On Wednesday night (Nov. 2), Beyoncé shut down the 2016 CMA Awards by joining the Dixie Chicks for a performance of “Daddy Lessons,” the sixth song on her full-length opus Lemonade. The performance instantly became one of the ceremony’s most memorable moments, and left casual fans scrambling to learn more about Queen Bey’s unlikely foray into the country world.
So what’s the deal with “Daddy Lessons”? Here are 10 fun facts about Beyonce’s Lemonade highlight, now that the CMAs have made it the Bey song everyone’s talking about:
1. It was co-produced by Beyonce. Just like all of Lemonade. Derek Dixie and Alex Delicata are also credited as co-producers on the track.
2. It was co-written by Wynter Gordon. The R&B and pop singer-songwriter, best known for singles like “Dirty Talk” and “Insomnia,” co-wrote “Daddy Lessons,” as well as Lemonade standouts “Don’t Hurt Yourself” and “Sorry” (the latter of which she co-produced). Gordon has previously written for artists like Ciara and Mary J. Blige.
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3. It references Beyonce’s roots. After a big “yee-haw!” and before the song’s first verse, Bey says the word “Texas” three times — returning the album (and its corresponding HBO special) to her Houston upbringing in her pre-Destiny’s Child days.
4. It provides a Mathew Knowles fake-out. “He always played it cool, but daddy was no fool/ And right before he died, he said, ‘Remember…’” Beyonce sings on “Daddy Lessons.” But, thankfully, Bey’s daddy didn’t die: Mathew Knowles, the superstar’s father and former manager, is alive and well at age 64.
5. It’s got a Blue Ivy cameo! You don’t want to fast-forward the end of “Daddy Lessons” — you’ll miss her daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, exclaim “Good job Bey!” to her mother (who delightedly chuckles in response) in the last five seconds.
6. It inspired Beyonce’s first appearance at the CMA Awards. Pop stars have invaded the CMAs stage before — Nick Jonas was there last year, performing with Dan + Shay, and Justin Timberlake joined Chris Stapleton during his breakout set — but Queen Bey, an awards show auteur, had yet to grace the country ceremony before 2016. Credit “Daddy Lessons,” widely considered her first real foray into country, for getting her there alongside the Dixie Chicks. Speaking of which…
7. The Dixie Chicks have played it live before… many, many times. The legendary trio started working a cover of the Lemonade track into their DCX MMXVI world tour days after Beyonce’s sixth album was released in April, along with covers of songs like Lana Del Rey’s “Video Games” and Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U.” Expect them to keep covering the song as the tour heads to Australia next spring.
8. There’s an official studio version of the Beyonce/Dixie Chicks duet! Minutes after the CMAs performance, the Dixie Chicks’ official Twitter account linked out to a new recording of “Daddy Lessons,” now featuring Natalie, Martie and Emily singing and yukking it up with Bey. For the Dixie Chicks, it’s a rare studio outing — the country trio hasn’t released a studio album since Taking the Long Way, over a decade ago.
Yeehaw!
Dixie Chicks joined Beyoncé on stage for ‘Daddy Lessons’ at #CMAawards50 – download FREE here: https://t.co/aYnUOaMgWp#CMAawards50 pic.twitter.com/qtsv6x0cC2— Dixie Chicks (@dixiechicks) November 3, 2016
9. It’s not an official single (yet). Thus far, “Formation,” “Sorry,” “Hold Up” and “Freedom” have gotten the single treatment from Lemonade. Could the CMAs performance yield a radio push for “Daddy Lessons” (and in the newly Dixies-assisted version)?
10. It’s already a Hot 100 hit. When Lemonade was released in April, all 12 of its tracks debuted on the Hot 100 chart, with “Daddy Lessons” coming in at No. 41 (the previously released “Formation” jumped to No. 10). Will the CMAs performance push it back onto the chart, and snag an even higher peak? Stay tuned.