Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Beyoncé began performing in local competitions at age 7, eventually forming the group Girl's Tyme in 1990 with help from her parents. Girl's Tyme became Destiny's Child in 1997.
During the hiatus of Destiny's Child in 2003, Beyoncé released her debut solo album, Dangerously in Love, which became one of the most successful albums of that year, and signaled her viability as a solo artist. The disbanding of Destiny's Child in 2005 facilitated her continued success: her sophomore solo album B'Day, released in 2006, debuted at number one on the Billboard charts. Her third solo album, I Am… Sasha Fierce, was released in November 2008, and in 2009 she received 10 Grammy Awards nominations. On January 31, 2010, she won 6 Grammy Awards, breaking the record for most Grammy awards won by a female artist in one night; she previously held the record of five awards with 5 other artists. Following a career hiatus, Beyoncé released her fourth studio album entitled "4" on June 24, 2011, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200.
2013 - 5th Album - "Beyoncé"
On December 12, 2013, Beyoncé unexpectedly released her fifth and self-titled album in the iTunes Store. Beyoncé called it a "visual album" as it includes 14 songs and 18 videos - with each track having a music video together with additional bonus videos. The album has a list of collaborators including Drake, Frank Ocean and her husband, Jay-Z, and daughter, Blue Ivy.
2015
In February 2015 at the 57th Grammy Awards, Beyoncé won 3 Grammys (and was nominated for 6 Grammy awards) - Best R&B Song for "Drunk in Love", Best R&B Performance and Best Surround Sound Album for Beyoncé.
On April 4th, 2015, Beyoncé surprised her fans with the release of a new single and accompanying video, released exclusively on the streaming service "Tidal" which she co-owns with a number of other big name starts including Arcade Fire, Daft Punk, Jack White, Kanye West, Madonna, Rihanna and Usher. The track, "Die With You" is a stripped down ballad, with Beyoncé sitting at a piano with pigtail braids: the song celebrates the seventh anniversary of her marriage to Jay-Z.
Super Bowl - February 2016
Beyoncé appeared on stage to perform her latest single "Formation", supporting the headline act Coldplay at the much coverted Super Bowl 50 half-time show on February 7, 2016. Also appearing on stage was Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson who performed their hit "Uptown Funk".
2016 - 6th Album - "Lemonade"
"Lemonade" is Beyoncé's a sixth solo album and was released on April 23, 2016 as an exclusive on the music streaming service, Tidal after it premiered on the TV Network, HBO, as a conceptual short film. It was subsequently made available for purchase on Apple's iTunes Store on April 24, 2016. The album has 12 tracks, with contributions from artists such as James Blake and Kendrick Lamar. According to a press release from Tidal which accompanied the release, "Lemonade" is “based on every woman’s journey of self-knowledge and healing”.
2017 - Grammy Awards
At the 59th Grammy Awards on Sun, February 12, 2017, Beyoncé took awards for "Best Urban Contemporary Album" for "Lemonade" and "Best Music Video" for "Formation"
2022 - 7th Album - "RENAISSANCE" (ACT i)
After a 6 year hiatus from music, Beyoncé announced the lead single "BREAK MY SOUL" on June 20, 2022, for her seventh studio album “RENAISSANCE" which is the first installment of a three-part project. "RENAISSANCE" was released on July 29, 2022, and was recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic, seeking to inspire joy in listeners. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became the best-rated album of 2022, named the best album of the year by publications such as the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times, NPR, Pitchfork, and Rolling Stone, which would later place the record at number 71 on their 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list. It then was nominated for Album of The Year at the 65 Annual Grammy Award Show and won Best Dance/Electronic Album.
2024 - 8th Album - "COWBOY CARTER" (ACT ii)
2 years after her seventh studio album, "RENAISSANCE", Beyoncé announced her eighth studio album "COWBOY CARTER" also known as “ACT ii” released on March 29, 2024. This serves as the second installment of the three-part project, and as long rumoured, its genre is country. The album was teased through a Verizon ad aired during the Super Bowl LVIII and was preceded with two surprise singles both released on February 10, 2024, "TEXAS HOLD 'EM" which hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "16 CARRIAGES".
Miscellaneous
Beyoncé began her acting career in 2001, appearing in the musical film Carmen: A Hip Hopera. In 2006, she starred in the lead role in the film adaptation of the 1981 Broadway musical Dreamgirls, for which she earned two Golden Globe nominations.
On April 4, 2008, Beyoncé and Jay-Z were married in a small, private ceremony in New York. On January 7, 2012, Beyoncé gave birth to a daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. Beyoncé is sometimes referred to as Jay-Z's wifey and/or, Jay-Z's boo thang.
