I will say to. Beyoncé we love you for the créativité and your courage.🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@cartersgoofsandgaffs]

As a man named Carter, it’s been a helluva weekend so far.

[@orangemoonglows2692]

at least your name isn't jolene.

[@Prof.SeverusSnape]

​@@orangemoonglows2692 or becky😂

[@DelceniaDamesTucker]

@@orangemoonglows2692 , 😂😂🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣

[@konagirl86]

I’m native Hawaiian and as a marginalized group, declaring your lineage is an important way to introduce yourself. So I don’t see her naming her roots as defensive at all, it’s a way to honor your ancestors and homelands. She offers it up with authority and pride and as a frame of reference for all that follows. I really enjoyed your analysis!

[@eliyannah]

AAVA! Hi @konagirl86, I agree! I'm Black American and naming our place(s) is a big part of our cultural and ancestral pride. And there's also the element that, even though we're amont the original Americans, we're always written out of the story. There will be people who emigrated from Europe after the 1940s and they're considered 'American' when we are not. It is a popular refrain to call America "a nation of immigrants" and yet, neither African Americans or Native Americans are immigrants. So, we claim our roots; we call out to our folks. We claim them loud, we claim them often, we claim them always. So, even if it does come across as defensive, it's not specific to this album, but rather, a defense that we have been consistently making since before the American Revolution. I'm so accustomed to hearing this type of claiming of place, that it didn't even stand out to me as odd in the lyrics. I enjoyed your analysis and the Professor's!

[@FAUFRESH1]

​@@eliyannah You are absolutely right!!!! I don't think it's a marganilized group thing though. It's an Indigenous / diasporic P.O.C commonality where we claim our villages / homeland in honour of the land we come from but the lineage we derived from.

[@simba8026]

I don't understand why you say she is deviating from the thesis. The point of the project is that she wants to be liberated from genre and she is doing it by forcibly situating herself into genres that Black people are excluded from. That's why she is straddling opera, country, folk, blues, rap, everything. That IS the thesis

[@saphire2214]

A big part of Beyoncé's gripe is her feeling like the industry has used genre to limit her and to keep her in a box. A very big part of this album's thesis was to eliminate/break the genre machine. It's a big FU to the industry and its limitations imposed on artists more importantly black artists and its need to hold onto the old way of doing things. She has expressed in the past about the racist backlash se received at the CMA's when she performed Daddy Lessons and how the CMA's acquies to the racist complaints. American Requiem speaks to this if you listen carefully. It's a mass for the death of the old way of doing things. She ties in this theme with a critic of America and the fact that it hasn't lived up to its ideals. America is a hypocrite. "You change your name, but not the ways you play pretend. American Requiem. Them big ideas (Yeah), are buried here (Yeah)" This theme is also revisited in Alligator Tears. There is a toxic abusive relationship between white America and Black America. Where white America pretends we are in a post racial landscape but Black America is reminded everyday to stay in our lane. There's a reason why the blue and white stars aren't visible in the cover art, only the red and white stripes. Ultimately there's still a lot of work to be done for everyone to come together and she let's that be known. So by the time you get to the second half of the album where Beyoncé goes into Spaghetti. There is where she breaks from adhering to genre restrictions and just sings great music in all the various genres that has influenced her as an artists over the years (Rap, Country, R&B, Funk, etc...) but with her Beyoncé flair of course. BY THE WAY... Rap music is all about bravado. You can talk about shooting them up without being taken literally (unless you don't understand Rap music). If you question Beyoncé's authenticity here, you would have to question 99% of all rappers authenticity. Curious as to whether you are familiar with Beyoncé's discography minus Renaissance and Lemonade? If you are, you would know that Beyoncé often has very sexually charged lyrics in her songs. This is a part of who she is and she's not afraid to be loud about it. If it makes you or others uncomfortable, you should look into that. I'd recommend Beyoncé's self-titled album where she fully takes ownership of her unabashed sexuality. I could go on but won't. I'd recommend revisiting the album with these thoughts in mind.

[@missgigip]

I love this educational breakdown 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@charismao5515]

Ok…I had to read this four times. You truly have a talent for elevating people’s thinking about art. Art from Beyonce needs this type of voice and historical knowledge about her catalogue of work. B is very intentional and nothing is left to chance or on a silo without layers upon layers to be revealed. I truly learned so much. Lease keep sharing across platforms and chiming in. Do you have a platform, blog, etc?

[@rainespells1273]

This!! Musicians like Linda Martell and Prince and even Dolly Parton (since she successfully crossed over to pop) who had to resist being boxed are literally and subliminally heard throughout this album. Also her sexuality and “I do love me my husband” were big things in Renaissance and Lemonade too. That’s just who she is and we love a woman who knows she’s hot

[@amorg319]

Spaghetti is very intentional. It’s a trap for those this ain’t country haters of sorts. Spaghetti alludes to spaghetti westerns where white men glorifying gun play is made out to be virtuous this contrasts with gangster rap where black men glorifying gun play is made out to be criminal. She is super intentional when she says I ain’t in no gang but I got shooters bang bang bang. She is melding rap and country music and emphasizing this huge double standard.

[@CorpseTongji]

SUCH A GOOD ANALYSIS

[@vivianagbegha2712]

American Requiem to me is about how the idea of America persists through the death of old ideas/through continuous evolution. The progress this country has made is through the death of bad ideas/practices - e.g. slavery, Jim Crow, etc.

[@user-jk1wv6qg7z]

Beautifully said!

[@TPaine76]

Another reason the Miley Cyrus collab is cool is because Miley’s godmother is Dolly Parton!

[@oceansunflower5894]

This is Beyoncé album not à country album say Beyoncé.

