Beyoncé has ruffled plenty of feathers and sparked countless debates since the release of her number one song “Texas Hold ‘Em“.
Not the first time the singer has experimented with the genre (‘Daddy Lessons’ from 2016’s ‘Lemonade’ stands out), Beyoncé has announced her ‘Cowboy Carter’, the upcoming second act of her ‘Renaissance’ releases, will be a Country record. She also recently spoke out about not feeling welcome in the genre, likely referring to the backlash her 2016 CMA Awards performance with The Chicks received.
“Texas Hold ‘Em”, and to a lesser degree ’16 Carriages’, has stoked fiery debate online with Country purists refusing to call the song Country and pop fans excited about the singer’s new direction. Whether or not it should be classified as Country will be debated for a long time to come but she’s far from the first pop artist to ‘go Country’.
We’ve selected five examples from across the decades that have been met with varying degrees of success…
1. Kylie Minogue
In 2018 the Princess of Pop Kylie Minogue released a Country-pop record by the name of ‘Golden‘. The album’s first single ‘Dancing’ leaned into every Country music trope you’ve ever seen from line-dancing to cowboy boots, but it’s earned a place in the star’s glittering back catalogue. The rest of the album was Country-lite, if Country at all, and the singer’s fans frequently argue over whether it’s her best or worst record.
2. Jessica Simpson
Pop starlet Jessica Simpson made a left turn into Country after years of being known as a pop vocal powerhouse. Her 2008 album ‘Do You Know’, which followed the success of her remake of Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walkin'”, saw her teaming up with Nashville producers and songwriters. Dolly Parton featured on the title track but not even that could help the project pick up steam. Despite trying to immerse herself in Nashville, audiences just couldn’t accept her as a Country singer.
3. Lionel Richie
Soul sensation Lionel Richie paired up with the hottest talents in Country music for 2012 album ‘Tuskegee’. From Blake Shelton to Shania Twain and even Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers, Richie recorded with the best of classic and contemporary Country to re-record his own songs as Country records. The end result was very mixed and it received a mixed critical reception. Commercially the album sold fairly well, reaching Platinum in the US and Gold in the UK.
4. Ray Charles
Known for his rhythm and blues roots, vocalist and pianist Ray Charles re-recorded Country and folk standards as R&B, pop and jazz songs for his 1962 album ‘Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music’. The album was a huge success, arriving in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement in the US, and it’s considered one of his best records. Perhaps this is how you pay your respects to the Country music genre?
5. Lady Gaga
Always a chameleon, no one batted any eye lid when Lady Gaga leaned into Country and Americana for the soundtrack to ‘A Star Is Born‘. She’s already started experimenting in the genre with 2016’s ‘Joanne’ but ‘A Star Is Born’ put her back on the map as a musical force to be reckoned with. ‘Shallow’ is a modern classic and there are plenty of other highlights on the record including ‘Always Remember Us This Way’ and “I’ll Never Love Again”. Perhaps because Gaga is known for her prowess as a singer and a songwriter, she earned respect from her past output?
Beyoncé releases her new album ‘Renaissance Act II: Cowboy Carter’ on 29th March 2024.
