"Beyoncé's 'Texas Hold Em' Sparks Controversy: Fans Draw Striking Similarities to 'Franklin' TV Show Theme, Composer Weighs In"
"Texas Hold 'Em" is a track by the American singer-songwriter Beyoncé, slated to appear on her forthcoming eighth studio album, tentatively named Act II.
Ever since Queen Bey, 42, released her hit track on Feb. 11, fans have been pointing out resemblances between the two songs.
On social media, users are noting similarities between Beyoncé's country hit "Texas Hold 'Em" and the theme song of the Canadian cartoon show Franklin.
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On TikTok, fans are going wild over this song. Some are debating whether it qualifies as a country track, while others think it bears resemblance to the Franklin theme song. Meanwhile, some are simply finding it refreshing and are eager to groove to its vibes.
Meanwhile, Bruce Cockburn, the composer of the animated series' theme song, acknowledges the similarities but asserts that "Texas Hold 'Em" is entirely Beyoncé's creation.
In response to the comparisons, Cockburn, who created and sang the theme song for the cartoon series that aired from 1997 to 2004, is expressing his opinion.
“I believe Beyoncé's 'Texas Hold 'Em' is a great song. However, I must clarify that I didn't contribute to its creation," he explains to PEOPLE in a statement. "While the rhythm feels akin to my Franklin TV series theme song, that's where the similarities end in my opinion. 'Texas Hold 'Em' belongs to her, and I wish her the best with it!"
"Texas Hold 'Em" climbs to the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100, just a week after debuting at No. 2. This achievement marks the superstar's ninth chart-topper and her first since "Break My Soul" in 2022.
Previously, the single made history as the superstar's first No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart. Before "Texas Hold 'Em," since the inception of the charts in 1958, Beyoncé is the first woman to reach the summit of both the Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts.