Paul McCartney recently expressed his admiration for Beyoncé's cover of The Beatles' classic, Blackbird. In an Instagram post, McCartney revealed that he had given Beyoncé his blessing to include her rendition of the song on Cowboy Carter. He commended her for the 'killer version' she had produced and emphasized that he was pleased with her interpretation, which he felt reinforced the civil rights message that inspired him to write the song.
McCartney disclosed that the inspiration behind Blackbird stemmed from the Little Rock Nine, a group of Black students who faced discrimination when trying to attend an all-white school. Reflecting on the Civil Rights Movement of the '60s, McCartney shared his shock at the racial tensions that existed at the time and expressed his hope that his song, along with Beyoncé's cover, could contribute to easing racial tensions and promoting unity.
In a 2018 interview, McCartney delved into the message of hope and empowerment he intended to convey through Blackbird. He explained that the song was inspired by the struggles faced by Black individuals during the Civil Rights era, particularly in places like Alabama and Mississippi. McCartney's desire was to offer a sense of hope and encouragement to those enduring such hardships.
Furthermore, Beyoncé's inclusion of a reworked version of Dolly Parton's Jolene on Cowboy Carter also garnered appreciation. Parton expressed her excitement at having her classic song featured in Beyoncé's project, highlighting the positive reception of her work.
