16 Carriages

2024 single by Beyoncé February 2024 16 Carriages single Beyoncé Cowboy Carter Beyoncé – 16 Carriages.jpg Black-and-white photo of Beyoncé wearing a cowboy hat and a black jacket 2020 February 11, 2024 * Dezert Flower Kings Landing West Parkwood West Record Plant (Los Angeles) The Trailer (East Hampton, New York)Cowboy Carter album booklet Anon. Beyoncé 2024 Columbia Records / Parkwood Entertainment Country * 3:47 (album version) 3:54 (radio edit) * Parkwood Columbia * Beyoncé Atia Boggs Dave Hamelin Raphael Saadiq * Beyoncé Ink Dave Hamelin My House 2023 Texas Hold 'Em II Most Wanted 2024 single Visualizer hhKNjTb6U1Y "16 Carriages" "16 Carriages" is a song by American singer and songwriter Beyoncé from her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter. It serves as the album's joint lead single alongside "Texas Hold 'Em". The song was a surprise release and debuted during Super Bowl LVIII on February 11, 2024, through Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. "16 Carriages" is a country ballad about growing up and the relationship between parents and their children. Various music critics praised the song for its musical expression and Beyoncé's melodious vocals. At the 67th Annual Grammy Awards it was nominated for Best Country Solo Performance. Commercially the song debuted at number nine on Billboard'''s Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Beyoncé's second top-ten entry. Background and release Verizon, an American multinational telecommunications company, released a short Super Bowl teaser with American actor and comedian Tony Hale squeezing lemons, referencing Beyoncé's sixth studio album, Lemonade (2016).Getahun Hannah The Beyhive was right: Verizon's cryptic teasers led to a Beyoncé Super Bowl ad https://www.businessinsider.com/verizon-mysterious-super-bowl-commercial-hint-beyonce-appearance-las-vegas-2024-2 February 10, 2024 February 11, 2024 Business Insider February 11, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240211032000/https://www.businessinsider.com/verizon-mysterious-super-bowl-commercial-hint-beyonce-appearance-las-vegas-2024-2 live Another teaser commercial was released featuring Hale and the horse depicted on the cover of Beyoncé's seventh studio album, Renaissance (2022).Roeloffs Mary Whitfill Verizon Seemingly Confirms Beyoncé Starring In Super Bowl Ad—Here's What We Know https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/02/09/beyonce-super-bowl-commercial-verizon-advertisement-renaissance/?sh=6d98876341a6 February 9, 2024 February 11, 2024 Forbes February 15, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240215061249/https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryroeloffs/2024/02/09/beyonce-super-bowl-commercial-verizon-advertisement-renaissance/?sh=6d98876341a6 live Throughout the Super Bowl LVIII, a minute-long commercial was released with Tony Hale challenging Beyoncé to break "Verizon's 5G internet service."Dailey Hannah Beyoncé Confirms New Music in Verizon Super Bowl 2024 Commercial: Watch https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/beyonce-announces-new-music-verizon-super-bowl-commercial-1235605215/ February 11, 2024 February 11, 2024 Billboard February 17, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240217075854/https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/beyonce-announces-new-music-verizon-super-bowl-commercial-1235605215/ live During the commercial, Beyoncé attempts to break the internet by running a lemonade stand, releasing a jazz saxophone album, launching a "Barbie" doll collection, announcing her presidential campaign, and flying into space for a performance.Gonzales Erica Beyoncé Is Bound to Break the Internet Again With Her Super Bowl Commercial https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a46723610/beyonce-super-bowl-commercial/ February 11, 2024 February 11, 2024 Elle February 15, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240215061227/https://www.elle.com/culture/music/a46723610/beyonce-super-bowl-commercial/ live Shortly after the commercial aired, Beyoncé posted a video teaser on Instagram with an unidentified woman starting up a car and driving afar on an empty road.Denis Kyle Beyoncé Drops 2 New Songs, Unveils 'Act II' Release Date: Here's When It Arrives https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/beyonce-releases-new-songs-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-super-bowl-2024-1235605227/ February 11, 2024 February 11, 2024 Billboard February 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240218143949/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/beyonce-releases-new-songs-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-super-bowl-2024-1235605227/ live The same day, the artist's official website was updated to announce her eighth