The stage is set for December 25th. C.J. Stroud and the Houston Texans, Lamar Jackson leading the Baltimore Ravens, and Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter. Enough star power for you? Queen Bey herself is set to take the stage this Christmas Day as the halftime performer of the Texans vs. Ravens game in her hometown of Houston, Texas. The multi-Grammy award-winning artist announced her performance earlier this month, titling it “A Cowboy Carter Christmas.”
Christmas Day will be the first live performance of her 8th studio album Cowboy Carter — a pop-culture phenomenon that expands beyond Bey’s typical pop/R&B range for a 27-track record. With featured artists ranging from Shaboozey to Post Malone to Miley Cyrus, Cowboy Carter bends the standards of typical genre by peeling back the layers of country music and eloquently sewing in pop, R&B, and soul to create not a “country album,” but a ground-breaking Beyoncé record. Cowboy Carter explores the regional subcultures of the American South and proves Bey’s experimental range is nothing short of incredible.
The 43-year-old proudly hailing from Houston and taking the stage on a cherished holiday makes Christmas Day’s halftime performance no typical intermission. Fans can expect nothing other than a dazzling, entertaining performance from Bey, but what songs will make the cut for her setlist?
Typically, NFL halftime shows last around 12-15 minutes, giving Beyoncé enough time for anywhere from three to six songs, depending on if she sings any from intro to outro. Here are a few songs we should see Queen Bey bring to life on December 25th:
Cowboy Carter Christmas
- “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” — This is a no-brainer. “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” served as the album’s co-lead single with “16 Carriages” and blends country music with pop in a way that captivates listeners. Not only is the song nominated for song of the year at the 67th annual Grammy Awards, but “TEXAS HOLD ‘EM” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and dominated the social media platform TikTok. If she doesn’t perform this song, water isn’t wet.
- “YA YA” — These boots are made for walkin’, anyone? “YA YA” mixes vibrant funk with toe-tapping lyrics and hypnotizing rock n’ roll drums, cultivating an absolute, all-around banger. Bey samples Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” throughout, giving homage to a classic jam and adding in a soulful twist that fits perfectly in Cowboy Carter’s experimental feel. The way the intro invites the listener in, I can see this as the opener of her performance.
- “JOLENE” — Beyoncé’s version of Dolly Parton’s iconic 1973 hit, “JOLENE” is a beautiful rendition that would be perfect for the big stage — especially if Parton herself makes an appearance! (I’m shooting for the stars, there).
- “SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN” ft. Shaboozey— Another fan favorite, “SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN” comments on Bey’s fame in the music industry and how she managed to stay true to her roots. Featuring breakout artist Shaboozey, who flawlessly combines country with a hip-hop feel, “SWEET HONEY BUCKIIN” is a vibe-y ballad that could be a bridge to an electric closing song.
OTHERS:
- “TYRANT” ft. Dolly Parton
- “II HANDS II HEAVEN”
Texans vs. Ravens kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET and will be streamed on Netflix. If there is one thing we can be sure about with this matchup and halftime performance, sparks will be flying!