Beyoncé launched her family's fashion line, House of Deréon, in 2004, and has endorsed such brands as Pepsi, Tommy Hilfiger, Armani and L'Oréal.
In 2009, Forbes listed Beyoncé fourth on its list of the 100 Most Powerful and Influential Celebrities in the world, third on its list of the top-grossing musicians, and number one on the list of top Best-Paid Celebs Under 30 with over $87 million dollars in earnings between 2008 and 2009.
Beyoncé has attained five Hot 100 number one singles, becoming one of the two female artists—joint with Rihanna—with the most number ones attained within the 2000s, excluding her three Hot 100 number one singles with Destiny's Child.
Swing Low Sweet Chariot
Beyoncé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Coming for to carry me home
Swing low
Sweet, sweet, sweet chariot, chariot
Comin' for to carry me home, home, yeah-yeah
Swing down, chariots, won't you let me ride?
Oh, swing
Rock me Lord, rock me Lord (rock me, rock me Lord, ooh-hey)
Calm and easy (I got a home)
I got a home on the other side (hey)
Oh, six white horses standin' side by side
Oh, sing
Six white horses prancin' (sing)
Side by side, oh
Rock me Lord, rock me Lord (rock me, rock me)
Calm and easy (I got a home)
I got a home on the other side (hey)
Swing low, swing low, swing low, swing low and let me ride
Why don't you let me ride?
(Why oh why oh why, don't you let me ride?)
Why don't you let me ride, ride, ride, ride, ride?
Why don't you let me ride, let me ride, let me ride?
(Let me ride)
Ride, ride, ride, ride, ride
Swing down, chariots, won't you let me ride?
Oh, swing
Swing down, chariots, stop and let me ride, oh
Rock me Lord, rock me Lord (rock me, rock me Lord, oh-hey)
Calm and easy (hey, hey, hey)
I got a home on the other side (got a home)
I got a home on the- (you got a home)
I got a home on the- (we got a home)
I got a home on the- (I got a home)
I got a home on the- (I got a home)
I got a home on the- (you got a home)
I got a home on the- (we goin' home)
I got a home on the- (goin' home)
I got a home on the- (yes, Lord)
I got a home on the- (sweet Lord)
I got a home on the- (sweet chariot)
I got a home on the- (take me home)
I got a home on the- (take me home)
I got a home on the-
I'm (I)
Going (am going)
Home (home)
The song "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" by Beyoncé is a modern rendition of the traditional African American spiritual. The lyrics convey a message of hope and longing for a better place or home. The chariot is a symbolic representation of a divine vehicle that will carry the singer to a place of peace and comfort. The repetition of "swing low" and "sweet chariot" emphasizes the desire for salvation and deliverance from the struggles of life.
In the first verse, the singer pleas for the chariot to come and carry her home, expressing her anticipation and eagerness to leave her current situation behind. The mention of the six white horses highlights the grandeur and power of the chariot, further emphasizing the divine nature of the journey. The second verse continues with the request for the chariot to let the singer ride, and she acknowledges that she has a home waiting for her on the other side. The repetition of "rock me Lord" suggests a plea for comfort and reassurance during this journey towards home.
Overall, the lyrics of "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" reflect the African American experience of seeking freedom, deliverance, and an eternal home. They speak to the struggle for liberation and the comfort found in spiritual faith.
Line by Line Meaning
Swing low, sweet chariot
Come down, gentle vehicle of salvation
Coming for to carry me home
Approaching to transport me to my place of rest
Swing low
Descend gracefully
Sweet, sweet, sweet chariot, chariot
Delightful, delightful, delightful vehicle, vehicle
Comin' for to carry me home, home, yeah-yeah
Arriving to transport me to my home, home, yes-yes
Swing down, chariots, won't you let me ride?
Move downward, chariots, please allow me to partake in the journey
Oh, swing
Oh, move rhythmically
Swing down, chariots, stop and let me ride, oh
Descend, chariots, halt and permit me to join, oh
Rock me Lord, rock me Lord (rock me, rock me Lord, ooh-hey)
Comfort me, God, console me, God (console me, console me God, ooh-hey)
Calm and easy (I got a home)
Tranquil and relaxed (I possess a home)
I got a home on the other side (hey)
I have a residence in the afterlife (hey)
Oh, six white horses standin' side by side
Oh, six pure horses positioned adjacent to each other
Oh, sing
Oh, chant joyfully
Six white horses prancin' (sing)
Six pure horses leaping gracefully (chant)
Side by side, oh
Next to each other, oh
Rock me Lord, rock me Lord (rock me, rock me)
Comfort me, God, console me, God (console me, console me)
Calm and easy (I got a home)
Tranquil and relaxed (I possess a home)
I got a home on the other side (hey)
I have a residence in the afterlife (hey)
Swing low, swing low, swing low, swing low and let me ride
Descend gently, descend gently, descend gently, descend gently and allow me to join
Why don't you let me ride?
