Beyoncé surprised the world with her new single, Texas Hold ‘EM, which she debuted during a Super Bowl LVIII commercial.

Texas hold ’em lyrics reveal a rich country-pop crossover that celebrates Beyoncé’s Texan heritage and blends it with the broader tapestry of country music’s African American origins. 

The track, along with another country-inspired song, “16 Carriages,” is part of her album, “Cowboy Carter.”

This pivotal moment signifies a significant transformation in her distinguished career.

The ‘Texas Hold Em’ lyrics of the song blend her Texan heritage with the often-unacknowledged contributions of black musicians to the country music genre

A Celebration of Southern Culture

At first listen, the Texas Hold Em song is an upbeat country track that gets your feet tapping.

A closer examination of the Texas Hold Em lyrics within Beyoncé’s country song uncovers a rich narrative that pays tribute to her Texan roots and upbringing in Houston.

The clever use of the poker term Texas Hold ‘Em as a metaphor for vulnerability and honesty sets the tone.

As Beyoncé sings “lay your cards down” and invites her partner to “slow dance,” she’s literally and figuratively asking him to stop playing games, let his guard down, and join her. 

Yet the title is also an overt nod to Beyoncé’s origins, as paying homage to one’s hometown is a key part of country music tradition.

The lyrics of Texas Hold Em are overflowing with classic country imagery and motifs like “dive bars,” “rugged whisky,”“hoops, spurs, boots,” and calls for a “real-life hoedown.”

A Collaborative Effort

The song was produced by Beyoncé, Killah B, and Nathan Ferraro and written by a team of collaborators, including Beyoncé, Lowell, bülow, Raphael Saadiq, Nathan Ferraro, and Killah B.

The track also features the banjo and viola skills of Rhiannon Giddens, a Grammy-winning musician and scholar who has championed the role of black artists in country music.

Lyrical Depth: Escapism, Resilience, and Celebration

While the uptempo beats inspire dancing, Texas Hold Em lyrics also explore deeper themes.

Lines like “There’s a tornado in my city… Rugged whisky ’cause we survivin’” speak to finding solace and resilience through music and companionship amidst life’s tumults.

The chorus celebrating a “real-life boogie and hoedown” is more than just a party anthem.

It’s a call to embrace joyful moments of community and human connection, even when facing adversity.

This sentiment is echoed in the second verse’s “we’re runnin’ to the first bar that we find” to escape “dramatic” problems through revelry.

Meanwhile, the pre-chorus hints at Beyoncé’s yearning for a simpler life away from fame’s trappings, where she could just visit a “dive bar” and connect intimately with her partner, free from prying eyes

Cultural Significance: Reclaiming Country Music’s Roots

Texas Hold ‘EM is not just a song; it’s a cultural statement. By delving into country music—a genre with deep African American roots—Beyoncé challenges the conventional narratives that have often excluded black artists from the genre’s history.

The inclusion of Rhiannon Giddens in the track is a deliberate nod to this reclamation, reminding listeners of the genre’s true origins and the contributions of black artists to its development.

The Bigger Picture: Renaissance Act II

Texas Hold ‘EM serves as a tantalising preview of “Cowboy Carter,” Beyoncé’s country-themed album.

Following the eclectic mix of genres in “Renaissance,” this new direction not only showcases Beyoncé’s versatility as an artist but also pays respect to the musical traditions that have shaped her.

With Texas Hold ‘EM, Beyoncé invites her audience on a journey that’s both deeply personal and universally resonant, blending the storytelling traditions of country music with her own unique narrative.

Conclusion

Beyoncé’s Texas Hold ‘EM is a multilayered, vibrant celebration of her heritage through a country-pop lens.

As the lyrics to Texas Hold Em demonstrate, it’s far more than just a breezy crossover hit.

It’s a rich exploration of Southern culture, an embrace of music’s power to foster community and resilience, and a cultural reclamation reminding us of Country music’s African American origins.

This track stands as a compelling element of the now-released album, showcasing the ongoing innovation and influence of one of music’s most dynamic artists.

If you want to read more about Beyoncé’s new songs, you can check out our previous article about “16 Carriages” Beyoncé Breaks New Ground with 16 Carriages.

You might also like:

• Oliver Anthony’s Rich Men North of Richmond: The Unexpected Anthem Bridging Modern Country and Virginia’s Legacy
• Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver – A Timeless Anthem of Home and Nature
• Olivia Rodrigo’s Ballad of a Homeschooled Girl: A Deep Dive into Lyrics and Meaning
• Need a Favour by Jelly Roll: A Breakthrough Hit in Country and Rock

Beyoncé Texas Hold ‘EM Lyrics

Chorus
This ain’t Texas (Woo)
Ain’t no hold ’em (Hey)
So lay your cards down, down, down, down
So park your Lexus (Woo)
And throw your keys up (Hey)
Stick around, ’round, ’round, ’round, ’round (Stick around)
And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow-dance with you
Come pour some sugar on me, honey too
It’s a real-life boogie and a real-life hoedown
Don’t be a bitch, come take it to the floor now, woo, ha (Woo)

Verse 1
There’s a tornado (There’s a tornado)
In my city (In my city)
Hit the basement (Hit the basement)
That shit ain’t pretty (That shit ain’t pretty)
Rugged whiskey (Rugged whiskey)
‘Cause we survivin’ (‘Cause we survivin’)
Off red-cup kisses, sweet redemption, passin’ time, yeah

Pre-Chorus
Ooh, one step to the right
We headed to the dive bar we always thought was nice
Ooh, run me to the left
Then spin me in the middle, boy, I can’t read your mind

Chorus
This ain’t Texas (Woo)
Ain’t no hold ’em (Hey)
So lay your cards down, down, down, down
So park your Lexus (Woo)
And throw your keys up (Hey)
And stick around, ’round, ’round, ’round, ’round (Stick around)
And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow-dance with you
Come pour some sugar on me, honey too
It’s a real-life boogie and a real-life hoedown
Don’t be a bitch, come take it to the floor now, woo
And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you
Come pour some liquor on me, honey too
It’s a real-life boogie and a real-life hoedown
Don’t be a bitch, come take it to the floor now, woo

Post-Chorus
Woo-hoo
Woo-hoo
Woo-hoo

Verse 2
There’s a heatwave (There’s a heatwave)
Comin’ at us (Comin’ at us)
Too hot to think straight (Too hot to think straight)
Too cold to panic (Cold to panic)
All of the problems
Just feel dramatic (Just feel dramatic)
And now we’re runnin’ to the first bar that we find, yeah

Pre-Chorus
Ooh, one step to the right
We headed to the dive bar we always thought was nice
Ooh, you run to the left
Just work me in the middle boy, I can’t read your mind

Chorus
This ain’t Texas (Woo)
Ain’t no hold ’em (Hey)
So lay your cards down, down, down, down, oh
So park your Lexus (Hey)
And throw your keys up (Hey)
And stick around,’ round, ’round, ’round, ’round (Stick around)
And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you
Come pour some sugar on me, honey too
It’s a real-life boogie and a real-life hoedown
Don’t be a bitch, come take it to the floor now (Woo)
And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you
Come pour some liquor on me, honey too
It’s a real-life boogie and a real-life hoedown
Don’t be a—, come take it to the floor now, ooh

Outro
Take it to the floor now, ooh
Hoops, spurs, boots
To the floor now, ooh
Tuck, back, oops (Ooh, ooh, ooh)
Shoot
Come take it to the floor now, ooh
And I’ll be damned if I cannot dance with you
Baby, pour that sugar and liquor on me, too
Furs, spurs, boots
Solargenic, photogenic, shoot