Bruce Cockburn Denies Similarity Between Beyoncé's 'Texas Hold 'Em' and His 'Franklin' Theme Song
The renowned Canadian singer-songwriter has heard about the comparisons on social media, but he has released a new statement saying he just doesn't hear it.
Bruce Cockburn
Since its release during the Super Bowl, fans on TikTok and other social media platforms have been comparing Beyoncé's No. 1 hit "Texas Hold 'Em" to an unlikely song: the theme tune to Canadian '90s/2000s children's TV series Franklin.
In a series of viral clips, some of which have millions of views, users compare the two songs, some calling it a familiar melody they've finally put their finger on.
@ashleighaedan Now go listen to the Franklin theme song and tell me these arent the same #tiktokcanada
The criticism is mostly fun and lighthearted, but it reached the point where it caught the attention of the Franklin theme song's original composer: renowned Canadian singer-songwriter Bruce Cockburn.
Cockburn released a statement through his publicist Eric Alper:
"I think Beyoncé's 'Texas Hold 'Em' is a good record," he says. "Unfortunately, I can't claim to have had any part in writing it. 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!"
"Texas Hold 'Em" is the first song by a Black artist to reach No. 1 on Billboard's Country Songs chart, and is currently No. 1 on the Hot 100 and the Canadian Hot 100.
For his part, Cockburn has been on the Billboard Hot 100 twice. He hit No. 22 for his 1980 song "Wondering Where The Lions Are" and No. 88 for his 1985 song "If I Had A Rocket Launcher."
Though Cockburn had no hand in the writing of the Beyoncé hit, it does have three Canadian songwriters credited: Nathan Ferraro, bülow and Lowell. Billboard Canada talked to Ferraro last week about the songwriting team and how it felt to be part of such a big hit.
“Honestly, since I was 14, I had the vision that I would write songs that could have a major impact [like 'Texas Hold 'Em'],” he said. “And it's pretty delusional because it's just so, so far away. I grew up in Collingwood, Ontario. But you just put one foot in front of the other and write lots and lots of songs and don’t give up. And that's led me here.”
