Beyoncé‘s pivot to the country genre has already earned her tons of co-signs, but praise from Sir Paul McCartney is certainly up there as far as approval goes.
The Houston native released a cover of The Beatles‘ 1968 hit “Blackbird” as part of her critically acclaimed Cowboy Carter LP, released on March 29. Written during the Fab Four’s famous trip to India, the song was a response to the racial turbulence of the Civil Rights era, which sadly continues to cripple the United States even today.
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On Thursday (April 4), the Liverpool legend expressed his admiration for Queen B’s rendition of his composition while emphasizing its modern-day relevance in a lengthy Instagram post.
“I am so happy with @beyonce’s version of my song ‘Blackbird,'” he wrote next to a photograph of them together. “I think she does a magnificent version of it and it reinforces the civil rights message that inspired me to write the song in the first place.”
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He continued: “I think Beyoncé has done a fab version and would urge anyone who has not heard it yet to check it out. You are going to love it! I spoke to her on FaceTime and she thanked me for writing it and letting her do it. I told her the pleasure was all mine and I thought she had done a killer version of the song.
“When I saw the footage on the television in the early 60s of the black girls being turned away from school, I found it shocking and I can’t believe that still in these days there are places where this kind of thing is happening right now. Anything my song and Beyoncé’s fabulous version can do to ease racial tension would be a great thing and makes me very proud.”
Beyoncé is currently dominating the charts thanks to her rootsy new album, all while making sure she doesn’t take all the credit for herself.
Earlier this week, Jack White shared photographs of a bouquet and a thank-you note from the singer that reads: “I hope you are well. I just wanted you to know how much you inspired me on this record.”
In the caption of the Instagram post, he responded by expressing his admiration for the 42-year-old: “What a sweet gesture to receive here in Nashville this morning from the talented and gracious @beyonce celebrating her new Cowboy Carter album. Much love and respect to you Madam, and thank you kindly. Keep making beautiful and powerful music, nobody sings like you.”
While the credits for said project do not list White as a contributor, the artists’ affinity with one another is no secret.
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Whereas the Detroit native’s long-awaited recordings with JAY-Z never saw the light of day, he did manage to settle on a final product with Bey when the two collaborated on the 2016 Lemonade cut “Don’t Hurt Yourself.”
Furthermore, the Third Man Records boss covered Dolly’s Parton’s “Jolene” when he was still releasing music as one half of the White Stripes back in 2000. Fast forward 24 years and Beyoncé has released her own rendition of the country classic on her new album.