[@zachbryanchicago]

AVAA ... Thank you for this fascinating analysis. I want to chime in on the question where you ponder whether she strayed away from her thesis OR was very intentional. I have 2 different perspectives: 1. I think these are 2 sides of the same coin. Genre labels were created with the intention to exclude, as country music did in the 1920s. So reclaiming country music black roots and defying genre confines are complementing theses. She is intentional, as evidenced by the spoken words of Linda Martell. (Thank you for giving beyonce flowers. Regardless whether anyone likes beyonce or not, she always pours so much heart and intention to her work. You can hear it from all the details and the research into her work.) 2. I think it’s important to note that she herself never claimed that her goal was to reclaim country music (internet theories that ran rampant), but more celebrate the forgotten black pioneers of these genres. The tribute & inclusion of white country music legends seem to confirm this intention instead. Thus she just has ONE overall thesis of “challenging genre stereotypes”.

[@zachbryanchicago]

I lean towards the 2nd perspective, I think she's less "radical" than a lot of people have hoped for. She wants to open some discussions, shine light on these forgotten history and pioneers, but "reclaim" is probably too strong a word for what she herself have in mind.

[@birdiewolf3497]

Right, like we have to remember the era of “race records” and how much of that influences our understanding of genre particularly when we think of American music. Like we are not so far removed from that headspace.

[@casiedomingos5197]

THANKYOU! #2 is where I as a Beyoncé fan am at the moment. Beyoncé since her self titled album has made a conscious choice not to outwardly speak about her art. I think she did this because she wants to escape these boxes people have put her in. She said I will make my art and my intention and release it. The danger with that is that the media constantly seeks an angle, and since Beyoncé isn’t providing anything they (and the fans) will do it on their own. Beyoncé has been experimenting with genres for ages now. Even 4 had African music influences, and she went out to make an afrobeat album for the lion king. To know Beyoncé’ true intentions you need to listen to the art and piece together the little piece of nuggets she does give us. That Instagram caption about the countdown to Cowboy Carter said it; I experienced something, it made do a deep dive into the history of country music, and hey this is not a country album this is a BEYONCÉ album. With that she said so much with so little.

[@zachbryanchicago]

@@birdiewolf3497 Yes I think beyonce (or her research team) is very smart. Labelling music genres is exactly how country music started to segregate and exclude black musicians. Genre itself it thee gatekeeping tool.

[@zachbryanchicago]

@@casiedomingos5197 She said these words for a reason which are her intention -- to showcase forgotten music history. Amazing that a pop album even aspires to do this.

[@ynz3713]

The rock aspect of the album is very intentional because it is widely speculated by her fans and those in the know believe that act iii will rock based. Also Beyoncé does not do anything by mistake, everything is by design.

[@tracefriend8201]

AAVA. One thing I will say is that every historical parallel you can draw I’m almost certain was intentional. Beyoncé is basically a music historian and sat with this album for 5 years tweaking it exactly as she wanted it. I think the reasons for Daughter, Flamenco, and Riiverdance are a nod to some of the other origins of Country Western music being Celtic immigrants and Mariachi, as well as some parallels with music that was co-opted by the primary culture of its time. Specifically the Italian opera blending with a song that is reminiscent to me of an old western shootout scene in a Catholic Church gives the album an almost theatrical vibe that really shows her knowledge of music as an art form. I also believe the album itself to be a Requiem of the concept of America as a whole, with this melting-pot of genres from cultures that are continually marginalized in the Land of the Free. This was also supposed to come out BEFORE Act I: Renaissance but she decided the world needed the escapism first.

[@SthrnPrettyCiara]

BEAUTIFULLY stated. 👏🏾 ❤

[@realfan3565]

Cowboy Carter was supposed to be the first album but she changed it up after COVID, so she flipped the release. So if you listen to this album you can see how the tempo started entering into the Renaissance.

[@oceansunflower5894]

👍🏻👍🏻👌🏾🤩🤩

[@NicoleMarieDay]

She’s worked with a lot of black country artists in this album. Which is really awesome.

[@erica_em]

It'll help to think of this album as both a history lesson and a broadening of the genre to include all of the many experiences that naturally fit there. It's also a geographical tour of the American south (plus other areas influenced by the American south which is everywhere) as opposed to thinking of it as the "country" music we've come to know in recent decades. Dolly is country. Appalachian music was born from Irish folk music, which is why we get Riverdance. Outkast is country. Megan thee Stallion and DJ Screw are country. Speaking of Megan, the use of Stallion as a slang term for a tall, thick, attractive woman is southern. Gospel is country. Soul is country and so, then, is Motown. Beyonce is (and has been) country. Western music is country and Spaghetti Westerns are country which is why we get the three song homage to Spaghetti Westerns and possibly Quentin Terantino specifically in Jolene, Daughter, and Spaghetti. The one song you don't like, with Post Malone on it, is a pop song but also sounds more like modern country radio than anything else on this album... which is ironic, isn't it? 1. The sitar - Many western instruments are directly descended from Arabic stringed and reed instruments. Since 2020, in 10 middle eastern countries where Apple Music is available, there was a collective 75% year-over-year growth in the popularity of country music. Plus, if you know Bey, you know she loves her Arabic scales. (There are resources on the Kennedy Center website about this, if you want to look into it further). 2. Miley and Post Malone are not arbitrary features. While they serve the tracks they're featured on, it's not a coincidence that the only two white artists on the albums used "urban" aesthetics to build their musical fanbases and then returned to pop, rock, and country even changing their personal appearances, marketing strategies, album visuals, and public appearances. No one gave them any grief about using hip hop audiences - whiteness belongs everywhere, after all. They are helping to demonstrate the hypocrisy of the lazy critique Beyonce knew would come and it did. (I think the Quentin reference fits into this category too.) 3. "I got shooters and I bang bang" is a musical metaphor wherein she compares herself to the "Plain Janes" with no sauce. Everything on this album is meticulous. Her musical decisions are BARS with layers of meaning. If something doesn't make sense... do some Googling because there is probably something you're missing. It's meticulous. It's thoughtful. And it is country because Beyonce is country.

