Beyoncé, BLACKBIIRD | COVERS

In the 28^th edition of COVERS (2025), Beyoncé delivers a compelling rendition of “BLACKBIIRD,” originally performed by The Beatles.   

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 28^th  edition of COVERS (2025), Beyoncé delivers a compelling rendition of “BLACKBIIRD”, originally performed by The Beatles.  

“All your life / You were only waiting for this moment to arise.” Beyoncé recorded a polarizing (to some) masterpiece with COWBOY CARTER.  The debate from traditionalists is that COWBOY CARTER, which won both Best Country Album and Album Of The Year at the Grammys, is not a country album. It’s a layered, nuanced discussion, one which I won’t dive into here.  The focus is one of many bops from this superb country album – I said it, and I’ll say it again. “BLACKBIIRD” is the second track from COWBOY CARTER.  The decorated superstar is assisted by rising black country artists Tanner Adell, Britney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts. A cover, “Blackbird” was written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and originally appeared on The Beatles’ 1968 album, The Beatles [White Album]. Although a cover, the original reflects and responds to the turbulent times of the 1960s and the civil rights movement. McCartney stated that the blackbird is a metaphor for a black woman. Fittingly, Beyoncé, a woman of color in a genre that is dominated by white artists but has black roots, sings this hopeful masterpiece.  Bey not only got the blessing of McCartney regarding her rendition, but he also produced it with her.  “BLACKBIIRD” peaked at number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Like the original, “BLACKBIIRD” is brief, running a tight 2:11. Beyoncé, with her beautiful, rich, and robust tone. As she sings the lyrics, her authenticity and sincerity are indisputable.  Despite the adversity, it is time for the blackbird, who is marginalized, to ascend (“Blackbird singing in the dead of night / Take these broken wings and learn to fly”).  Adding to the poetic lyrics and marvelous vocals of Bey are gorgeous, warm vocal harmonies.  The vocal arrangement and production are sensational.  Beyond the vocal production, the overall production and sound are glorious, too.  The sound is updated from the original, with tasteful tweaks that make it perfectly fit the 21^st-century aesthetic. The strings are delightful, coupled with those angelic, warm vocal harmonies. The third and final verse is performed by Adell, Spencer, Kennedy, and Roberts, giving them their moment to shine, arise, and be free. Beyoncé caps off this epic cover, singing the meaningful lyrics, “You were only waiting for this moment to arise.” “BLACKBIIRD”, in the hands of Beyoncé, Tanner Adell, Britney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts, is stunning.

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Beyoncé » COWBOY CARTER » Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia » 2024

Beyoncé, BLACKBIIRD: Covers No. 28 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Parkwood Entertainment LLC / Columbia; Alan Cordero, Flávia Vicentini from Pexels; AcatXIo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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