Beyoncé - Taylor Adgerson

Beyoncé--The global superstar

Here are the lyrics to Beyoncé's song "Ameriican Requiem" alongside a video of her singing

Here are the lyrics to Beyoncé's song "Freedom" alongside a video of her singing

Question:

In “Freedom” and “American Requiem,” how does Beyoncé use powerful imagery and repeated phrases to talk about struggle, identity, and freedom in America? 

Answer:

In “Freedom” Beyoncé uses powerful imagery and repetition to show the struggle to achieve freedom and overcome oppression. She uses imagery of storms, water, and movement to represent perseverance, like when she says “I’ma walk, I’ma march on the regular” and “I break chains all by myself” (“Freedom”). These lines show that she has determination even when facing obstacles and that she refuses to let any outside forces stop her from pushing forward. The storm imagery at the beginning, such as “Tryna rain, tryna rain on the thunder / Tell the storm I’m new” suggests that even when challenges try to weaken her, she remains strong and continues fighting (“Freedom”). The repeated phrase “Freedom! Freedom! I can’t move / Freedom, cut me loose!” also emphasizes how desperately freedom is needed and how suffocating it can feel to fight for it when progress continues to be slow (“Freedom”).  By repeating the word “freedom” throughout the song, Beyoncé makes the message more powerful and emotional, showing that freedom is something people unfortunately must constantly demand and fight for rather than something that is easily given.

In “American Requiem” Beyoncé focuses more on identity and the complicated history of America. She uses imagery connected to funerals and burial, such as “American Requiem / Them big ideas are buried here” to suggest that the ideals America was built on, like equality and opportunity, have not ever been upheld in reality (“American Requiem”). The word “requiem,” which is a song for the dead, also implies that some of those promises may feel lost or forgotten. Beyoncé also connects her personal identity to her roots when she says, “The grand baby of a moonshine man / Gadsden, Alabama,” showing pride in where she comes from even though she faced criticism for not being “country enough”(“American Requiem”). By mentioning her background and family history, she shows that identity is deeply connected to heritage and experience. Through repeated questions like “Can you hear me?” and “Can we stand for somethin’?” Beyoncé challenges people who are listening or reading to reflect on what freedom and identity really mean in America and whether society is truly living up to its values. These questions and statements in both songs invite the audience to think more deeply about the country’s history and encourage them to consider their own role in standing up for what is right.

Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé. “Ameriican Requiem.” Genius, 2024, www.genius.com/Beyonce-ameriican-requiem-lyrics.

Knowles-Carter, Beyoncé, and Kendrick Lamar. “Freedom.” Genius, 2016, www.genius.com/Beyonce freedom-lyrics. 

Prompt 1: Any associations, personal connections, daydreams triggered by the reading/listening?  What insights do these offer about the text and about you as a reader/listener?

Listening to these songs by Beyoncé evokes many feelings in me as a listener. Ever since I was younger, my mom loved listening to Beyoncé, playing her music on the car ride to school, while cleaning the house, or even while doing my hair. Listening to her music was a part of my everyday life, especially when the song “Freedom” came out. When “Freedom” was released, I was about seven years old and in third grade. I remember how powerful the lyrics sounded when I first heard them, but at the time I did not realize how big of an impact the song would have on other people as well.

When 2020 came, following the killing of George Floyd, there were many racial justice protests across the country. I remember activists often using this song during demonstrations, which shows how the repeated call for “freedom” became more than just lyrics. Instead, the song acted as a call to action that reflected the emotions and demands of people fighting for justice and equality. When activists used the song during protests, it showed that the message connects to real struggles for freedom and civil rights, proving that the song’s message extends beyond music and into real life movements for change.

Beyoncé’s song “American Requiem” also evokes a deep feeling of sadness for me. The operatic tone of the song, combined with the weight of the lyrics, creates a sense of reflection and emotion that I really connect with. When Beyoncé sings, “Can we stand for somethin’?” I feel the full weight of that question ("Ameriican Requiem"). It speaks to the reality that in our world, people either stand up for themselves and for what is right, or they remain silent. I am the type of person who speaks my mind and stands firmly for what I believe is right, and hearing that lyric reminds me of the importance of standing up, even when it is difficult.

I also strongly identify with the lyric about not being “country enough.” I have had people tell me that I am too white-washed, and at other times that I am not black enough, which used to make me question who I am and where I belong. I love how Beyoncé captures that feeling of not being “enough,” but also turns it into empowerment, with her message being clear; it doesn’t matter what others think, because you are enough for yourself, and standing up for your beliefs is what truly matters. That sense of self assurance and courage in the face of judgment is something I deeply relate to and admire.

Prompt 2: Consider the afterlife of the songs. Write a brief paragraph explaining how the songs have been received, reused, referenced, and/or reinterpreted over time. Has it been associated with movements, moments, or a collective memory? Why do you think it has endured or should endure?

Beyoncé’s song “Freedom” has had a lasting impact beyond just being a hit song. It has been reused, and embraced as an anthem for social justice and empowerment. For example, during Vice President Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, the song was featured to celebrate progress and inspire people to continue striving for change, highlighting its connection to political movements and moments of collective hope. The song has also been widely used during racial justice protests, especially following the killing of George Floyd, where activists sang and played it as a unifying call to action. Its enduring power comes from its ability to speak to struggles for freedom and equality, making it both timely and timeless. “Freedom” continues to resonate because it captures a universal desire to overcome oppression and inspires listeners to keep fighting for justice and change.