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Beyoncé recorded her own version of The Beatles classic "Blackbird" for her new country-inspired album COWBOY CARTER, and Paul McCartney took to social media on Thursday (April 4) to praise the "magnificent" cover.
"I am so happy with @beyonce’s version of my song ‘Blackbird’. 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. 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!" he wrote in a lengthy statement on Instagram. "I spoke to her on FaceTime and she thanked me for writing it and letting her do it. I told her the pleasure was all mine and I thought she had done a killer version of the song."
"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. "Anything my song and Beyoncé’s fabulous version can do to ease racial tension would be a great thing and makes me very proud."
See the thoughtful post below.
McCartney isn't the only rock icon to speak highly of Beyoncé's new album. Jack White also recently shared a photo of flowers the singer sent him, thanking him for inspiring her on the record.
"What a sweet gesture to receive here in Nashville this morning from the talented and gracious @beyonce celebrating her new Cowboy Carter album," he captioned the post. "Much love and respect to you Madam, and thank you kindly. Keep making beautiful and powerful music, nobody sings like you."
Beyoncé was recently honored at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards with the Innovator Award, presented by Stevie Wonder, where she was recognized for her impact on music and culture throughout her vast career.
"Being an innovator is seeing what everyone believes is impossible. Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength," she said in her acceptance speech, adding, "So to all the record labels, every radio station, every award show, my hope is that we are more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions."