Beyonce sent flowers to Jack White to thank him for inspiring Cowboy Carter

Be honest: when Beyonce released Act i: Renaissance, did you guys think that we would eventually get a complete three-act project? I had my doubts, but that’s what I get for doubting Beyonce. While Renaissance was popular and acclaimed, Cowboy Carter has landed like a nuclear bomb. People are really obsessed with the album and everything that went into making the album. There’s already talk about Beyonce ruling next year’s Grammys with this album, although I’m sure Taylor Swift and The Tortured Poets Department will have something to say about that.

A few pieces of information I found really cool. First off, Dolly Parton is the sole songwriter credited with the updated version of “Jolene.” I suspect that Beyonce was the one who rewrote the lyrics, but Dolly rolls differently when it comes to her music catalog, so it is what it is. Beyonce also sought and received permission from Paul McCartney to use the original Beatles’ backing track for her version “Blackbird.” As in, that’s really Paul on Beyonce’s version, strumming the guitar and tapping his foot. Beyonce also brought in Stevie Wonder as an uncredited harmonica player on her version of “Jolene.” The rich tapestry of music history we’re getting here, my god. And this is on top of Beyonce using Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Were Made for Walking” (with Nancy’s permission)!

Meanwhile, I’ve been thinking a lot about what Act iii might have in store for us. It will likely end up being Beyonce’s reclamation of “rock ‘n roll,” correct? A music history of Black artists’ contributions to a genre they created. I was already thinking about Jack White, who worked with Beyonce on “Don’t Hurt Yourself,” arguably one of the best songs on Lemonade and pure rage-rock. Like, I wouldn’t mind Beyonce and Jack White teaming up for a whole album, although of course we would never get that. Still, it turns out that Beyonce has been thinking about Jack a lot these days. She sent him flowers and a lovely note after she dropped Cowboy Carter. The note read: “Jack, I hope you are well. I just wanted you to know how much you inspired me on this record. Sending you my love, Beyoncé.” Jack responded on his Instagram – and yeah, ten bucks says that Jack is involved with Act iii.

Photos courtesy of Beyonce’s album/single covers, Avalon Red.

American singer-songwriter Jack White performs a secret set on The Park Stage at Glastonbury’s 50th Anniversary Festival in 2022, Worthy Farm, Pilton, England, UK on Sunday 26 June 2022.,Image: 702995216, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit agency and photographer as Justin Ng/Retna/Avalon when publishing., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon American singer-songwriter Jack White performs a secret set on The Park Stage at Glastonbury’s 50th Anniversary Festival in 2022, Worthy Farm, Pilton, England, UK on Sunday 26 June 2022.,Image: 702997544, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit agency and photographer as Justin Ng/Retna/Avalon when publishing., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon

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