There are some critics of Beyoncé’s cover of The Beatles’ classic “Blackbird,” but she’s got one important supporter: the original songwriter, Paul McCartney. Sir Paul took to Instagram nearly a week after the song was released on Bey’s eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, to share his congratulations and give more insight as to why the “Texas Hold ‘Em” artist’s cover is so important. Celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Rita Wilson shared their admiration for the cover on the post as well.
Beyoncé has a Special Connection to Paul McCartney’s Song
Days before Cowboy Carter’s release, Beyoncé uploaded the tracklist to Instagram, and fans were quick to notice “Blackbird” was indeed included after rumors swirled online. As Paul McCartney said on Instagram, “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 … 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,” making Beyoncé’s recording of the track that much more meaningful. Beyoncé recruited Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy, and Reyna Roberts for the recording, too.
Critics of Cowboy Carter, particularly Beyoncé’s covers, have been harsh, finding it brazen for the artist to cover such major pieces of music in her first full-length attempt at a new genre, but the original artists have been nothing but supportive. “I think Beyoncé has done a fab version and would urge anyone who has not heard it yet to check it out,” the “Blackbird” writer said of the cover.
Additionally, Dolly Parton gave her seal of approval to Beyoncé’s “Jolene” cover, and even appeared on Cowboy Carter for the interlude “Dolly P” and the song “Tyrant.” Who cares about critics when you’ve got support from Dolly Parton and Paul McCartney, two of the greatest musical artists of all time?
