Beyoncé, “Church Girl” | Controversial Tunes 😈🎶

In the 20^th  edition of Controversial Tunes (2022), we explore the controversy behind the song, “Church Girl” by Beyoncé. 

Bring on the controversy! Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 is a column that provides background information and insight into songs that raised eyebrows and totally stirred the pot.  The records that grace Controversial Tunes are old and new alike, with all genres of music welcome.  In the 20^th edition of Controversial Tunes (2022), we explore the controversy behind the song, 🎵 “Church Girl” by 🎙 Beyoncé. 

Theme & Lyrics ✍

“Nobody can judge me, but me / I was born free.” Indeed, 🎙 Beyoncé, indeed!  The problem is, that lots of folks have had plenty of criticism for the 🏆 Grammy-winning superstar and her 2022 album, 💿 RENAISSANCE.  Given how much attention RENAISSANCE has received beyond its brilliant music, the entire album could be dissected by respective controversies.  For this edition of Controversial Tunes 😈🎶, we focus on 🎵 “Church Girl.”

“Church Girl” arrives as a later controversy from RENAISSANCE.  Brilliantly, Beyoncé and her production team (including 🎛 No I.D.) opted for a soulful, gospel-tinged backdrop.  Making that sound possible is four samples, most notably including iconic gospel collective, 🎙 The Clark Sisters (🎵 “Center of Thy Will”).  So, given the sanctified sample, as well as the religious-minded title, Beyoncé has to be singing about the love of God and all things Christian, right? Wrong! Honestly, if you’re agnostic or atheist listening to “Church Girl,” you have little to sweat about!  The record isn’t particularly Christian – an understatement.

When reviewing, RENAISSANCE, of “Church Girl,” I asserted, “it’s doubtful the saints would approve of ‘She gon’ shake that ass and them pretty tig ol’ bitties.’” Obviously, I was correct, as ✝ Bishop Patrick Wooten was unhappy with “Church Girl.” According to Radar Online, Wooten called the record a “piece of trash,” stated Beyoncé “released sacrilege,” and states he believes, “somebody done sold their soul to the devil.”  Yeah, the Bishop was shook! Furthermore, he discusses Beyoncé’s lack of salvation – yikes! If you, like me, have experienced the black church, in particular, this is on-base with SOME church’s thinking, especially more conservative, traditional denominations.  Obviously, thot-driven lyrics like “I’ll drop it like a thottie, drop it like a thottie” don’t align with such values.

That said, many church members balance secular and sanctified in not only music, but bigger picture, their everyday lives.  The article by Radar Online mentions the support that Beyoncé has received despite Wooten’s disdain.  Also, worth noting, writer 🎙 Twinkie Clark, whom Wooten also mentioned when criticizing Bey, thanked her for sampling it!  Furthermore, others have come to her defense, including 🎙 Tank and contemporary gospel musician, Deitrick Haddon.

Final Thoughts 💭 

So, is the controversy surrounding Beyoncé and 🎵 “Church Girl” much ado about nothing? Personally, I think so, that said, as a lifelong member of the black church, it depends on whom you ask.  The black church, much like black people, isn’t monolithic, but, there are plenty who echo Wooten’s opinions and are ready to damn Beyoncé to hell. But as for me and my house, even if I should consider repenting about listening to this sinful joint, I really don’t want to – it’s so good! “Church girls actin’ loose, bad girls actin’ snotty!”

🎙 Beyoncé • 💿 RENAISSANCE • 🏷 Parkwood Entertainment / Columbia • 🗓 2022

Beyoncé, “Church Girl”: Controversial Tunes 😈🎶 No. 20 (2022) [📷: Brent Faulkner, Columbia, cottonbro, Darkmoon_Art,  TheDigitalArtist, inna mikitas, Isabela Catão, Jonathan Nenemann, The Musical Hype, Parkwood Entertainment, Pexels, Pixabay, Tazz Vaughn, Victoria Borodinova, zzzvector]