Admittedly I’ve been less than a Beyoncé enthusiast; that changed with the Cowboy Carter album. And I like country music but it’s not my favorite genre. I love the outlaw group, the outlier folks who speak for the marginalized people. Beyoncé ‘s outright chutzpah in taking this on, making it her own while highlighting black artists spoke across many dividing lines…Blackbird is my favorite because it takes the song to its origins. I saw Jimi Hendrix in concert (not at Woodstock) and heard him play the Star Spangled Banner. Thank you for sharing this with us. THIS is how we take the flag back. Thank you for pointing this out and bravo to Beyonce!
Thank you for telling the more fulsome story behind these songs. Hopefully, Beyoncé and other artists can continue to help us make peace with our history, while retaining and celebrating what needs to be celebrated
Quite a moving piece, Sari. In my opinion this is your best Substack to date. The historical theme of music and the National Anthem, specifically, as protest is brilliant.
Admittedly I’ve been less than a Beyoncé enthusiast; that changed with the Cowboy Carter album. And I like country music but it’s not my favorite genre. I love the outlaw group, the outlier folks who speak for the marginalized people. Beyoncé ‘s outright chutzpah in taking this on, making it her own while highlighting black artists spoke across many dividing lines…Blackbird is my favorite because it takes the song to its origins. I saw Jimi Hendrix in concert (not at Woodstock) and heard him play the Star Spangled Banner. Thank you for sharing this with us. THIS is how we take the flag back. Thank you for pointing this out and bravo to Beyonce!
And she wrote this album first. The truest visionary. This is great writing Sari 🎯
Thank you so much!
Ms. Rosenberg, you ate this analysis!!
Highest praise. Thank you Queen
Thank you for telling the more fulsome story behind these songs. Hopefully, Beyoncé and other artists can continue to help us make peace with our history, while retaining and celebrating what needs to be celebrated
Quite a moving piece, Sari. In my opinion this is your best Substack to date. The historical theme of music and the National Anthem, specifically, as protest is brilliant.
Thank you so much! I really enjoyed unpacking and writing this!!!