Beyoncé wrapped up the final night of her six-show Cowboy Carter tour in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on June 16, ending with a personal message to fans and a nod to one of the UK’s most celebrated songwriters.
“Thank you, Sir Paul McCartney, for writing one of the best songs ever made. Every time I sing it, I feel so honored. And it is a full circle moment to wear your beautiful daughter’s design,” she posted on Instagram, referring to her version of the Beatles’ 1968 song “Blackbird” featured on Cowboy Carter.
“Thank you, London, for creating unforgettable memories for me and my family,” she added. “Holla at ‘ya when I come on tour again!”
Her rendition, titled “Blackbiird,” adds orchestral strings and features vocals from four emerging Black female country singers: Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, and Tiera Kennedy. This cover is one of two reinterpretations on the album, along with a reworked version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”
Earlier this year, McCartney commended Beyoncé’s cover, describing it as a “magnificent” version that maintains the civil rights themes that influenced the song’s creation. “I think Beyoncé has done a fab version and would urge anyone who has not heard it yet to check it out,” he shared on Instagram. “You are going to love it.”
The Beatles’ original “Blackbird” was inspired by the Little Rock Nine, a group of Black students who were met with violent opposition while integrating a high school in Arkansas in 1957. McCartney explained the song aimed to uplift Black women facing injustice.
According to Variety, Beyoncé’s track includes McCartney’s original master recording. He also mentioned having a FaceTime conversation with her about the song.
“I spoke to her on FaceTime and she thanked me for writing it and letting her do it,” McCartney wrote, recalling how she expressed appreciation for his work. “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.”
Released in March 2024, Cowboy Carter debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and marked Beyoncé as the first Black woman to top the Top Country Albums chart. The album also earned her Grammy wins for album of the year and best country album.
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