[@eliyannah]

AAVA...and EXACTLY, EXACTLY, EXACTLY, EXACTLY!!!!!!!!! Southern hip hop IS country music; Black southern artists are country artists! I loved the addition of these genre-bending and genre-challenging ideas. White execs and producers don't get to dictate what is country, and Black (and everyone else) people don't have to abide by the rules they set, certainly not among music styles and expressions that we originated lol. Shania Twain is from Canada, Keith Urban is from Australia, Taylor Swift is from Pennsylvania and they all are/were country artists but UGK isn't? Houston Chopped and Screwed ain't country music?

[@avatarjakara]

AVAA I think many people, yourself included professor, have begun taking Beyonce a little too literally. I think songs like BODYGUARD, DAUGHTER, YA YA, TYRANT, are all fictional and meant to be stories in and of themselves that largely fit under this "country" motif. Lots of blues and country involve stories of murder, protection, family/bloodlines, and all of that. In YA YA, Beyonce gives a fictitious performance to a rowdy crowd in an imitation of Tina Turner, Elvis, and Prince. These fictional tales also allow Beyonce to play with gender a lot in these songs. In DAUGHTER, she makes a lot of allusions to maleness, like her father, choir boys, and the Holy Trinity. The subject of this song reads as an imaginary non-binary person cause of the song's title and them trying and failing to be a damsel. In TYRANT, the song switches perspectives between the hangman/tyrant, and the lady who had her man stolen by them. The hangman is described as a lady, but has a masculine sounding title. So there's more use of conceptual gender happening in TYRANT as well. She does something similar in BODYGUARD while singing about this presumed lady wearing lipstick, but holding and being a protector to her lover. This lady also has comparisons to Miles Davis and John Wayne, two men. At the end of the song, the perspective shifts. "I could be your bodyguard" then becomes "You could be my bodyguard." Perhaps the lover now requests her to be their bodyguard? Perhaps the subject is now telling her lover to be her bodyguard? Either way, the lover also acts as a protector, likely in a similar manner. I think in this album, Beyonce has stepped away from being so literal and autobiographical, and has a few good fictional tales happening here.

[@StickyKeys]

Ya Ya is the most autobiographical along with American Requiem. But she tells the story of her mother's family name and how it was changed etc.

[@avatarjakara]

@@StickyKeys Yeah YA YA blends camp and her autobiographical writing habits. She performs her family's story for a hyped crowd. Lots of implications there.

[@TinkerBellaMama]

Thank you for 16 Carriages history and tribute and the schump sound. I continue to be blown away at the amount of thought and info in this Album. She needs to get Album of the Year for this.

[@zannegav]

The intention behind the "Requiem" is an advise from her for stop tagging the gender about songs and stop putting artists in the box which people love, picking which one they belongs ( in a limit way). So she "kills and buries" the natural and conservative country music (the old ideas) by mixing up a plenty of other stuff like pop, brazilian's funk, house, R&B, opera, trap, rock... all of them blended with country's elements. And she got there cause she gives a such experimental sound, fresh and UNIQUE. Art is art in many ways and layers.

[@michaelmaps2004]

You are right. That's my take as well

[@uploader06]

Bey doesn't always sing about herself and her life. She is an artist, she talks about other people. You seem to be stressing yourself over a lot. These albums are not autobiographical.

[@SydneyLovePJBJ]

You lost me multiple times here… But American Requiem refers to the old ideas(what people think of country music) being buried here. She states it multiple times.

[@oceansunflower5894]

So much darkness here😭😭

[@KiDCRuDi_]

EXACTLY, death to the idea that Country is a genre created by and reserved for Whites first. I think it's a powerful statement, in line with her overall thesis

[@joshujere2988]

I’m ngl he lost so many times. In a way I feels he compliments the album to cover his shady hits

[@Keto-io8ey]

ANOTHER BANGIIN MASTERPIECE PHEW, *waterbreak* going for 4th relisten, so many layers💯

[@glkmee22]

A response to your critiques: 1) Beyonce is very very calculated in what she does and put out and when she puts it out. Her idea is to make an album where she isn't confined to one genre INCLUDING country. "It's not a country album, it's a Beyonce album." 2) We are not all from the south like you believe she's saying. She had to say that cause she literally grew up around cowboys, rodeos, moonshine and such. Many black people here in America cannot say that. I'm from New Orleans and I grew up around Mardi Gras Indians. I've seen them and been a part of the culture that other black people in the US hasn't. If she ain't country then what is? 3) What the heck is wrong with preachy? Lives were saved cause people spoke up after seeing injustice via art. Would you call the movie Schindler's List preachy? If it is, what the heck is wrong with that? Open your mind professor. Come on. You're a professor for goodness sake.

[@jasmynholland3074]

You better tell'em!

[@sethybitch]

he’s a professor but he’s white. not surprising

[@charismao5515]

Thank you so much for elevating the conversation and posing honest questions, critiques and praise - it’s an opportunity to create meaningful Dialogue around this amazing art which B has gifted us with.

[@bethanyracobs]

I don’t agree that it was so much defending herself than repping her roots and repping is very important and prominent in Black American culture

[@casiedomingos5197]

As a guy who teaches hiphop that was weird take, I thought.

[@ninagarafall]

In the comment section of American Requiem someone said that the song mimics the order of a southern mass with the preacher singing and the people answering ("them big ideas" - "yeah" - "are buried here" - "yeah") and the gospel-like singing style and the use of the organ... and then she concludes the album with Amen, which is the end of the service. I found this an interesting thought too.

[@amorg319]

Regarding Beyoncé referencing her southern heritage she has been doing it since she had individual artistic freedom. She references TEXAS ALL the time and she has done so since was 20 something. She does it because at her start the industry looked down on her for being too southern and like many black women her philosophy is to own who she is.

[@OfficialPrettyLittleLiars]

The genre bending motif of the album does fit her thesis under Linda Martell’s two inclusions-reminding us that the concept of genres is only beneficial in theory, and thus the origins of country, rock, house, and other black-forged genres comes from their application. I find that the idea of pretty little genres plays into the racialized re-written history of them and what Beyoncé is fighting against with this trilogy project.

[@Julissa0_o]

How do you not hear Dolly on the intro and outro of Tyrant?!?

[@NikLovin757]

And my favorite part is when Dolly goes "Yeah" towards the end after Beyonce says "hangman got that whoa dere, don't act like you don't know" 😂

[@paolomasia91]

Amazing Skye! I don't comment anymore, but I'm always listening and sometimes also watching. AVAA!

[@JacobSkugrud]

When you ask about the juke box and if she’s smarter than you. Yes.

[@Birdiealway]

Absolutely

[@TinkerBellaMama]

Protector’s made me cry a couple of times as well. My boys are 17 and 11 and it always makes me remember them at Rumis age toddling around 😢 The ii is throughout the titles for one of the Album’s themes

[@kabakaybug]

AVAA! I love your perspective on this album, especially for 16 Carriages and Blackbird! I appreciate your videos because they make the album more enjoyable for me once I hear it again. After all, I’ll have new ears while listening! I also wanted to share my interpretation of the first and last song! I think the idea of American Requiem is that she's mourning what America could be. A place where black people do not have to be judged or confined in a box. Where we can freely make what we want to make and do want we want to do without being criticized. Especially if it’s truly a part of us and our being. She says “The big ideas are buried here” expressing that some ideas that may seem outlandish to others are buried in America and just in general. It may be weird, uncomfortable, and aggravating for some and It is something that should never see the light of day. And because of that, we can never progress as a nation. America could and should be a diverse nation where big and great ideas can and should be shared without condemnation, and judgment. It also adds more to the fact of what she’s singing about in the song. Saying that even though she’s from the South, white people did not deem her country enough, though country music came from black people. So throughout the song (and album of course), she’s helping to reclaim the genre as a black woman but also calling out those who said she was never country enough in the first place. And she proved them wrong and they were always wrong As the album ends with Amen, she then states “The old ideas are buried here” stating that after this genre-bending southern journey, we’ve been on, that old way of thinking that black people are only confined to one genre or space is buried now. Black people are not one-trick pony’s. It shouldn't be a complex thought or issue for people! We have done and created so many things that people take credit for constantly. And I hope that this album is a step in the right direction saying that we will reclaim what we’ve created, we will be recognized for it, and that it should be the norm as well. Some people will still think the opposite unfortunately but I hope Cowboy Carter changes people’s minds. Beyonce did a beautiful job, and I believe this is her best album as well! It’s not just good country/genre-bending music, it is truly just good music with great writing and beautiful production! There’s just so much love, artistry, and care into Cowboy Carter and I can tell! Absolute beautiful, emotional, and cinematic fun! It’s already my AOTY!

[@rebeccastreiner610]

First time watcher here - but still AVAA, thank you for your in-depth thoughts on this album. Keep those awesome vids coming 😊 and greetings from Germany

[@tiamonique]

Shooters can also refer to heavy hitters like The Dream, Swizz Beats, Dolly P, Willie Nelson, Raphael Saadiq, Paul McCartney, INK, Willie Nelson, Shaboozy, all of the black women country artists on Blackbird-it’s an appreciation of our roots; a nod to the future, a limitless existence. As for the thesis, this is a complicated history and journey and cannot be(nor should be) tied up with a neat little bow to meet academia standards-that is akin to putting her and music in to a box. A thesis also suggests proving something with examples when you just finished saying she shouldn’t have to prove anything yet, you want her to prove something within the confines of what you deem as necessary and acceptable.

[@markbarnwell942]

another well done reaction. you always teach me something when i was you proff. avaa

[@zachbryanchicago]

yes I cherish his videos so much, full of wisdom and interesting analyses.

[@user-jk1wv6qg7z]

American Requiem perfectly sets the stage when you learn about her experience at the CMAs she mentioned when launching the album. Every line will click. It’s like an EPIC foreword that will likely tie in the rock album we imagine - the sitar will likely tie into a heavy dose of 60s/70s rock.

[@Nettepooh014]

The root of Beyoncé’s music is talking about love so you gotta include love and grown up love, she loves her man and that’s always been stated in every Beyoncé song. We bey fans love a good love song 😝

[@chibimena]

This was a very interesting video! You bring up a lot of good points and I enjoyed listening to you stating how this album is a whole history lesson and how its made you want to learn more. This is exactly what Beyoncé was after (as her mother said on instagram). Correct me if I’m wrong but a lot of your takes seem to come from only having heard her newer albums? Lemonade onwards maybe? I think you’re missing a lot of context. Like that sexuality comment. Beyoncé has always been very sexual. Bootylicious? “I need a soldier known to carry big things if you know what I mean”? A whole lot of self-titled and basically every album. You mention that people glorify her, but then you are also separating her from her womanhood/sexuality, a madonna of your own making. This is actually something she really cares about-she’s not a machine. I’d recommend watching Herby Revolus’ video on the Renaissance’s tour, they delve more into this in detail. Also Beyoncé has always repped HARD for Houston, Texas. Almost in every album. It’s not about proving herself to you, it’s about how she keeps grounded. Lastly, I think Beyoncé can make music with “relatable” lyrics even if she herself doesn’t live that lifestyle. When she releases her music, it becomes ours, the gen pops. There’s a lot of lyrics that are not relatable in her music but there’s a reason for relatability and maybe it doesn’t work for you, but it does for others. Release ya job! Release the wiggle! I personally think with artists this big you need to keep a bit of disbelief, like when you watch movies.

[@user-jk1wv6qg7z]

This album was more cohesive when I learned she played famous Westerns on a giant screen while working on the album. It’s like a sweeping cinematic soundtrack in many ways. Songs like Daughter remind me of scenes in a Catholic Church in many westerns. Flamenco also fits more through that lens, for example. Sphagettii resembles the showdown at high noon and shoot ‘em up battle in the saloon.

[@catkibble6013]

THIS. I really wish this was publicized in a more accessible manner and that more people knew about this because I feel like it would really put things into perspective for the people who had a hard time conceptualizing this album as a cohesive body of work or understanding the full vision. the idea and vision is executed pretty well with the visualizers of the standalone songs on KZbin. I usually don't care for visualizers or check for them once I've listened to an album on DSP's but I loved this album so much, I went back on here to check out what they were giving and the way the songs are visualized, it gives the feel of individual western vignettes that I feel like some people might have otherwise missed.

