COWBOY CARTER

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Work

COWBOY CARTER · Beyoncé grew up in Houston, where country and rodeo were part of her childhood. Her country track Daddy Lessons from 2016 drew criticism from people who felt she did not belong in the genre. That led her to research the history of country music, and in doing so she discovered its Black roots. She began Cowboy Carter in 2019, recorded it during the pandemic and made it the second part of a trilogy. It came out after Renaissance, although it had originally been planned earlier.

The album is a wide-ranging mix of music from the American South, performed with acoustic instruments. It sounds like a radio broadcast with Dolly Parton, Linda Martell and Willie Nelson as DJs. Texas Hold 'Em became the first country song by a Black woman to top the Billboard Hot 100. Critics praised the ambitious reworking of Americana. The album won the Grammy for Album of the Year.

Listening

Track list

1. 1AMERIICAN REQUIEM5:25Apple Music ↗
2. 2BLACKBIIRD2:12Apple Music ↗
3. 316 CARRIAGES3:47Apple Music ↗
4. 4PROTECTOR3:04Apple Music ↗
5. 5MY ROSE0:53Apple Music ↗
6. 6SMOKE HOUR ★ WILLIE NELSON0:51Apple Music ↗
7. 7TEXAS HOLD 'EM3:53Apple Music ↗
8. 8BODYGUARD4:00Apple Music ↗
9. 9DOLLY P0:23Apple Music ↗
10. 10JOLENE3:10Apple Music ↗
11. 11DAUGHTER3:24Apple Music ↗
12. 12SPAGHETTII2:38Apple Music ↗
13. 13ALLIIGATOR TEARS2:59Apple Music ↗
14. 14SMOKE HOUR II0:30Apple Music ↗
15. 15JUST FOR FUN3:24Apple Music ↗
16. 16II MOST WANTED3:29Apple Music ↗
17. 17LEVII'S JEANS4:18Apple Music ↗
18. 18FLAMENCO1:40Apple Music ↗
19. 19THE LINDA MARTELL SHOW0:28Apple Music ↗
20. 20YA YA4:35Apple Music ↗
21. 21OH LOUISIANA0:52Apple Music ↗
22. 22DESERT EAGLE1:12Apple Music ↗
23. 23RIIVERDANCE4:12Apple Music ↗
24. 24II HANDS II HEAVEN5:41Apple Music ↗
25. 25TYRANT4:11Apple Music ↗
26. 26SWEET ★ HONEY ★ BUCKIIN'4:56Apple Music ↗
27. 27AMEN2:25Apple Music ↗

30-second previews via Apple Music. Listen to the whole album on Apple Music ↗