Beyonce Was Able To Use Beatles’ Original “Blackbird” Back Track

Beyoncé’s latest album, Cowboy Carter, has been turning heads, and the credits keep revealing surprises. One standout is her cover of “Blackbird,” which has a closer tie to the Beatles than we knew.

Her version of “Blackbird” is built on the original recording from the Beatles’ 1968 White Album, with Paul McCartney’s foot tapping and guitar. A rep for McCartney confirmed this to Variety, giving props to Beyoncé’s team.

McCartney is credited as guitarist and co-producer on Beyoncé’s track, with additional strings and bass from co-producer Khirye Tyler. This news adds to the intrigue around Cowboy Carter, although some credits are still up in the air.

Beyoncé’s cover was well received by McCartney, who said on Facebook that Beyoncé did a great job. Additionally, he mentioned their FaceTime conversation in which he congratulated her for taking on the song.

This isn’t the first time McCartney has let someone use “Blackbird.” In 2019, Rachel Fuller did a version with an orchestra and choir, showing the song’s enduring appeal.

Uncovering the Roots of a Beatles Classic

McCartney’s classic song draws inspiration from Bach’s melodies and the dangerous Civil Rights era of the 1960s.

In a conversation with Barry Miles for Many Years Ago, McCartney reminisced about the inspiration behind “Blackbird” amid the fervor of the Civil Rights movement. He explained, “Those were the days of the Civil Rights movement, which all of us cared passionately about, so this was really a song from me to a black woman, experiencing these problems in the States.” He aimed to offer encouragement, urging listeners to persevere and maintain their faith.

The lyrics of “Blackbird” were crafted with a symbolic touch. Instead of explicitly referencing a specific scenario like “Black woman living in Little Rock,” McCartney opted for a more universal symbol—the blackbird. By doing so, he made the song adaptable to various personal struggles. The iconic guitar riff of “Blackbird” can be traced back to the classical piece “Bourée in E minor,” a foundational melody that both McCartney and George Harrison embraced in their early days as guitarists.

Expressing his satisfaction with Beyoncé’s rendition, McCartney shared, “I am so happy with Beyoncé’s version of my song ‘Blackbird.’ 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.” Reflecting on the enduring relevance of the song’s message, McCartney highlighted his shock at witnessing racial injustices on television in the early ’60s, lamenting that similar issues persist to this day. He emphasized the potential of his song, coupled with Beyoncé’s rendition, to contribute positively towards easing racial tensions, a sentiment that fills him with pride.

McCartney’s words underscore the enduring power of music to address societal issues and inspire positive change. Beyoncé’s interpretation of “Blackbird” serves as a poignant reminder of the song’s timeless message of resilience and unity in the face of adversity.