[@kiera6288]

This is an amazing deep dive. Can you make a playlist with all the references you mentioned?

[@debbiejones-bolling971]

I disagree that it’s not important for her to state her credentials as an American over and over. Black Americans have had to fight our whole existence to be recognized and respected as Americans. First property then limited rights with white Americans quick to tell us “go back where we came from”. She’s letting folks know that not only did she come from here, her claim is a deep as anyone. Additionally, her use of different genres. If country music started with Black folks, then they moved from the banjo to the guitar creating rock-everything on the tree comes from us, no matter who sings or plays it. So you’re welcome, Nancy Sinatra, Beach Boys etc

[@thecaprikid1329]

Fought in their wars, tried to contribute to the society while living amongst ourselves (since we were clearly not seen as equal for WHATEVER reason😢) Etc. Etc. Etc. All that to say, let's not play pretend.

[@Birdiealway]

We fight for this every single day! So to say it’s not necessary to mention is just proving he doesn’t understand at all that day to day Black experience and that is ok. But don’t judge what you don’t know or understand. I was a little harsh in one of my comments and I regret that, but I don’t understand how he makes reference to certain verses and the way she uses gender, sex and the places where we (Black people) come from being a professional I thought he would have more historical knowledge.

[@leilaikusura4904]

This album is very intentional and there's so many details in it. She is literally showcasing how much people love to box artists into their own notions and she is breaking the barriers and giving younger/other artists the soft of "permission" to do Art without restrictions put onto them. Each song, the transitions, the album cover, everything is intentional. Beyonce doesn't just do things to do things. As far as her sexuality and their love life is concerned, I find what you say weird. Her sexy is hers and she and Jay love life is theirs so we can experience it and interpret it how we each feel. All in all Beyonce's art is exactly that Art, left for us to interpret and feel how we feel.

[@merchellemartin3916]

Thanks for this great history lesson. I am a new fan!❤

[@briana_b_]

In Tyrant, I think she kills the Hangman, who had an affair with her man and plenty of other men (“one by one, you hang them high”/“you owe me a debt, you stole him from me”/“don’t pay me in gold”/“hide your man when the hangman come in town”/“shoot up the bar, tell the law we remember nothin after that. Scott free. Whole city after me."/“have you seen her?… What a tragedy”). BUT then she ultimately becomes the Hangman/"Tyrant." She envied how the Hangman had control and a heart of stone with men (“your hands are steady and you sleep at night. How did you turn your heart to stone?”/"Hangman, teaach me how not to cry"). So essentially, I think she’s going back and forth between the original Hangman and herself, the now Tyrant, throughout the song.

[@Birdiealway]

Excellent

[@bidenhander]

AVAA. New to your channel. Came for the Beyonce, stayed for the Smarty Pants analysis, spit-taked at the mention of Fairport Red Raiders. Deep cut! Anyway, for what it's worth, I thought the sitar in Ameriican Requiiem tied into Blackbiird. Sort of a homage to mixing sounds and genres, which this album very much is. Not to mention it was also co-written by Jon Batiste, who put out Wold Music Radio last year, which very much did its own thing, genre-wise.

[@joan3422]

AVAA … Crazy that you said that at the beginning of never thinking country is a black thing. But also thanks for explaining it tho. Im not from the US and country music isnt a thing here rlly. I never thought of it as a "white" art form i always just thought its music. And when i saw this album i was like "oh cool, cowboy beyonce". I had no clue abt the greater implications of this

[@oceansunflower5894]

Google is free.👍🏻

[@hejaaquia8756]

Ok thanks prof Skye and all responders here. I am greatful for this contribution and all its goods. It gives great hooks to add on. I was amazed by what you did not add like f.e. the so obvious links of more songs to the initiating song Daddy Lessons on the Carter inspired album title 'Lemonade' and the historical link to that 13th century Rumi poet that the Projector/protector song is refering too. Maybe i should stop shunning that circular tiktok light and come out of the closet, using this great 21st century curricullar toolkit too. There is so much work at hand. I was looking for the announced Protector reaction.

[@tiffanylamb2316]

The sounds on this album take you all over and beyond

[@lavivaali2817]

Ur assessment of Cowboy Carter is exactly 💯 how I feel . The album of the century . It is exactly what we needed & Didn't know it. Hopefully it accomplish what is created for to unite people & get rid of all of this division amongst ppl. When it is all said & done we hv more in common then difference. Go head Queen u will hv the AOTY ❤. This album is a masterpiece ✨️.

[@tiffanylamb2316]

It’s a plethora of emotions and feelings in the whole album !! It’s about sex , cheating , blacks and whites and everything black women go through! It’s everything!

[@BAYLOR8590]

Aretha Franklin was another one of those black artists who did opera do we not remember the performance with Pavio spare the moment when the artist he had planned didn’t show and she stepped up and learned a song in a different language for the show that night

[@sp00kybabi45]

As good as you pay your dues, I think that you could have done more research on the songs themselves because you seem to miss a lot of the meanings behind them. I think it would enrich your enjoyment of the album. One of the major themes is that genre is a box that people are put in and it hold back true artistic expression. Beyoncé is her own genre, and takes inspiration from everything around her. She shows that you are able to successfully mix genres together to create a new sound.

[@shell7133]

Act 1,2,3. House Country and Rock. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Act 3.

[@tiffanylamb2316]

It’s so uplifting and educational and also the things she hS been through because she is a rich black woman

[@evamichaelis9455]

About American Requiem II: the Beatles were experimenting with Sitar sounds in the 60s - maybe it's a nod in that direction?

[@AmeerahMuhammad]

Beyonce flat out said this wasn’t a country album. It’s a Beyonce album. She is her own genre and has been for quite some time. So there was no thesis.

[@locopoco24]

What a coincidence I found your channel again. I was trying to search for you. I saw your review of Taylor Swift's Folklore album 3 years ago and was hoping that you would do an analysis of Beyoncé's latest. And you did! Huzzzzaaaahhhhh

[@HFtA_.]

