Beyoncé is doing Country her way, and that means remixing a Dolly Parton classic, weaving in hip-hop influences, and even singing some opera. In the track “Daughter” on her new Cowboy Carter album, she includes the famous Italian aria “Caro Mio Ben.” She once again shows off her range as her voice floats above the track.
The touch of opera makes sense for the melodramatic and theatrical song. The lyrics in the verses tell a violent story, with lines like, “Now I ripped your dress and you’re all black and blue” and “How long can he hold his breath / Before his death?” Beyoncé even seems to include a “Daddy Lessons” reference with the lyric, “If you cross me, I’m just like my father.”
Ahead of dropping the album, Beyoncé wrote about her experience dabbling with the country genre in an Instagram post. “This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed… And it was very clear that I wasn’t. But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of country music and studied our rich musical archive,” she wrote. “It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.
“The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work. I have a few surprises on the album, and have collaborated with some brilliant artists who I deeply respect. I hope that you can hear my heart and soul, and all the love and passion that I poured into every detail and every sound.”
Read the lyrics to “Daughter” below courtesy of Genius.
[Verse 1]
Your body laid out on these filthy floors
Your bloodstains on my custom coutures
Bathroom attendant let me right in
She was a big fan
I really tried to stay cool
But your arrogance disturbed my solitude
Now I ripped your dress and you’re all black and blue
Look what you made me do[Refrain]
They keep sayin’ that I ain’t nothin’ like my father
But I’m the furthest thing from choir boys and altars
If you cross me, I’m just like my father
I am colder than Titanic water[Chorus]
Help me, Lord, from these fantasies in my head
They ain’t ever been safe ones
I don’t fellowship with these fakе ones
So let’s travel to whitе chapels and sing hymns
Hold rosaries, and sing in stained glass symphonies
Cleanse me, Holy Trinity, from this marijuana smoke smell in my hair[Verse 2]
I sashayed my dress
Did my best impression of a damsel in distress
This alcohol and smell of regret
Allured my catch
Outfit too small to hide my scars
Feelin’ bottled up like bottle service broads
How long can he hold his breath
Before his death?[Bridge]
Caro mio ben
Credimi almen
Senza di te
Languisce il cor
Il tuo fedel
Sospira ognor
Cessa, crudel
Tanto rigor
Ooh, ooh[Chorus]
Help me, Lord, from these fantasies in my head
They ain’t ever been safe ones
I don’t fellowship with these fake ones
So let’s travel to white chapels and sing hymns
Hold rosaries, sing in stained glass symphonies
Cleanse me, Holy Trinity, from this marijuana smoke smell in my hair[Outro]
Say I’m nothin’ like my father
But I’m the furthest thing from choir boys and altars
Double cross me, I’m just like my father
I am colder than Titanic water