American singer Beyoncé has publicly thanked the McCartney family for their connection to the iconic Beatles song “Blackbird.”
While on her international “Cowboy Carter” tour, where she performs a cover of the 1968 track from her album of the same name, Beyoncé took to Instagram on Monday after her London shows to honour Paul McCartney.
She expressed gratitude for him “writing one of the best songs ever made,” adding, “Every time I sing it, I feel so honoured. And it is a full circle moment to wear your beautiful daughter’s design,” referring to fashion designer Stella McCartney.
Beyoncé shared photos of her Stella McCartney-designed tour outfit, which included a white t-shirt adorned with two black birds and rhinestone fringe chaps.
Paul McCartney had previously lauded Beyoncé’s rendition of his song, which appears as “Blackbiird” on “Cowboy Carter” and features four emerging Black female country artists: Tiera Kennedy, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, and Reyna Roberts.
Last year on his Instagram, McCartney wrote, “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.” He urged others to listen to it.
McCartney originally penned “Blackbird” during the 1960s civil rights movement in the United States, drawing inspiration from the Little Rock Nine—a group of Black students who were pioneers in desegregating schools in Arkansas in the late 1950s.
He recalled being “shocked” by television footage of Black girls being turned away from school. McCartney concluded that “Anything my song and Beyoncé’s fabulous version can do to ease racial tension would be a great thing and makes me very proud.”
