I had an argument today that got me very (and I mean VERY) heated. Now, I do get kind of angry, kind of fast but this was bad. I was hangry and fresh off a stressful shift. The argument was about who would make a better wife to Beyonce. I hold this close to me. Ever since I attended the Renaissance Tour back in my sophomore year of high school, I’ve become the biggest fan of hers, to the point where I can recognize any of her songs in only a couple of seconds.
I’m Connie, I love Beyonce, and This is my Story.
Put yourself in my shoes for a second, an insecure 15 year old in a relationship with a dumb, hormonal teenage boy and an extremely malleable mind. Low and behold, a confident Virgo singing about being ‘that girl’. I was forever changed.
Renaissance is one act in Beyonce’s 3 part project that focuses on freedom and innovation, creation without judgement. This album was focused on the intersection between blackness and homosexuality, as well as an homage to her Guncle Jonny. It includes house, dance, disco, and pop genres and was the gateway to losing my Bey-ginity.
The songs on Renaissance helped me gain confidence in scary moments. The opening song I’m That Girl was even my senior quote. “It’s not the diamonds, It’s not the pearls, I’m that girl.” This was scandalous of me because I was terrified to put such a cocky quote. I was scared of kids from my high school making fun of me for having the audacity to have confidence. Then I remembered I don’t care. Just kidding, I cared a lot. I just listened to the song and remembered it didn’t matter what anyone thought of me, as long as I thought of me as ‘that girl’.
Beyonce’s Discography in my Eyes
This newfound love led me to listen to all of Beyonce’s song. To shorten things up, here’s a list of the albums from favorite to least favorite (least favorite does NOT mean I don’t like the album, that’d be crazy. They’re ranked on how much they effect me in my young age.)
- Lemonade: revolutionary
- Renaissance
- Bday
- Cowboy Carter
- Beyonce
- 4
- Dangerously In Love
- I Am Sasha Fierce
hm: Her Lion King album with Disney. A lot of people didn’t like it, but I thoroughly enjoyed her light to traditional African music. I think people didn’t like it for the same reason they didn’t like Cowboy Carter: racism.
Cowboy Carter is More Than Just ‘Texas Hold ‘Em’
Cowboy Carter is another interesting album, the second act in Beyonce’s project. It’s comparable to Lemonade in certain aspects as it was written right after. This is very obvious when you listen to both the albums. Lemonade has a country song and Cowboy Carter has Jolene.
I love discussing this album because it’s so innovative. It is true country music because it was created by a black woman. Country was created by a mix of black slave hymns, traditional Native American music, and music from Mexican migrants. I.e. NOT WHITE AMERICANS. It’s a colonized music form.
I have dealt with Beyonce-hating racists in the flesh, ranging from old white alcoholic men and passive aggressive liberal white women. The facts they refuse to listen to is the impact Cowboy Carter made. Cowboy Carter boosted careers for many black country artists (including Shaboozey) and awareness on the true history of country music. That’s what I love about it. It’s not just creative, it’s political. I love history and this album has so many historical easter eggs, it’s impossible to get bored of it.
My favorite song on this album is by far “AMERIICAN REQUIEM” The song contains a lyric that stumped me for sooo long. “For things to stay the same, they have to change again.” But one night, it clicked and easily became my favorite Beyonce lyric of all time. “For things to stay the same…” For the United States to keep their standards, for example “freedom for all,” “…they have to change again.” It needs to change the context of who “all” is. This is followed by the lyrics “You change your name but not the ways you play pretend.” You can connect the dots here.
This applies to many Constitutional rights nowadays. The album and all the American flags may come off as patriotic to white America, but it’s really a big “fuck you.” She’s saying, the United States is a business built by black people. It’s a callout to colonialism, white-washing, gentrification, and cultural appropriation.
Fin
Safe to say I love Beyonce. She changed my life and the way I view the world. I am very excited for the third act of her project to release (hopefully this year). I’m Connie, and that is my why.
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