Super Bowl LVIII was utterly heartbreaking for 49ers fans but pretty great for the BeyHive, as Beyoncé appeared in a Verizon commercial about “breaking the internet,” then announced a new album, Act II, and dropped a pair of new songs, “TEXAS HOLD ’EM” and “16 CARRIAGES.” Both lean heavily into country music, and the latter—which is doing slightly better out of the gates in terms of Genius pageviews—reads like a fairly personal song about the sacrifices that come with megastardom.
Produced by Beyoncé, Dave Hamelin, and Ink (all three of whom share writing credit with Raphael Saadiq), “16 CARRIAGES” begins with the bittersweet image of Bey watching a fleet of trucks drive away. She could be describing life on the road—a lonesome existence that’s been the subject of many great country songs. (The reference to “sixteen carriages” also evokes Junior Parker’s 1953 blues classic “Mystery Train,” which describes a train “sixteen coaches long.”)
Sixteen carriages driving away
While I watch them ride with my dreams away
To the summer sunset on a holy night
On a long back road, all the tears I fight
In the first verse, Beyoncé seemingly describes her experiences as a teenager in Destiny’s Child, a group managed by her father.
At 15, the innocence was gone astray
Had to leave my home at an early age
I saw Mama praying, I saw Daddy grind
All my tender problems, had to leave behind
The pre-chorus takes us back to the present-day tour bus, where Beyoncé is feeling reflective and exhausted but resilient all the same. The “underpaid” thing might not really apply to her life, at least not these days, but it’s easy to understand how someone in her position—especially a mother—can feel the strain.
It’s been umpteen summers, and I’m not in my bed
On the back of the bus and a bunk with the band
Going so hard, gotta choose myself
Underpaid and overwhelmed
I might cook, clean, but still won’t fold
In the second verse, Beyoncé again touches on the struggles of pursuing an artistic life. In the early days, at least, the odds are going to be stacked against you.
Sixteen dollars, workin’ all day
Ain’t got time to waste, I got art to make
I got love to create on this holy night
They won’t dim my light, all these years I fight
The second time through the pre-chorus, Beyoncé gets even more personal, opening up about being a mom on the road. Given the reference to “38 summers,” it’s possible she wrote the song a few years ago, as she’s now 42 years old.
It’s been 38 summers, and I’m not in my bed
On the back of the bus and a bunk with the band
Goin’ so hard, now I miss my kids
In the bridge, Beyoncé alludes to some of her father’s alleged indiscretions and vows to make herself into the icon she’s long since become.
At 15, the innocence was gone astray
Had to take care of home at an early age
I saw Mama cryin’, I saw Daddy lyin’
Had to sacrifice and leave my fears behind
The legacy, if it’s the last thing I do
You’ll remember me ’cause we got somethin’ to prove
You can read all the lyrics to “16 CARRIAGES” on Genius now.
