‘Killer version’: The Beatles' Paul McCartney praises Beyonce's cover of his ‘Blackbird’ song, urges people to 'check it out'

Paul McCartney said it would be great if his and Beyonce's version of 'Blackbird' could contribute to reducing racial tension
UPDATED APR 4, 2024
Paul McCartney praised Beyonce for a 'magnificent' version of his 'Blackbird' song (Getty Images)
Paul McCartney praised Beyonce for a 'magnificent' version of his 'Blackbird' song (Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Paul McCartney, the original songwriter of The Beatles’ single 'Blackbird', has expressed his admiration for Beyonce’s cover of his song.

The 81-year-old British musician took to Instagram to share his thoughts on the rendition, revealing that Beyonce had personally thanked him for allowing her to cover his song.

Paul McCartney says Beyonce's version of 'Blackbird' is 'magnificent'

Paul McCartney began, “I am so happy with @beyonce’s version of my song ‘Blackbird',” he wrote in his Instagram post.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Paul McCartney (@paulmccartney)


 

“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," the 'Maybe I’m Amazed' singer said.

"I think Beyoncé has done a fab version and would urge anyone who has not heard it yet to check it out. You are going to love it!" McCartney added.



 

Paul McCartney's conversation with Beyonce

McCartney also shared details of a FaceTime conversation he had with Beyonce after she recorded her cover.

“I spoke to her on FaceTime, and she thanked me for writing it and letting her do it,” he said.

“I told her the pleasure was all mine, and I thought she had done a killer version of the song," the 'Yesterday' singer added.

The 'Here Comes the Sun' artist also recalled his experiences witnessing the civil rights movement in the 1960s and the racism prevalent in America, particularly in the South.

“When I saw the footage on the television in the early ’60s of the black girls being turned away from school, I found it shocking, and I can’t believe that still in these days there are places where this kind of thing is happening right now,” McCartney added.



 

Paul McCartney says anything that eases race makes him proud 

McCartney said if his and Beyonce's version of the song could contribute to reducing racial tension, it would be "a great thing."

“Anything my song and Beyoncé’s fabulous version can do to ease racial tension would be a great thing and makes me very proud," McCartney wrote further.

Beyonce released her country-themed album, 'Cowboy Carter', on March 29, which includes multiple duets with other artists, such as Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus.

Despite the message that Beyonce explained her album conveys, she has faced backlash for the new music. Azealia Banks previously called the album “little Bey on the prairie” in a social media rant.



 

During Beyonce’s iHeartRadio Music Awards acceptance speech for the Innovator Award, she seemingly referred to the criticism she’s faced over her new music.

“Being an innovator is seeing what everyone believes is impossible,” she said according to Hollywood Life. “Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength," she added. 

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