The Musician Insight

Daughter by Beyoncé is probably her most vulnerable track to date.

In this record, the superstar reflects on her actions, and on the ones made before her by her father. Through this, she expresses her faults, fears and doubts about herself. Through the song’s narration, Beyoncé confesses to the audience her anxiety and remorse “look what you made me do”, “help me Lord from these fantaisies in my head”.

The instrumental consists on an acoustic and electric guitars, keyboard and violins, creating an intimate atmosphere and putting us into the singer’s mind.

The intermission of the opera standard Caro Bio Ben expresses her longing to reconnect with a long lost love, perhaps one of herself, as she indicates her flaws “they say I’m nothing like my father […] I am colder than Titanic water” which haunts her. The lyrics “your bloodstain on my custom couture” eludes to Beyoncé’s fear of violence, and her search for a sanctuary in her religion.

Beyoncé’s vocals are impeccable as always, and conveys us to listen to her troubles. This is not her first time of experimenting with opera as a singer (as she first took singing lessons with an opera singer). This use of operatic vocals adds onto the dramatic atmosphere of the song, and we can clearly feel her hurt and vulnerability.

Photo source: @beyonce Instagram