Call it a trigger of millennial nostalgia following the release of Beyoncé’s country song “Texas Hold ‘Em”, and you would not be far from right. There is the emergence of the quest by millennials to connect themes in country songs to their childhood moments.
The chart-topping hit “Texas Hold ‘Em” has come under public scrutiny for its purported resemblance to the theme song of the Canadian kids’ cartoon, Franklin.
TikTok users sparked the discussion with side-by-side comparisons, prompting even the composer of the TV theme to join the conversation, according to Entertainment Weekly.
But, he is crediting Beyoncé for her work.
“I think Beyoncé’s ‘Texas Hold ’Em’ is a good record. Unfortunately, I can’t claim to have had any part in writing it,” Bruce Cockburn said. “The rhythmic feel is similar to my theme song for the Franklin TV series, but to my ears, that’s where the similarity stops. ‘Texas Hold ’Em’ is her song, and I wish her success with it!”
“Franklin,” which aired from 1997 to 2004, centered on a young turtle’s escapades in the village of Woodland, inspired by Brenda Clark and Paulette Bourgeois’ beloved Franklin the Turtle books.
Conversely, “Texas Hold ‘Em” is about “laying your cards down, down, down, down and not being a bitch and taking it to the floor now (Woo!).”
In an unexpected shift, Beyoncé stunned fans with a surprise release of her singles “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” during the Super Bowl, following a surprise appearance in a Verizon commercial.
“Texas Hold ‘Em” made history as the first track by a Black woman to reach No. 1 on Billboard’s country charts, also climbing to the top of the Hot 100 this week.
These releases mark Act II of Beyoncé’s Renaissance, following her disco house album in 2022. Fans can anticipate the full album’s release on March 29.
