Beyoncé has dominated the musical discourse this week, as fans absorb and discuss COWBOY CARTER, her hotly anticipated country album that might not be a country album—though attempting to classify it might be contrary to the spirit of the whole thing. In any event, Bey is back today with “TEXAS HOLD ’EM (PONY UP REMIX),” an update of one of the more country-sounding songs on the LP, “TEXAS HOLD ’EM,” which topped both the Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Country Songs chart.
The remix sounds a lot like the original until you get to the 1:33 mark. In a new breakdown section, Beyoncé declares, “Now I’ma need all my cowboys to the dance floor,” but it’s not a country line dance she has in mind. As the song transitions into an alternate second verse, the vibe shifts from country to New Orleans bounce, another genre Bey has dabbled in before.
The original “TEXAS HOLD ’EM” is about drinking whiskey during a tornado and a heatwave—weather events that could be symbols for any number of calamities facing America at the moment—and the escapist mood persists in the new lyrics. Here’s Beyoncé in the opening lines, looking to tie one on.
Woke up this morning, my heart keeps racing (Woo)
Straight to the bottom, we all need salvation (Come take it to the floor now, ooh)
Need you to end this drought, take me downtown
Gon’ leave the truck, whiskey, baby
Let’s get weekend (Weekend) wasted
Despite the bounce infusion, Beyoncé sticks with the classic country imagery.
Hats up to you, but it’s boots on the ground
Sippin’ on a Tennessee, spinnin’ me around
I just see you with a whiskey
I’m drinking straight, baby, all day
She ends with a happy-drunk fantasy of pouring whiskeys for everyone within the city limits.
Baby, I just might
Throw a party for the whole damn town
Chasin’ my sins away with brown, oh, oh, brown, oh, oh
I’ma need another round, round, round, round
One for me, one for my lover
“TEXAS HOLD ’EM (PONY UP REMIX)” arrived alongside a new website that fans believe is teasing an upcoming tour.
As you await further info, you can read all the lyrics to “TEXAS HOLD ’EM (PONY UP REMIX)” on Genius now.
