Beyoncé’s current foray into country music, “Texas Hold’ Em,” is a bona fide hit, having reached No. 1 on both Billboard’s Country and Pop charts. But some fans say the song sounds awfully familiar.
Over the last few days, numerous fans across social media have made note of similarities they’ve noticed between Queen Bey’s latest offering and the theme song from the Canadian cartoon show “Franklin,” which ran from 1997 to 2004.
“Millennials trying to figure out why this sounds so familiar,” wrote one TikTok user in a video where “Texas Hold’ Em” plays in the background with scenes from “Franklin” flashing by.
Another TikToker broke down both songs and picked out similar parts, saying, “I don’t know if it’s actually a sample, but I love the inspiration.”
While internet sleuths do their best to crack the case, Bruce Cockburn, the creator of the “Franklin” theme, says he understands the similarities being heard. Still, he doesn’t think Bey’s song borrows from his.
“I think Beyoncé’s ‘Texas Hold’ Em’ is a good record,” he said in a statement to People. “Unfortunately, I can’t claim to have had any part in writing it. 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!”
Cockburn’s wishes for success for the song have come to fruition with “Texas Hold’ Em” making Beyoncé the first-ever Black female artist to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart after it dethroned Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves’ duet “I Remember Everything,” which held down the top position for 20 weeks.
“Texas Hold’ Em,” and “16 Carriages,” were released during the Super Bowl as Bey announced in a well-received Verizon commercial that the next act in her Renaissance series was on the way.
Beyoncé’s next album, tentatively titled, Act II, is scheduled to be released on March 29. Listen to the “Franklin Theme” in the YouTube video below.
