BODYGUARD

Album

Cowboy Carter

Label

Parkwood Entertainment

Genre

Dark pop

Duration

0:00

Composer(s)

Beyoncé Knowles;Elizabeth Lowell Boland;Leven Kali Simon-Seay;Raphael Saadiq;Ryan Beatty;Shawntoni Nichols

Entered Chart

Apr 13, 2024

Peak Date

Apr 13, 2024

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Forget damsels in distress, "Bodyguard" finds Beyoncé offering fierce protection to her partner. The Texan superstar promises to ride shotgun through tough times, deflect negativity like a Kevlar vest shielding him from gossip, and maintain composure under pressure, acting as his emotional lifeguard. It's not the first time Beyoncé has put her life on the line for love. 2002's "'03 Bonnie And Clyde" and 2015's "Part II (On The Run)" both have similar themes. The song speaks to the depth of Beyoncé's fierce love for Jay-Z, fitting seamlessly into her sprawling collections of love odes to her husband. Think of it as a companion piece to classics like "End Of Time" and " Love On Top." Some fans speculated that Beyoncé might have drawn inspiration from her longtime bodyguard, Julius, a constant presence throughout her career. "Bodyguard" is the eighth track on Cowboy Carter, the second installment of Beyoncé's trilogy project conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic, following Renaissance. The album explores the Black roots of country music. As in other areas on the record, this song sees Beyoncé flipping traditional roles, in this instance showing up as a woman doing duty as bodyguard for a man. The "Bodyguard" title is a playful nod to Whitney Houston's iconic film and soundtrack of the same name, which famously featured her unforgettable cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You." This connection becomes even more intriguing when you consider the placement of the song on the Cowboy Carter tracklist. It precedes both the Dolly Parton collaboration "Dolly P" and Beyoncé's take on "Jolene," creating a thematic thread that weaves through these tracks. Report this ad Beyoncé joined forces with co-writers Ryan Beatty, Leven Kali, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, and Mamii to pen "Bodyguard." But the mastermind behind the song's sonic landscape is Raphael Saadiq, who also takes on the producer role. Saadiq first rose to fame in the late '80s as part of the soul/R&B trio Tony! Toni! Toné! His solo career flourished with hits like "Ask Of You," solidifying his reputation as a talented musician. But Saadiq's true strength lies in his production work. He's collaborated with a diverse range of artists, including D'Angelo, Whitney Houston (another Whitney connection!), and Erykah Badu. Saadiq previously left his mark on Renaissance as a producer, writer, and performer on a couple of tracks. Saadiq's production is a sonic cocktail that blends elements of West Coast surf rock with a dash of '90s country revival. The resulting laid-back, groovy soundscape complements the themes of fierce love and unwavering support explored in the song. While uncredited, rumors swirled that Taylor Swift lends her voice to the track in the background vocals. Though there was no official confirmation from Beyoncé or her team, fans picked up on subtle notes in the song's harmonies.

One, two, three, four
Ooh-ee-ooh, ah
Ooh-ee-ooh

So sweet, I give you kisses in the backseat
I whisper secrets in the backbeat
You make me cry, you make me happy, happy (happy)
Leave my lipstick on the cigarette
You toss it and you stomp it out, oh, oh
Inhalin' whiskey when you kiss my neck
We been hurtin', but it's happy hour, oh, hour, ooh

They couldn't have me
And they never will
And sometimes I hold you closer
Just to know you're real
Wheels in the gravel
Davis in my bones
Sometimes I take a day off
Just to turn you on, on, on, ooh

Honey, honey
I can be your bodyguard (hey)
Oh, honey, honey
I can be your Kevlar (uh)
Oh, honey, honey
I can be your lifeguard (hey)
Ooh, honey, honey
You should let me ride shotgun, shotgun, oh-oh-oh

Be your best friend
I'll protect you in the moshpit
And I'll defend you when they gossip
You know how people like to start shit
And pop shit
I don't like the way she's lookin' at you
Someone better hold me back, oh-oh
Chargin' ten for a double and I'm talkin'
I'm 'bout to lose it
Turn around and John Wayne that ass (one, two, three, four)

They couldn't catch you (from me)
And they never will (you see)
And sometimes I hold you closer
Just to know you're real (ah)
Tell me your problems (I got you)
I take how you feel (huh)
I show you an exit when you're restless
I'll take the wheel, ooh, oh, oh

Honey, honey
You can be my bodyguard (hey)
Uh, oh, honey, honey
Will you let me ride shotgun, shotgun? Oh-oh-oh

Oh
Oh, whoa
Oh, oh-oh
Oh, oh-oh, ooh

I can be your bodyguard
Please let me be your Kevlar, huh
Baby, let me be your lifeguard
Would you let me ride shotgun, shotgun? Shotgun? Oh-oh-oh

One, two, three, four