Beyoncé and Miley Cyrus reunite on “II Most Wanted,” the second single from Cowboy Carter. This is an old-school duet featuring two of the most powerful voices in pop music.
Each Beyoncé album is an event. But Cowboy Carter’s the release wasn’t just a major pop event, it was a revolutionary event.
She became the first black woman to top the country albums chart, and she already made history in February when she topped the country singles chart with “Texas Hold ‘Em.”
“II Most Wanted” blends pop and country royalty with indie rock to create a sort of outlaw love story.
A love story between Bonnie and Clyde
Beyoncé’s star-studded duet with Cyrus is a love song about the road, and like most road trips, it’s about the destination. The song begins with young love but eventually leads to aging and the sad reality that everything must end.
However, Beyoncé and Cyrus are living in the moment, with their hands out the window, feeling the air against their palms. They step on the gas pedal as if fleeing a high-speed chase, which gives the song its title.
I know we’re taking the plunge, but we’re both still young
One day we won’t be anymore
I didn’t know what I wanted until I saw your face
I said goodbye to my old self
Came out of nowhere, gave no warning
Pedal so heavy, like the two most sought after, and I
I don’t know what you’re doing tonight, but I
The dusty highway theme continues with an outlaw metaphor for young lovers. But this couple didn’t rob a bank. Instead, they are eager for new romance while overcoming the shadow of old age and the inevitability of death.
Beyoncé and Cyrus tell this story over gentle acoustic guitars echoing Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide.”
I’ll be your date until the day I die
Smoke out the window going down the 405
And I’ll be your backseat baby
I drive you crazy whenever you want
Whoa, I’ll be your date until the day I die
The credits
“II Most Wanted” was written by Beyoncé, Miley Cyrus, Michael Pollack and Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic. Tedder and Beyoncé collaborated on the 2009 hit “Halo,” which was featured on her third album. I am… Sasha fierce.
Beyoncé, Cyrus and Pollack produced the song along with Shawn Everett, known for his work with The War on Drugs, Kacey Musgraves, Alabama Shakes and Julian Casablancas of The Strokes.
Full album credits and liner notes for Cowboy Carter are listed on Beyoncé’s official website.
The war on drugs
The duet was made with an all-star group mixing studio legends with indie rock musicians.
War on Drugs frontman Adam Granduciel plays electric guitar on “II Most Wanted.” Granduciel posted on the group’s Instagram that it’s actually him with his Fender Jazzmaster on the song.
Everett co-produced and mixed The War on Drugs’ 2021 album I don’t live here anymore and designed and mixed their 2017 version A deeper understanding. Granduciel is famous for passing Americana sounds through ambient and shoegaze filters. His subtle textures on “II Most Wanted” add a psychedelic touch to the acoustic production.
And if you’re burning up the highway like Bruce Springsteen, Granduciel is the right man to help you create the soundtrack.
Additionally, Matt Pynn recorded Pedal Steel with his solo part blending with Granduciel’s celestial melodies. Pynn has worked with Cyrus, Post Malone and Nikki Lane.
Nickel Creek, Foxygen and Pino Palladino
Nickel Creek siblings Sara and Sean Watkins also appear on “II Most Wanted,” playing violin and acoustic guitar.
Foxygen’s Jonathan Rado played acoustic guitar and keys while adding additional production. Meanwhile, the independent musicians were joined by legendary bassist Pino Palladino, whose impressive credits include The Who, Jeff Beck, D’Angelo, John Mayer and Nine Inch Nails.
Justin Brown plays drums on acoustic guitar and Pollack plays Hammond organ on the recording.
“It’s a Beyoncé album”
“II Most Wanted” features two giant voices in a picturesque love song. He debuted at No. 6 on Signposts Hot 100, with Beyoncé’s cover of “Jolene” close behind at No. 7. Speaking of “Jolene,” Cyrus is Dolly Parton’s goddaughter, creating yet another thread in a well-woven album.
Cowboy Carter is sprawling and unpredictable, and most headlines have focused on the world’s biggest pop star making a country album. But she clarified things on her Instagram account, saying: “This is not a Country album. It’s a Beyoncé album.
Although “II Most Wanted” shares familiar sounds with an iconic partner in Miley Cyrus, it is uniquely and undeniably about Beyoncé.
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Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images