studio album, Act II. The album's two lead singles, "16 Carriages" and "Texas Hold 'Em", were surprise released for digital download and streaming.Chelosky Daniella Beyoncé Surprise Drops New Songs "Texas Hold 'Em" & "16 Carriages" Following Super Bowl Commercial https://www.stereogum.com/2251413/beyonce-act-ii-super-bowl-verizon/music/ February 11, 2024 February 11, 2024 Stereogum February 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240218144139/https://www.stereogum.com/2251413/beyonce-act-ii-super-bowl-verizon/music/ live https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/beyonce-releases-new-songs-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-super-bowl-2024-1235605227/ Beyoncé Drops 2 New Songs, Unveils Act II Release Date: Here's When It Arrives Billboard Denis Kyle February 11, 2024 February 12, 2024 February 18, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240218143949/https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/beyonce-releases-new-songs-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-super-bowl-2024-1235605227/ live The track was written when Beyoncé was 38,https://www.complex.com/music/a/backwoodsaltar/16-carriages-producer-breaks-down-renaissance-cowboy-carter "16 Carriages" Producer Breaks Down the Difference Between Working on 'Renaissance' and 'Cowboy Carter' Complex 2024-03-22 2024-03-23 Joe Price likely the summer of 2020.Trapp Malcolm Beyoncé Announces 'Renaissance Act II' Release Date And Delivers Two Country Singles https://www.rap-up.com/2024/02/12/beyonce-announces-renaissance-act-ii-release-date/ February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 Rap-Up February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212175333/https://www.rap-up.com/2024/02/12/beyonce-announces-renaissance-act-ii-release-date/ dead Partridge Ken Beyoncé Describes The Struggles Of Touring Life On New Song "16 Carriages" https://genius.com/a/beyonce-describes-the-struggles-of-touring-life-on-new-song-16-carriages February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 Genius February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212180108/https://genius.com/a/beyonce-describes-the-struggles-of-touring-life-on-new-song-16-carriages live Composition The song is a country ballad written in the key of C♯ major Mitchell Gail Beyoncé Lays Down Her Country Cards With New Singles '16 Carriages' & 'Texas Hold 'Em': Review https://www.billboard.com/music/country/beyonce-new-songs-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-review-1235605857/ February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 Billboard February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212210600/https://www.billboard.com/music/country/beyonce-new-songs-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-review-1235605857/ live McClay Caché Listen to Beyoncé's two new songs, '16 Carriages' and 'Texas Hold 'Em' https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/02/11/listen-to-beyonce-new-singles-16-carriages-and-texas-hold-em/72565942007/ February 11, 2024 February 12, 2024 USA Today February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212133409/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/02/11/listen-to-beyonce-new-singles-16-carriages-and-texas-hold-em/72565942007/ live with percussion instrument and steel pulse; thematically the lyric provides reflection about "growing-up", linked to the evolving relationship between parents and their children.Willman Chris Beyoncé Shows Her Country Music Cards With 'Texas Hold 'Em' and '16 Carriages': Song Review https://variety.com/2024/music/reviews/beyonce-song-review-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-country-1235907579/ February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 Variety February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212133414/https://variety.com/2024/music/reviews/beyonce-song-review-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-country-1235907579/ live Sisario Ben Ben Sisario Beyoncé Announces New Album in Super Bowl Commercial https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/11/arts/music/beyonce-super-bowl-act-ii-country-album.html February 11, 2024 February 11, 2024 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212033049/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/11/arts/music/beyonce-super-bowl-act-ii-country-album.html/ limited live The song was co-produced by Beyoncé Knowles, alongside Atia Boggs and Dave Hamelin; it was co-written by Knowles, Boggs, Hamelin, and Raphael Saadiq.Samuels Keithan February 11, 2024 Beyoncé Drops Two New Songs: 'Texas Hold Em' and '16 Carriages' https://ratedrnb.com/2024/02/beyonce-drops-two-new-songs-texas-hold-em-and-16-carriages/ February 11, 2024 Rated R&B