AVAA, great video skye, love the research that went intot this one, always grateful for your dedication to what you do! For some reason a very long and thought out comment I made earlier got deleted? To sum it up in many fewer words I was wondering why, if "G*psy" and the n word are as bad as one another, is it okay that you say the former, but then use a placeholder for the other? Not a criticism, just interested to know your thoughts, and maybe why you think there's more of a stigma around the n word than there is g*psy. Thanks! (P.s. hearing you talk about black "bird" was amazing, as that was my immediate thought hearing the cover for the first time!)

[@casiedomingos5197]

That’s what I thought as well. Hmmmm I never knew it was a slur, not that I use the word that at all often.

[@HFtA_.]

@casiedomingos5197 I personally don't think either word isn't problematic to say in any contexts, idk, just seems insensitive, which is what skye was getting at

[@black_vase_]

avaa; hey skye, I just want to tell you that I‘ve always felt like your thoughts on „non-white culture“, and the way you present them, are considerate, cautious, sympathetic and well-reflected. you never seem self-absorbed, disrespectful or inappropriate when you’re talking about other cultures. you communicate your status as a „white outsider“, and the inevitable ignorance that comes with it, in a very open and transparent manner. I‘m shocked that so many people in the comment section are apparently blind to your good intentions and I really hope that you don‘t get discouraged from the many negative comments. you‘re doing really great work and I always feel like there‘s so much to learn from your videos. your reviews oftentimes elevate my already plentiful appreciation for hiphop and r‘n‘b in a way that noone else can replicate. I think that your input is invaluable; not despite but because of your cultural background.

[@professorskye]

Thank you for this comment. The negative comments do get to me sometimes, but I never lose sight of the fact that most are positive. And sometimes a comment like this comes in and is with 100 bad ones!

[@black_vase_]

@@professorskye just to prove my point; your video on mach-hommy‘s pray for haiti made me read the black jacobins by c.l.r. james. consequently, this book did not only increase my appreciation for the album but also initially sensitized me for the past and current situation in haiti. I‘m immensely grateful for it. considering that I‘m a med student in europe and a second generation asian immigrant, it shouldn’t be an understatement that your videos reach a wide audience; and that your influence is overall a very positive one. keep up the great work!

[@BeautyAnarchist]

I don't think it's "negative comments" at all like these people that are commenting are deeply intellectual about music and have critiques of their own that should be welcomed and no one should be insulated from critiques even the people who are doing the critiquing so it's a meta-critique in that sense

[@Birdiealway]

I would assume that you would be speaking about my comment as one of the negatives and perhaps that it is the way it was perceived. But I don’t own his perception. I do sincerely believe his comments were completely off base regarding the reaction, several of his comments and statements were completely just wrong and false! He did not in my opinion do a deep dive into this project as it most certainly deserves. I have listened to this project over and over and I learn something new every time. One thing I know about this artist is that she is always very intentional, always coming from a place of love and inclusivity but she is unapologetically BLACK! What he should do is read the comments because I learned much more from these comments than from his reaction. Also he only likes the comments that agree with him. How do you come here as white man to critique imo one of the most important artists of our generation Black or White and not take a deep dive. He just listened and took it literally when there are so many levels that we probably won’t actually get them all unless she tells us. I found his comments lazy and disrespectful! In my initial comment I was disappointed that I had even taken the time to listen, because I thought by the title he was going to take a deep dive but I was wrong and to be honest maybe as a white man he won’t get all of what is really going on in the lives of African Americans now or African American past. What she did here was try to give everyone a chance to look inside and see and imo he completely missed it. I would suggest give it the proper respect and research that a professor should do and come back again! Because honestly he missed the mark on just about every song and definitely on the project as a complete and cohesive piece of amazing music/art.

[@BAYLOR8590]

The album is bigger than we think this is a true artist and genius level musician that is battling the passed misconceptions of the roots of the genres and the upcoming threat of Artificial Intelligence in music and protecting the intellectual property rights of these artists say what you want but the queen is trying to make the world better for all

[@poofpiff3195]

AVSFAA(so far as always!) I will add more thoughts later but my guess so far on the video is the song with Post Malone. I was in Nashville a couple months back and really enjoyed the CMHOF as well, and found it to be so informative and it blew me away with how much old historical items they had from the early days of country music. Just ordered the book on amazon!!

[@Santiago-in1xf]

I'm not sure I read the gender swaps as weird. It felt like it was embodying the vibe of a 90s female rapper who often was very androgynous masculine in dress and flow mixed with the rise of the 2010s vixen rapper(Meghan Thee Stallion/Cardi/Nicki,etc) that are way more sexualized than their earlier counterpart. Re: Ya ya, I feel like it was late addition after Tina Turner passed and was inhabiting the space of her early career and pulled in some of her contemporaries. Or maybe not, because Tina Turner also had a country album(her debut solo album). Re: Tyrant , It could be Beyonce mimicking Dolly but the "One by one..." pre-verse portion sounds like Dolly mixed with a stacked Beyonce. Re: Levii's Jeans: As other folks noted Levi's was one of DC's first supporters and even before that, Ms Tina, who was Destiny's Child stylist at the time, put early Destiny's Child in denim on denim a lot. The song and described dress evokes early pop country to me. Get ready for a theory... I also feel that Levi's are, like Black music and culture, something that is quintessentially American but the creation of someone who "migrated" here. I remember being told the stories that before the fall of the USSR/Berlin Wall, Levi's jeans were a hot commodity and you could anecdotally fund a EU trip by taking a few new pairs and selling them on the black market. Even decades later, when I did a semester abroad in France, denim was a characteristic people told me would allow them to clock me as American even before opening my mouth. [Ironic because denim, the fabric/weaving style itself is a French creation, the name is derived from serge DE NIMes.] I could totally be reading too much into it but it feels like a nod to their early partnership, typical everyday 2000s "Country" dress, and a meta argument about commoditizing Black art.