Why do you not permit me to partake in the journey?
(Why oh why oh why, don't you let me ride?)
(Why oh why oh why, do you not let me join the journey?)
Why don't you let me ride, ride, ride, ride, ride?
Why do you not allow me to participate in the journey, journey, journey, journey, journey?
Why don't you let me ride, let me ride, let me ride?
Why do you not permit me to partake in the journey, allow me to join?
(Let me ride)
(Allow me to join)
Ride, ride, ride, ride, ride
Travel, travel, travel, travel, travel
Swing down, chariots, won't you let me ride?
Descend, chariots, please allow me to partake in the journey
Oh, swing
Oh, move rhythmically
Swing down, chariots, stop and let me ride, oh
Descend, chariots, halt and permit me to join, oh
Rock me Lord, rock me Lord (rock me, rock me Lord, oh-hey)
Comfort me, God, console me, God (console me, console me God, ooh-hey)
Calm and easy (hey, hey, hey)
Tranquil and relaxed (hey, hey, hey)
I got a home on the other side (got a home)
I have a residence in the afterlife (have a home)
I got a home on the- (you got a home)
I have a residence in the- (you have a home)
I got a home on the- (we got a home)
I have a residence in the- (we have a home)
I got a home on the- (I got a home)
I have a residence in the- (I have a home)
I got a home on the- (I got a home)
I have a residence in the- (I have a home)
I got a home on the- (you got a home)
I have a residence in the- (you have a home)
I got a home on the- (we goin' home)
I have a residence in the- (we are going home)
I got a home on the- (goin' home)
I have a residence in the- (going home)
I got a home on the- (yes, Lord)
I have a residence in the- (affirmative, God)
I got a home on the- (sweet Lord)
I have a residence in the- (pleasant God)
I got a home on the- (sweet chariot)
I have a residence in the- (delightful vehicle)
I got a home on the- (take me home)
I have a residence in the- (transport me to my place of rest)
I got a home on the- (take me home)
I have a residence in the- (transport me to my place of rest)
I got a home on the-
I have a residence in the-
I'm (I)
I am (I)
Going (am going)
Traveling (am traveling)
Home (home)
To my place of rest (my place of rest)
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Traditional, Wolff
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MarcosVinicius-mb4el
Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming forth to carry me home
Swing low, sweet sweet sweet sweet chariot chariot
Coming forth to carry me home yeah
Swing down chariots won't you let me ride oh
Swing, stop and let me ride
Oh ride me rock me, lord
Ooh hey
I got a home on the other side
Oh, six white horses standing side by side
Oh, sing
Sing
Rock me, rock me
I got a home
Hey
Swing low sing low and let me ride
Why oh why oh why don't you let me ride
Ride, ride, ride ride ride
Let me ride, let me ride, let me ride
Swing down chariots won't you let me ride
Oh swing, stop and let me ride
Rock me, Lord, rock me, Lord
Hey
I got a home, you got a home, we got a home
I got a home, I got a home
You got a home, we going home
Goin' home!
Let's love, sweet love
Sweet chariot
Take me home, take me home
I'm going home!
@PetroleumJellay
How people have the audacity to say she can't sing with soul is beyond me. She's amazing and is great at all genres she chooses.
@fashamoore9322
+PetroleumJellay - I agree! I love this movie!
@Samuel115s
I totally agree she can definitely sing with soul. she has the whole package. beauty, singing, dancing and a bit of acting to.
@armywife2248
+PetroleumJellay They're just envious! She can sing her ass off!!
@cassandrabrown4928
probably because this version is different than what she has become, with garbage music
@ellissadler1688
+Sam just because you don't like someones style of singing does not mean it diminishes the person talent i like some her music not all but i am not gonna say she can't sing because that is false
@Chris-xz1ii
Beyonce's riffs and runs are insane maaaaannn.
@AbhishekSharma-pc8hs
She defines each scale correctly. So passionate, genius
@zingjohnson9124
man you can say what you want about her but you cant deny that that girl can sing
@bobbyhood2971
Right.