February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212133415/https://ratedrnb.com/2024/02/beyonce-drops-two-new-songs-texas-hold-em-and-16-carriages/ live Corcoran Nina Beyoncé Announces New Album Act II, Shares Two New Songs: Listen https://pitchfork.com/news/beyonce-announces-act-ii-for-march-29/ February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 Pitchfork February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212022554/https://pitchfork.com/news/beyonce-announces-act-ii-for-march-29/ live Robert Randolph and Justin Schipper were credited as the players of the steel guitar.Wood Mikael Beyoncé announces her new album is on the way: Hear two songs now https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-02-11/beyonce-new-album-act-ii-texas-hold-em-16-carriages February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 Los Angeles Times en February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212040056/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/music/story/2024-02-11/beyonce-new-album-act-ii-texas-hold-em-16-carriages live Tamburin Adam Some of Beyoncé's country collaborators have Nashville ties https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/02/13/beyonce-country-album-songs-nashville February 12, 2024 February 14, 2024 Axios February 14, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240214141636/https://www.axios.com/local/nashville/2024/02/13/beyonce-country-album-songs-nashville live Beyoncé wore a hat designed by Gladys Tamez, named "Houston" for her digital cover art.Houston https://gladystamez.com/products/taurus February 14, 2024 Gladys Tamez Millinery en February 14, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240214054631/https://gladystamez.com/products/taurus live In an interview for Rolling Stone, Randolph explained the recording session in Los Angeles with Beyoncé, Rhiannon Giddens, Saadiq and Khirye Tyler:When we did the first session, [...] Beyoncé already had an idea of what she wanted to do. She wanted to do something with some playing, with some country fire. [...] It's great for her to go this route. In country music for a longest time, it almost seemed like it was supposed to be out of left field when a Black artist says, 'Hey, I'm going to do a country record.' Robert Randolph in an interview with Rolling Stone about "16 Carriages" composition.Browne David February 13, 2024 Beyoncé Wanted Some 'Country Fire.' She Knew Just Who to Call https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/beyonce-country-songs-players-robert-randolph-rhiannon-giddens-1234967138/ February 14, 2024 Rolling Stone February 13, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240213230330/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/beyonce-country-songs-players-robert-randolph-rhiannon-giddens-1234967138/ live Critical reception "16 Carriages" received widespread acclaim from music critics.Attributed to Clash Magazine Shahzaib Hussain,Hussain Shahzaib Beyoncé - 16 Carriages https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/beyonce-16-carriages/ February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 Clash Magazine February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212224856/https://www.clashmusic.com/reviews/beyonce-16-carriages/ live Consequence Mary Siroky,Siroky Mary Beyoncé's Country Era Starts Strong with Two Songs: Review https://consequence.net/2024/02/beyonce-country-songs-review-act-ii/ February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 Consequence February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212195249/https://consequence.net/2024/02/beyonce-country-songs-review-act-ii/ live Vulture Craig Jenkins,Jenkins Craig Beyoncé's New Country Songs Are Plain Ol' Fun https://www.vulture.com/article/beyonce-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-review.html February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 Vulture en February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212210547/https://www.vulture.com/article/beyonce-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-review.html live and The Times Will Hodgkinson.Hodgkinson Will Will Hodgkinson Beyoncé: Texas Hold 'Em/16 Carriages review — the star goes country https://www.thetimes.com/culture/music/article/beyonce-new-singles-review-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-country-music-f0smnrjr3 February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 The Times 0140-0460 February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212225801/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/beyonce-new-singles-review-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-country-music-f0smnrjr3 live Chris Willman of Variety stated that the song is lyrically associable with Beyoncé's "Daddy Lessons" song from her sixth studio album, Lemonade (2016), for its reflective "overt growing-up narrative" and for exploring "daddy issues", even if the song is "mostly just about having become a workhorse that got rode too hard before she had a chance to be a teenager". Gail Mitchell of Billboard wrote that the song is "a vulnerable yet empowering autobiographical ballad" with "melodious vocals". Talking about the title, Mitchell suggested that the number "16" could refer to the age when Beyoncé signed with Columbia as a Destiny's Child member. In a four-out-of-five review, Ben Beaumont-Thomas of The Guardian described the song as a Halo'-proportioned" country song with "blues and gospel-infused", in which Beyoncé is singing about "the graft of her career since her mid-teens". The writer stressed that it could "recalls the [Black] work song" for "claiming country as part of Black musical expression".Beaumont-Thomas Ben Beyoncé: Texas Hold 'Em and 16 Carriages review – country gets brilliantly Beyoncéfied https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/feb/12/beyonce-texas-hold-em-and-16-carriages-review-country-gets-brilliantly-beyoncefied February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 The Guardian 0261-3077 February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212160128/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/feb/12/beyonce-texas-hold-em-and-16-carriages-review-country-gets-brilliantly-beyoncefied live Ben Sisario of The New York Times described the song as "an epic ballad" with the guitars swelling between the "organ-loud percussion" as the artist sings about losing innocence "at a young age." Maria Sherman of The San Diego Union-Tribune described the song as "a soulful slow-burn" in which Beyoncé sings "an ode to hard work and legacy".Sherman Maria Beyoncé drops new songs 'Texas Hold 'Em' and '16 Carriages.' New music 'Act II' will arrive in March https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/national/story/2024-02-11/beyonce-says-new-music-act-ii-will-drop-in-march live February 12, 2024 February 12, 2024 The San Diego Union Tribune February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212030825/https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/national/story/2024-02-11/beyonce-says-new-music-act-ii-will-drop-in-march In a less positive review, Chris Richards of The Washington Post found that "16 Carriages" and "Texas Hold 'Em" were released as a pair "because neither could stand on its own" and had less impact than the previous lead singles "Formation" or "Break My Soul". The writer wrote that both the songs "feel dull, dry, unimaginative, unnecessary, unconfident and uncool."Richards Chris Beyoncé goes country? Might be a wrong turn. https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2024/02/13/beyonce-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-country-review/ February 13, 2024 February 13, 2024 The Washington Post February 13, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240213174310/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2024/02/13/beyonce-texas-hold-em-16-carriages-country-review/ live Commercial performance "16 Carriages" debuted at number nine on Billboards Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Beyoncé second top-ten entry appearing simultaneously on the chart with "Texas Hold 'Em", which debuted at one.Unterberger Andrew Denis Kyle Lipshutz Jason February 22, 2024 Beyoncé's New Era Is Giving Other Black Women in Country a Big Boost, Too https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/beyonce-black-female-country-artists-streams-1235612581/ February 23, 2024 Billboard February 23, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240223011710/https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/beyonce-black-female-country-artists-streams-1235612581/ live Live performances 2024 NFL Halftime show Beyoncé 2024 NFL Halftime Show On December 25, 2024, Beyoncé debuted "16 Carriages" live as the opening song of her 2024 NFL Halftime Show set list.McClay Caché December 25, 2024 Beyoncé Bowl: See the setlist of the Ravens-Texans game halftime performance on Christmas https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/12/25/beyonce-bowl-set-list-christmas/77216004007/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20241226061936/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/12/25/beyonce-bowl-set-list-christmas/77216004007/ December 26, 2024 December 26, 2024 USA Today en-US Cowboy Carter Tour Cowboy Carter Tour Beyoncé included "16 Carriages" as part of the Cowboy Carter Tour, singing on a flying car across the audience every show.Horowitz Steven J. 2025-04-29 Beyoncé Set List: Every Song Played on 'Cowboy Carter' Tour Opener in Los Angeles County https://variety.com/2025/music/news/beyonce-set-list-every-song-played-cowboy-carter-tour-1236380629/ 2025-04-29 Variety en-US It was subsequently replaced with