Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” Sparks Comparisons to Franklin Theme Song as Composer Weighs In

In a peculiar turn of events, Beyoncé ‘s latest hit, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” has ignited a wave of comparisons to the theme song from the beloved Canadian children’s cartoon Franklin. While some fans have drawn parallels between the two tunes, composer Bruce Cockburn has offered his perspective on the matter.

The debate surrounding the alleged similarities surfaced on TikTok, where users dissected the melodies in a series of videos. Notably, Cockburn, the composer of the Franklin TV theme song, acknowledged the rhythmic resemblance between the two tracks but emphasized their distinctiveness. “I think Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ’Em” is a good record. Unfortunately I can’t claim to have had any part in writing it,” Cockburn stated. “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!”

For those unfamiliar, Franklin was a beloved animated series that aired from 1997 to 2004, chronicling the adventures of a young turtle in the quaint village of Woodland. However, “Texas Hold ‘Em” ventures into entirely different territory, focusing on themes of resilience and empowerment.

Beyoncé’s surprise release of “Texas Hold ‘Em,” along with “16 Carriages,” during the Super Bowl marked a monumental moment in her career. Not only did “Texas Hold ‘Em” soar to the top of Billboard’s country charts, but it also claimed the No. 1 spot on the Hot 100 this week, making history as the first song by a Black woman to achieve such a feat.

These tracks are part of Act II of Beyoncé’s artistic journey, following her ventures into disco house music in 2022. As anticipation builds for her forthcoming album, slated for release on March 29, “Texas Hold ‘Em” serves as a compelling glimpse into the multifaceted world of Queen Bey’s musical evolution.