[@PatsyC57]

Her album is exciting, new. I am not a Beyonce or country music fan but Spaghetti, Yaya and Tyrant got my attention. She is simply playing with sound and genre and turning country music on its side, while kicking all that gave her an icy reception with an ounce of history. Daughter drew my tears out with its beautiful sound. And by the way on American requiem, you would get an F as the song is quite clear, for birth and new understanding, your ignorance must be buried, therefore -F for comprehension, for you.

[@Birdiealway]

SAME! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

[@PatsyC57]

@@Birdiealway , in my opinion this was a flippant review, avoiding to address the purpose was either cowardly or a complete show of ignorance

[@theshevirgo]

My Rose was also titled My Sir on the CD release in the programming. Which wld make it an ode to her son so beautiful AVAA

[@aidaorozco3129]

The first time I listened to the album I didn’t get it. But the more I listen then more I understand it. Honestly it’s like Shakespeare, I had to study this rigorously. Listen to her discography. You will see so many references to the power dynamic of gender in this world. She is trying to break every rule, every mold.

[@aminawarrick5718]

AVAA - I like your critique. It's thoughtful, and I am appreciative. I feel like people are really missing the brilliance of American Requiiem because they're tied to their thesis rather than the work of art itself. The Requiem is a death of a lot of American ideas that were sold but never realized for most. If you feel that, then you're more willing to take the ride into her mind. One of the ideas that limits or suppresses artistry (by race and therefore classes of people, i.e. include immigrants) are the different genres. I think of this album as more Americana than country, in terms of covering American music. In that, she's talking about things from her POV, including this idea that of women having more masculine energy as they become more dominant in their families and careers. OAN: I'm uncomfortable every time you go in to cover the sexual lyrics. Stay in your lane, please, sir. 😂

[@missyanndavenport3745]

"Why are there no brothers on the wall?" That tickled me cuz I see what you did there.

[@MeAF111]

Saying you dont "buy" that a married couple have enjoyable sex is nuts 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@QuatMan]

She talks about her American legacy because that is where Black Americans are from. We ALSO have inconvenient European ancestors that people like to ignore, since we are ethnic Americans, and not "Africans". YOU see her music as a thesis and have the wyt need to characterize it in ways you are comforrable with because you REALLY do not understand the intuitive nature of Black American creative expression. SHE is throwing your rules away purposely. You do not define what is authentically her. SHE does. You have put her in a box you are comfortable with, like many people. Her entire album is to live in her own truth, not to stay in the confines that comfort YOU.

[@dnil582]

Thank you! I could only listen for 5 minutes before I had to turn it off. I’m tired of these people trying to dissect any and everything we do. And it’s not in a genuine way, it’s like “I know what I’m talking about listen to the white man”

[@QuatMan]

@@dnil582 💯💯 Many of his assessments appear to be about her breaking rules wyts made for music (that their "genres" exist, that no one can create outside of them, sxuality is wrong and whether or not it is acceptable is determined by them, that they decide what is and isnt authentic, that all the songs MUST be about her personally, that she cant sing as different characters in her songs, etc.) LAWDA MERCY🤣 If anyone missed the entire point of this masterpiece of an album, it's folks like this guy...

[@dnil582]

@@QuatMan I was so confused cause I was scrolling the comments and everyone was like this is such a brilliant take on the album… no it was very arrogant and I could not listen another second. Your comment made me happy

[@alessiar3260]

Agree 100%. However I would say that Beyonce recognises both her American-ness (pass me the term) and herself being a part of the African diaspora, as she did do a whole project called Black is King showcasing exactly that.

[@QuatMan]

@@alessiar3260 Beyonce recognizes that her roots are American, as she said several times on this album. Though ethnic Black Americans are confusing to some of you, she is not confused. Most ethnic Black Americans are also part of the European "diaspora"😉

[@robinvolpi]

Well Done. :) This album is meant to serve as a musical education of the African Americans historic place w/in Country music, which would sound like Irish Folk (great in It's own right, mind you) if it weren't for the Blues & Gospel of the enslaved Africans. This includes the BANJO, which was created by enslaved Africans in the Caribbean then, later brought to The States. Yes, the banjo wasn't created by the Appalachians but by Africans. I could also go into the Black artists that many of the earlier big name white country artists learned from then portrayed as their style.... as it was with Elvis and Black artists like Roy Hamilton, Big Mama Thornton, Chuck Berry and Sister Rosetta Tharpe - The Godmother of Rock & Roll), but it would take awhile. ;) Beyonce adds a bit of those artists work into this album as well. Her last few projects have been a meld of grand musical production, a mosaic of Black History and how the two interconnect. It appears that Beyonce is in a period of the Reclamation and Rejoicing of African American Culture, trying to correct the record due to the erasure and gate keeping whilst also trying to push The Culture forward in Unity, Knowledge and Beautiful Experiences and Conversations. 😎 It's what she's become known for. The Superficial and surface level won't fully appreciate this album over the more curious and expansive minded.

[@Birdiealway]

Thank you 🙏🏾 very well done!

[@BAYLOR8590]

It’s funny they keep saying that opera isn’t one of those lost black forms but the minstrel shows and performing arts 🎭 originated from those roots even to this day there are a ton of classical trained musicians who studied in school like Beyoncé and Cythia Eurivo for example that can switch singing styles instantly at a whim don’t underestimate how deep them roots run cause you’ll be in for another whirlwind of a journey

[@Lyricmami85]

"The man" just means the person on top of their game. It's not literal. Like, the big man on campus. She said, she said she's the man and everybody knows my name. The shooters in spaghetti is not literal either. You have to think of this album as a movie. It's a modern musical western. Also, the songs that are not "country" per say she still incorporated a lot of the same string instruments in the production.

[@InfoJunkie22]

Could the 5 foot 9 be a reference to the Tyler Hubbard song. Who also dibble and dabbled in rap in his youth.

