Beyoncé at the 2025 Grammy Awards. Francis Specker/CBS via Getty Images
“Ameriican Requiem” is the opening track on “Cowboy Carter.”
The lyrics allude to Beyoncé’s duet with The Chicks at the 2016 CMA Awards, which sparked backlash among conservative country fans (“It’s a lot of talkin’ goin’ on / While I sing my song / Can you hear me? / I said, ‘Do you hear me?'”).
Upon the album’s release, Beyoncé told fans that “Cowboy Carter” was inspired by a time when she “did not feel welcomed” by the country music establishment.
Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, and Tiera Kennedy at the 2024 CMT Awards. John Shearer/Getty Images for CMT
Beyoncé performed during halftime of an NFL football game in Houston. Brooke Sutton/Getty
Beyoncé’s performance of the United States national anthem underscores a key “Cowboy Carter” theme — that country music, much like the actual country where it was created, has always been indebted to the labor of Black people.
“Cowboy Carter” has often been cast as a “reclamation a genre that’s been divorced from its original creators,” in the words of Kofi Mframa for USA Today. At the tour’s opening show, Beyoncé’s merch stand sold T-shirts that read, “Never ask for permission for something that already belongs to you.”
Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar performed together in 2016. Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images
“Freedom” is the 10th track on Beyoncé’s celebrated 2016 album, “Lemonade.” The studio version features Kendrick Lamar.
Beyoncé performed during halftime of an NFL football game in Houston. Julian Dakdouk/Parkwood Entertainment
Beyoncé performed a mashup of the standout “Cowboy Carter” track “Ya Ya” with a deep cut from her third solo album, “I Am… Sasha Fierce.”
Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar perform “America Has a Problem” in the “Renaissance” concert movie. Carlijn Jacobs
“America Has a Problem” is the 14th track on “Renaissance.” It was later released as a single, alongside a remix featuring Lamar.
Beyoncé performed during halftime of an NFL football game in Houston. Alex Slitz/Getty Images
“Spaghettii” is the 12th track on “Cowboy Carter.” The studio version features Linda Martell, a pioneering country singer from the early ’70s, and Shaboozey, a genre-bending country star whose 2024 hit “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” broke the record among solo songs for most weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Beyonce in the music video for “Formation.” Beyonce/YouTube
“Formation” was released as the lead single from “Lemonade.” Beyoncé gave her debut performance of the song during a surprise appearance at the 2016 Super Bowl halftime show.
“My House” was released as a single to promote “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé.” Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood
“My House” was released as a standalone track in 2023, sandwiched between “Renaissance” and “Cowboy Carter.”
“Diva” was released as a single in 2009. Beyoncé/YouTube
In a scene from “Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” the superstar contemplates cutting “Diva” from the set list. Her eldest daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, protests. “You can’t do that!” she tells her mother.
“I appreciate your opinion, but you’ve gotta calm down,” Beyoncé replies.
Lo and behold, “Diva” remained in the “Renaissance” tour set list — and stuck around for “Cowboy Carter,” too.
“Alliigator Tears” was cowritten by Beyoncé and her longtime producer The-Dream. Blair Caldwell/Parkwood
“Alliigator Tears” is the 13th track on “Cowboy Carter.”
“Just for Fun” was cowritten by Beyoncé and Ryan Beatty. Mason Poole/Parkwood
“Just for Fun,” a duet with Willie Jones, is the 15th track on “Cowboy Carter.”
“Protector” was cowritten by Beyoncé and Ryan Beatty. Blair Caldwell/Parkwood
“Flamenco” was cowritten by Beyoncé and Shawntoni Ajanae Nichols, aka Mamii. Mason Poole/Parkwood
“Flamenco” is the 18th track on “Cowboy Carter.”
“Desert Eagle” was cowritten by Beyoncé and Miranda Johnson. Blair Caldwell/Parkwood
“Desert Eagle” is the 22nd track on “Cowboy Carter.”
“Riiverdance” was coproduced by Beyoncé and The-Dream. Mason Poole/Parkwood
“Riiverdance” is the 23rd track on “Cowboy Carter.” It was cowritten by Beyoncé and Rachel Keen, aka Raye, who was recently nominated for best new artist at the Grammys.
Beyoncé performed during halftime of an NFL football game in Houston. Alex Slitz/Getty Images
“II Hands II Heaven” is the 24th track on “Cowboy Carter.”
Beyoncé performed during halftime of an NFL football game in Houston. Eric Christian Smith/AP
Beyoncé performed a mashup of a high-energy “Cowboy Carter” standout with two fan-favorite tracks from “Renaissance.”
Dolly Parton released “Jolene” as a single in 1973. Charlie Riedel/AP
Beyoncé performed “Daddy Lessons” at the 2016 CMA Awards. Image Group LA/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
“Daddy Lessons,” the sixth track on “Lemonade,” marked Beyoncé first official foray into country music. The song is both a celebration and a critique of her family legacy, particularly her father, who hails from Gadsden, Alabama.
Beyoncé in the visualizer for “Bodyguard.” Beyoncé/YouTube
“Bodyguard” is the eighth track on “Cowboy Carter.” Beyoncé released a visualizer for the song last November, inspired by Pamela Anderson’s role in “Baywatch.”
Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus perform together in 2008. Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Beyoncé performs during the Renaissance World Tour. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Parkwood
“Cuff It” is the fourth track on “Renaissance.”
“Tyrant” features an intro from Dolly Parton. Blair Caldwell/Parkwood
“Tyrant” is the 25th track on “Cowboy Carter.”
Beyoncé performs during the Renaissance World Tour. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood
“Thique” is the 12th track on “Renaissance.”
Post Malone and Beyoncé performed “Levii’s Jeans” during the halftime show on Christmas Day. Alex Slitz/Getty Images
“Levii’s Jeans,” a duet with Post Malone, is the 17th track on “Cowboy Carter.”
Beyoncé debuted live performances of “Cowboy Carter” songs on December 25, 2024. Alex Slitz/Getty Images
“Daughter” is the 11th track on “Cowboy Carter.”
Beyoncé performs during the Renaissance World Tour. Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood
“I’m That Girl” is the opening track on “Renaissance.”
Beyoncé performs during the Renaissance World Tour. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Parkwood
“Cozy” is the second track on “Renaissance.”
Beyoncé performs during the Renaissance World Tour. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Parkwood
“Alien Superstar” is the third track on “Renaissance.”
Beyoncé in the visualizer for “Texas Hold ‘Em.” Beyoncé/YouTube
“Texas Hold ‘Em” was surprise-released as the lead single from “Cowboy Carter” during the 2024 Super Bowl. It debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart, making Beyoncé the first Black woman in history to hold the top position.
“Texas Hold ‘Em” also reached No. 1 on the Hot 100, where it remained for two weeks.
“Crazy in Love” was released on May 14, 2003. Beyoncé/YouTube
Beyoncé performs during the Renaissance World Tour. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Parkwood
“Heated” is the 11th track on “Renaissance.”
Beyoncé performs at Coachella in 2018. Larry Busacca/Getty
Beyoncé in the visualizer for “16 Carriages.” Beyoncé/YouTube
“16 Carriages” was released alongside “Texas Hold ‘Em” as the lead single’s B-side.
Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour poster. Courtesy of Parkwood Entertainment
“Amen” is the closing track on “Cowboy Carter.”
