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As Beyoncé said herself, her new album, Cowboy Carter, isn’t a country album — “it’s a Beyoncé album.” Instead of conforming to country norms, the singer is making the genre her own, and in the opening song, “Ameriican Requiem,” she challenges the notion of what’s considered country music.
Beyoncé previously explained that Cowboy Carter was inspired by an experience “where I did not feel welcomed… and it was very clear that I wasn’t.” The Beyhive quickly suspected it was her performance of “Daddy Lessons” with The Chicks at the 2016 Country Music Awards.
“The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me,” she wrote. “Act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.”
Around the same time, the Grammys country committee rejected “Daddy Lessons” when Bey submitted it for consideration in the country categories, stopping any potential nominations. Now, as she heads into her era, Beyoncé is questioning what it means to be country.
The Meaning Of “Ameriican Requiem”
Beyoncé slyly nods to her 2016 CMAs performance right off the bat, referring to comments that were reportedly made in the audience as she was performing. “It’s a lot of talkin’ goin’ on while I sing my song,” she states on the chorus. “Can you hear me? I said, do you hear me?”
She continues to ask these questions over a blur of psychedelic Western guitars and gospel-esque belting, pleading for unity and defiance. “Can we stand for something?” she asks. “Now is the time to face the wind.” In the second verse, she reaches a catharsis, linking her Southern upbringing to the country industry backlash.
“They used to say I spoke too country, then the rejection came, said I wasn’t country enough,” she sings. “Said I wouldn’t saddle up, but if that ain’t country, tell me, what is? Plant my bare feet on solid ground for years. They don’t, don’t know how hard I had to fight for this when I sing my song.”
Beyoncé’s “Ameriican Requiem” Lyrics
Read the full lyrics to Beyoncé’s “Ameriican Requiem” below.
Nothin’ really is
For things to say the same, they have to change again
Hello, my old friends
You change your name but not the ways you play pretend
American Requiem, yeah
The big ideas (yeah) are buried here (yeah)
Amen
It’s a lot of talkin’ goin’ on
While I sing my song
Can you hear me?
I said, “Do you hear me?”
Looker there, looker there, now
Looker there, looker there
Looker looker, looker there, looker there
Looker looker, looker there, looker there
Looker looker, looker there, looker there (Oh, yeah)
Looker looker, looker there, looker there
It’s a lot of chatter in here
But let me make myself clear (Oh)
Can you hear me? (Huh)
Or, do you fear me? (Wow)
Can we stand for something?
Now is the time to face the wind (Ow)
Covered in peace and love, y’all
Oh, a lot of takin’ up space
Salty tears beyond my gaze
Can you stand me?
(Can you stand me? Can you stand me? Can you stand me?) Ooh, ah
And we’ll stand (Can you stand me? Can you stand me? Can you stand me? Can you stand me? Can you stand me? Can you stand me?)
Can you stand with me?
Can we stand for something?
Now is the time to face the wind
Now ain’t the time to pretend
Now is the time to let love in
Take me to myself (To myself)
It’s a lot of talkin’ goin’ on (Oh)
While I sing my song (Yeah)
Do you hear me when I say I—?
Do you hear me when I say I—?
Looker there, looker there
Looker, look
Looker-looker-looker-looker-looker
Looker-looker there, looker there
L-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-l-looker there
Oh, looker there, looker there
Looker there, looker there (Can you stand me? Can you stand me? Can you stand me?)
L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L (Can you stand me? Can you stand me?)
Can we stand for something?
Now is the time to face the wind (Now is the time to face the wind)
Now ain’t the time to pretend
Now is the time to let love in (To let love in)
Together, can we stand?
Looker there, liquor in my hand
The grandbaby of a moonshine man
Gadsden, Alabama
Got folks down in Galveston, rooted in Louisiana
They used to say I spoke too country
Then the rejection came, said I wasn’t country ‘nough
Said I wouldn’t saddle up, but
If that ain’t country, tell me, what is?
Plant my bare feet on solid ground for years
They don’t, don’t know how hard I had to fight for this
When I sing my song
(When I sing my song of Abraham)
(When the angels come and take my hand) (Oh, no)
Goodbye to what has been
Pretty house that we never settled in
A funeral for fair-weather friends
I am the one that cleansed me of my father’s sins
American Requiem
The men ideas (Yeah), are buried here (Yeah) Amen