[@whoistheo]

AVAA. I definitely understand what you mean about sticking to the thesis which is why I did the analysis of this album on my channel where I dissect the thesis and follow the thread through each song. I definitely think it was all intentional and that this album isn’t intended to just be a country album. Rather, I believe it was intended to question genre as it pertains to American music. I actually feel alot on this album would be correctly labeled as Americana. I believe she is pointing out the fact that this is a country based on culture brought over from immigrants so what exactly is Country? It’s the music of this country which, essentially, is a melting pot of different things. Check out my analysis to get more of me going in depth on why I feel this way. Awesome video by the way. I love this type of deep diving and carrying on.✨✨✨

[@tiffanylamb2316]

I hope she does kind of a rock album

[@jasonwright6839]

avaa. as a 20 something year old who also knows nothing about country music. i ordered that hank williams book and hope to have as good of an experience with it as you did

[@aiden0408]

AVAA, been a big fan for a few months now and appreciate the insight you have given me when it comes to new music. 1 comment tho, having you say “ *the g word* is as bad as the n word” reminds me of the John Mulaney joke about saying the word “midget”, if you’re saying one word but not the one you’re saying it’s as bad as doesn’t that contradict your point? Thanks!

[@pal4025]

Perspective on the masculine energy. People in the industry will tell you that Bey doesn’t play about her family, especially Jay. At some point 50 Cent said something about Jayz and she was not happy about it. She saw him in public and approached him and said something like “is there beef? And you need to keep my man’s name out yo mouth” something in that sort. 50 and Jay were shocked because it was impulsive. Therefore she’s a protector of her husband.

[@harmoneypeters]

They way you broke down blackbird was genius

[@Maggielesetoiles6]

I think the “Cowboy” in the title is a nod to the jukebox theory and I’m not a member of the Beehive 😉 she’s super genuis❤

[@mieldor76]

It's totally appropriate for you or anyone to use the word in an academic/teaching/reciting manor!

[@casiedomingos5197]

AAVE I love how all these Beyoncé albums are pushing for discussion and dissection of her art! I have grown up listening to Beyoncé and it has truly made me a more allround music listener! The amount of musicians I’ve found by digging and searching is crazy ❤ listening to this video I do think it is interesting to think about how we would react to artist if they weren’t accessible to us as the public. Like we wouldn’t no ANYTHING about it. Would that change the way we would interact and interpret their art? As longtime Beyoncé fan I’m always willing to listen to valid critic. Not the wanting to create controversy that are based on nothing 🤣

[@msmith3426]

Requiem also defines a act of remembrance

[@trentondavis9800]

At the core of every track it is country but of course this is the evolution of country and shes basically saying to you cannot label someone art and say what it is or isn't also i feel she's letting you know black people are not monolithic we are the genre basically if everything has been stolen from us😉 this not just an album its a Masterpiece 💛 Best Album Of The Century

[@anqeebeee]

“Cowboy” is for the male slaves who had the terrible responsibility of training the cattle. She’s not making this album about herself. You’re missing a lot of her reasons by trying to keep her in this box and theme when that wasn’t the goal here. It’s not so literal 🙄 the junk box is changing stations for a reason

[@agustinaorazi]

OMG I was thinking about The Who all the time while listening to American Requiem and I thought I was crazy

[@Yaminikumbaya]

I don’t think it the sitar that’s playing, it’s the tampura- an instrument used in Indian classical music to create sort of a background throughout the entire piece. Don’t know what it could be alluding to though, here in Beyoncés song….

[@princeofball]

Man this was a great take.

[@tiffanylamb2316]

Masterpiece album best one I think besides lemonade and renaissance was pretty good

[@KayC1039]

Is it possible that what you believe the thesis is could be in fact something else, the prime thesis underneath. Beyonce has already come out to say that this isn't a country album. It's a Beyonce album. There's this notion of genre bending and not being confined to a singular genre, that musicians should be able to play and explore in whatever genre because thats what art is. I think the country element and social commentary are secondary subjects reflected in her musicality. Just my opinion.

[@amsta0594]

Another thing that might be relevant to know in order to connect the dots, it’s that she worked on this album right after Lemonade, which concentrated on the story of her husband’s infidelity (among other themes). So I feel like some songs touch on their relationship after reconciliation

[@evamichaelis9455]

About American Requiem: I understood the line "For things to stay the same they have to change again" to mean that sometimes you have to change your ways or a system in order to preserve that which is good and cherished. I'm writing this from a European perspective, so maybe my guesses are wrong, but the first thing that came to mind is that Cowboy Carter is as political as it is personal. The idea of America has been corrupted, life is tough for its people and Beyoncé wants you to remember what America is made of, to stand up for your ideals, face the wind and also to remember how to have fun and be proud of all the good things. But in order to do so, some things have to go - hence the requiem. What are these things? I think hate, violence, envy etc. And Beyoncé is "coming in peace and love": "the big ideas are buried here". I love this album, I agree that it is a masterpiece and I love your in-depth analysis.

[@tammyfox2322]

She is saying don’t try to confine me to 1 or 2 genres of American music because ALL American music originated from Black people! We don’t mind if you play it too but don’t change history and say you invented it!

[@The_Gift]

Great video. This is my first time listening to you that I really enjoyed it. Just real quick, destiny's child was Beyonce's band. That is all

[@The_Gift]

Haha you got me!

[@professorskye]

😀

[@reginaldbrooks2981]

I like the Post song. I like Post in general.

[@rhondachapman924]

Hi again, Regarding Spaggettii. I am pretty sure She is referring to Her metaphorical shooter’s Act I and Act II. Despite popular stereotypes, She a black folk can’t fight back and kill this issue without the use of a gang.

[@tiffanylamb2316]

I think it’s absolutely amazing !! It’s all the genres Black people barely touch and she also told her story of the not so glamorous life she had !!

[@jahknow1]

24:49 i am with you with Tina Turner … the rest in french … ça fait depuis Lemonade qu’elle règle ses comptes avec les gossip … les premières paroles de la chanson Formation …

[@rhondachapman924]

Hi, in response to American Requiem Title ; She stated in the song That America’s “great ideals are buried here.” Presumably America’s ideas of freedom and equality are what is dead ☠️