- Music
- 04 Apr 24
Music legend Paul McCartney's acoustic guitar from the original Beatles 1968 recording features in Beyoncé's new album
Beyoncé has gotten permission from Paul McCartney to use The Beatles' 'Blackbird' for her latest album, Cowboy Carter. The rock legend gave his blessing for the instrumental to be used directly from the original master recording of the song released by The Beatles in 1968.
A representative for Paul McCartney told Variety that Beyoncé's cover uses McCartney's acoustic guitar and foot tapping from the original track, recorded on June 11, 1968. Despite McCartney being credited as playing guitar and producing the song on Cowboy Carter, there is no explicit mention in the credits that these elements were borrowed from the 56-year-old original recording.
McCartney originally composed and recorded 'Blackbird' for The Beatles' self-titled double LP, commonly referred to as The White Album.
Listen to 'Blackbird (Remastered 2009)' below:
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Beyoncé's version, titled 'Blackbiird' to align with the album's Act II theme, adds additional vocal harmonies by Tanner Adell, Tiera Kennedy, Reyna Roberts, and Brittney Spencer. Beyoncé's rendition introduces new elements such as strings and a violin and bass part credited to Khirye Tyler, it retains McCartney's guitar and foot-tapping.
This isn't the first instance of McCartney allowing the use of 'Blackbird' tracks in another artist's recording. Previously, Rachel Fuller incorporated the original Beatles track into a recording performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and Chamber Choir of London with McCartney's permission.
Listen to 'BLACKBIIRD' below: