Beyoncé

Lyrics

[Intro]
Yee-haw
Ooh
Texas, Texas (Ooh) Texas

[Verse 1]
Came into this world, daddy's little girl
And Daddy made a soldier out of me (Ooh)
Daddy made me dance and Daddy held my hand (Ooh)
And Daddy liked his whiskey with his tea

[Pre-Chorus 1]
And we rode motorcycles
Blackjack, classic vinyl
Tough girl is what I had to be
He said, "Take care of your mother
Watch out for your sister"
And oh, that's when he gave to me

[Chorus]
With his gun and his head held high, he told me not to cry
Oh, my daddy said shoot
Oh, my daddy said shoot
With his right hand on his rifle, he swore it on the bible
My daddy said shoot
Oh, my daddy said shoot
He held me in his arms and he taught me to be strong
He told me when he's gone, "Here's what you do
When trouble comes in town and men like me come around"
Oh, my daddy said shoot
Oh, my daddy said shoot
[Post-Chorus]
Ooh
Yee, woo
Ooh
Yee-haw (Woo)

[Verse 2]
Daddy made me fight, it wasn't always right
But he said, "Girl, it's your second amendment" (Ooh)
He always played it cool, but Daddy was no fool
And right before he died, he said, "Remember..."

[Pre-Chorus 2]
He said, "Take care of your mother
Watch out for your sister"
That's when Daddy looked at me

[Chorus]
With his gun, with his head held high, he told me not to cry
Oh, my daddy said shoot
Oh, my daddy said shoot
With his right hand on his rifle, he swore it on the bible
My daddy said shoot (Yee)
Oh, my daddy said shoot (Yee-haw)
'Cause he held me in his arms and he taught me to be strong
And he told me when he's gone, "Here's what you do
When trouble comes in town and men like me come around"
Oh, my daddy said shoot
Oh, my daddy said shoot (Woo)
[Post-Chorus]
Ooh (Woo)
Ooh (Woo)
Ooh (Yee)
Ooh (Yee-haw)

[Outro: Beyoncé & Blue Ivy Carter]
My daddy warned me about men like you
He said, "Baby girl, he's playing you, he's playing you" (Ooh)
My daddy warned me about men like you
He said, "Baby girl, he's playing you, he's playing you (Ooh)
'Cause when trouble comes in town and men like me come around"
Oh, my daddy said shoot (Yee)
Oh, my daddy said shoot (Yee-haw)
"'Cause when trouble comes to town and men like me come around"
Oh, my daddy said shoot
Oh, my daddy said shoot
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Beyoncé’s music is known for its catchy beats and empowering lyrics, but with her song “Daddy Lessons,” she takes a different direction. “Daddy Lessons” is a country-inspired tune that talks about Beyoncé’s childhood and the lessons she learned from her father, Mathew Knowles.

About Daddy Lessons

“Daddy Lessons” is a heartfelt song that shows a very personal side of Beyoncé. The lyrics of the song are a reflection on her childhood in Texas and the influences of her father. Mathew Knowles, Beyoncé’s father, has always been a big of Beyoncé’s career, having managed her from when she was in the group Girls Tyme to Destiny’s Child, and even her early solo career. Unfortunately, their professional relationship ended when Beyoncé fired him as her manager in March 2011. The reason for this decision was initially unclear, but it was later revealed that Mathew had been unfaithful to Beyoncé’s mother with another woman.

Despite the fallout between Beyoncé and her father, “Daddy Lessons” is a testament to the love and respect she still has for him. The song has resonated with many people who also have had complicated relationships with their fathers, making it a deeply relatable track.

The song is also significant because it is the first time Beyoncé has explored country music. The lyrics paint a picture of a small Texas town, and the instrumentation is a mix of country, blues, and pop. It’s a departure from Beyoncé's usual sound, showing that she is not afraid to experiment with different genres.

The idea for the song came from Kevin Cossom, who co-wrote the song with Wynter Gordon and Alex Delicata. They created the demo at Cossom's condo in Miami. Wynter, who initially started the song, knew that it was a hit and wanted to propose it to Beyoncé. The group was unaware whether the song would make it to the album, but they knew it was something special when they heard it.

The video clip for “Daddy Lessons” features footage from Beyoncé’s childhood featuring her playing with her father. It also reveals clips of Blue Ivy, Beyoncé’s daughter, emphasizing the generational impact of Mathew’s influence on his family.

“Daddy Lessons” was included on Beyoncé's sixth studio album, Lemonade, which was released in April 2016. The album was a critical and commercial success, with many praising it as her most personal and political work yet.

The song's release sparked controversy when a few country radio stations refused to play it, citing that it wasn't "country enough." Fans and critics alike argued that this was a blatant example of racism in the music industry, especially towards black artists who venture into country music.

Despite the backlash, “Daddy Lessons” has become a fan favorite and a staple in Beyoncé's live performances, especially during her Coachella set in 2018.

Overall, “Daddy Lessons” is a beautiful ode to a father-daughter relationship and a window into the musical versatility of Beyoncé. It’s a track that showcases her ability to blend genres seamlessly while telling a captivating story.

• Release Date: April 23, 2016
• Artist: Beyoncé