Eric Gales, a celebrated modern blues legend known for his prodigious talent since childhood, was close to playing the electric guitar solo on Beyoncé’s 2022 album Cowboy Carter. The opportunity to contribute to one of the year’s most high-profile releases arose amid Gales’ ongoing prominence in the blues scene and recent collaborations, such as his work with Buddy Guy on the Michael B. Jordan film Sinners.
Producer Raphael Saadiq’s Insights on the Solo
Raphael Saadiq, a key producer and songwriter on Beyoncé’s record, shared details about the decision-making process behind the guitar solo on the album’s eighth track, “Bodyguard.” He described how Beyoncé specifically requested a solo and even asked for it to be extended, a rare demand in contemporary music. Saadiq explained,
“She wanted a solo. Bey wanted a solo,”
highlighting her knowledge of her audience’s appreciation for this musical element.
“And I did a solo. And she was like, ‘Can we make it longer?’ And you never hear that from an artist in 2025 – playing a guitar solo, they want it longer. But she knows her audience, and she knows that is rare.”
Saadiq recalled the added pressure of delivering a 16-bar solo, saying,
“And she’s like, ‘I think we could do that. We can have a 16-bar solo on this record.’ So that was a little bit of pressure, to go back in there and play, like, a 16-bar solo.”
Why Eric Gales Didn’t End Up Playing the Solo
Although Saadiq performed the solo himself, he had initially intended to call Eric Gales for the role. Unfortunately, Gales was unavailable due to touring commitments at that time. Saadiq acknowledged his admiration for Gales’ talent, stating,
“I would’ve called my boy. I would’ve called Eric Gales,”
and added,
“Eric Gales is one of the most amazing guitar players in the world today. He’s from Memphis, Delta blues. He played a lot of guitar in Sinners. But I would’ve called him to play, but he was on tour, so I had to play it. And it came out good.”
Other Distinguished Guitarists on Cowboy Carter
Besides Saadiq and Gales, Beyoncé’s album featured contributions from an impressive lineup of musicians, including Gary Clark Jr., Jon Batiste, Nile Rodgers, and Justus West. These renowned guitarists and session players helped shape what many are calling Beyoncé’s magnum opus, blending diverse styles and expertise into the record’s sound.
The Impact of This Nearly Missed Collaboration
Eric Gales’ near-involvement on the 16-bar guitar solo demonstrates the high level of musicianship Beyoncé sought for Cowboy Carter, emphasizing her willingness to embrace extended instrumental moments in her music. Although Gales did not perform on the track, his connection to the project through Saadiq highlights the esteem in which he is held among top musicians. This episode also underscores the challenges artists face in balancing touring schedules with studio opportunities.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Beyoncé change her name?
A. Beyoncé has not made any official name changes. She continues to use Beyoncé Knowles as her professional name, even after marrying Jay-Z.
Q. Why did people unfollow Beyoncé?
A. Beyoncé often attended P. Diddy’s parties, making people online think she might have known what was happening. Social media users started sharing conspiracy theories with J. Cole’s song “She Knows.” Some of her fans also decided to unfollow her on different social media platforms.
Q. Why doesn’t Beyoncé act anymore?
A. Beyoncé chose to leave acting behind after appearing in Cadillac Records, according to her mom, Tina Knowles. Although she was successful in movies, like her praised role in Dreamgirls, she decided to concentrate on different projects. She even gave her earnings from Cadillac Records to a drug rehabilitation center.
Q. Did Beyoncé lose 4 million followers?
A. Widespread rumors on social media platform X claimed her and Jay-Z’s link to Diddy’s legal issues and Aaliyah’s death caused the drop. However, these rumors are not true.
