Beyoncé, 16 Carriages | Song Review 🎵

Grammy-winning superstar Beyoncé stupendously ushers in Act II, the follow-up to Renaissance, with the gorgeous, stunning country ballad, “16 Carriages.”

“Sixteen carriages drivin’ away / While I watch them ride with my dreams away / To the summer sunset on a holy night / On a long back road, all the tears I fight.” Here comes Act II! The return of Beyoncé comes sooner than later.  Following Renaissance in July 2022, Act II arrives less than two years later. In advance of Act II, the Grammy-winning superstar released two singles: “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages”. The common thread between both? Country/western music, baby! Queen Bey penned “16 Carriages” alongside Ink, Raphael Saadiq, and Dave Hamelin.  She produced it alongside Ink and Hamelin.

Arguably, “16 Carriages” is the grandest of the two Act II singles. Furthermore, the songwriting is deeper, integrating the personal touches of the best country songs. “At fifteen, the innocence was gone astray / Had to leave my home at an early age,” Beyoncé sings in the first verse, adding, “I saw Mama prayin’, I saw Daddy grind / All my tender problems, had to leave behind.”  The second verse is penned in a similar style, with the pre-chorus featuring more rhythmic, but equally tuneful melodies.  “I might cook, clean, but still won’t fold / Still workin’ all my life, you know / Only God knows,” she sings in the pre-chorus. Of course, the chorus is the section to beat, featuring robust accompaniment matching its dynamic nature. Beyond well-rounded songwriting, memorable melodies, and solid accompaniment, the biggest triumph is… Beyoncé! Her voice sounds utterly sublime as she authentically delivers this stunning ballad.  “16 Carriages” marks another surefire winner for Bey.

Beyoncé // “16 Carriages” // Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia // 2.11.24

[📷: Brent Faulkner/The Musical Hype; Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia; Clker-Free-Vector-Images, Królestwo Nauki, OpenClipart-Vectors, Pete Linforth, Tumisu from Pixabay]