a Golden Mechanical Horse beginning with the Atlanta show after the car malfunctioned during a tour stop in Houston. Accolades + Awards and nominations Organization Year Category Result Ref. Reference People's Choice Country Awards 2024 The Female Song of 2024 Grein Paul August 14, 2024 Zach Bryan, Beyoncé & More Lead 2024 People's Choice Country Awards Nominations: Full List https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-peoples-choice-country-awards-nominations-list-zach-bryan-beyonce-1235752506/ August 14, 2024 Billboard The Storyteller Song of 2024 NAACP Image Awards 2025Outstanding Soul/R&B SongGrein Paul January 7, 2025 GloRilla, Kendrick Lamar, Doechii & More Score 2025 NAACP Image Awards Nominations https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2025-naacp-image-awards-nominations-glorilla-kendrick-lamar-doechii-1235870487/ January 7, 2025 Billboard Grammy Awards 2025 Best Country Solo Performance Atkinson Katie November 8, 2024 Grammy Nominations 2025: See Full List of Nominees https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/grammy-nominations-2025-full-list-1235823165/ live Billboard https://web.archive.org/web/20241108164559/https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/grammy-nominations-2025-full-list-1235823165/ November 8, 2024 November 9, 2024 Personnel and creditsPerformersVocals by BeyoncéMusiciansAtia "INK" Boggs – guitars Lemar Carter – drums Dave Hamelin – piano, organ, synths, guitars Robert Randolph – steel guitar Justin Schipper – steel guitar Ryan Svendsen – trumpet Justus West – guitars Gavin Williams – organTechnical credits''' Beyoncé – production, vocal production Atia "INK" Boggs – production Matheus Braz – engineering assistance Dave Hamelin – production, recording engineering Hotae Alexander Jang – recording engineering Colin Leonard – mastering engineering Andrea Roberts – Pro Tools engineering Raphael Saadiq – additional production Stuart White – additional production, Beyoncé vocal recording, mixing engineering Charts Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance Chart (2024) Peakposition Australia (ARIA)The ARIA Report: Week Commencing 8 April 2024 The ARIA Report Australian Recording Industry Association 1779 4 April 8, 2024 85Canada 56 Beyonce true April 9, 2024 France (SNEP)Top Singles for the week of April 5 https://snepmusique.com/les-tops/le-top-de-la-semaine/top-albums/ 2024-04-08 SNEP fr-FR 128Billboardglobal200 40 Beyonce true April 9, 2024 Ireland (IRMA)http://irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Singles IRMA – Irish Charts Irish Recorded Music Association March 9, 2024 August 22, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170822180652/http://www.irma.ie/index.cfm?page=irish-charts&chart=Singles live 57 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)https://aotearoamusiccharts.co.nz/archive/hot-singles/2024-02-16 NZ Hot Singles Chart Recorded Music NZ February 19, 2024 February 16, 2024 February 16, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240216052145/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5760 live 9Portugal 89 Beyoncé 16 Carriages true April 18, 2024 Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan)https://www.sverigetopplistan.se/chart/215?dspy=2024&dspp=14 Veckolista Heatseeker, vecka 14 Sverigetopplistan April 5, 2024 7UK 44 20240216 true February 16, 2024Billboardhot100 38 Beyonce true February 21, 2024Billboardcountrysongs 9 Beyonce true February 21, 2024 Year-end charts + 2024 year-end chart performance Chart (2024) Position US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2024/hot-country-songs Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2024 Billboard December 15, 2024 86 Certifications Brazil Beyoncé 16 Carriages Platinum single 2024 2025 November 26, 2025 single United States Beyoncé 16 Carriages Gold 2024 2024 December 17, 2024 true yes yes Release history + Release dates and formats Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref. Reference Various February 11, 2024 Digital download streaming Parkwood Columbia Treisman Rachel Beyoncé releases two new songs during the Super Bowl, teasing more to come https://www.npr.org/2024/02/11/1230788187/beyonce-new-music-texas-hold-em February 11, 2024 February 11, 2024 National Public Radio February 12, 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240212133530/https://www.npr.org/2024/02/11/1230788187/beyonce-new-music-texas-hold-em live Footnotes References Category:2024 songs Category:2024 singles Category:2020s ballads Category:American country music songs Category:Beyoncé songs Category:Columbia Records singles Category:Country ballads Category:Song recordings produced by Beyoncé Category:Songs about parenthood Category:Songs written by Atia Boggs Category:Songs written by Beyoncé Category:Songs written by Raphael Saadiq