Music

Beyoncé’s ‘Break My Soul’ samples Big Freedia and house classic ‘Show Me Love’

It's likely no coincidence that the song is being released during Pride Month and what is considered Pride Week in Houston.

Joey Guerra June 20, 2022 Updated: June 21, 2022, 7:26 am

Beyonce is back and calling us to the dance floor.

Photo: Larry Busacca/PW

RING THE ALARM -- Beyoncé is here.

The Houston superstar dropped "Break My Soul" late Monday night, the first listen from her new album "Renaissance." And if it's indicative of the full album, we're about to dance through the summer.

PRIDE GUIDE:Celebrate with drag shows, parties, bars and other events in Houston

"Break My Soul" is built on a sample of the house classic"Show Me Love" by Robin S. That 1993 hit is considered one of the greatest dance songs of all time and a gay anthem. It also samples "Explode" By New Orleans bounce queen Big Freedia.

It's likely no coincidence that the song is being released during Pride Month and what is consideredPride Week in Houston, the lead-up to the weekend's parade and festival. The song's title hook -- "You won't break my soul" -- could be a rallying cry for the LGBTQ+ community, particularly in Texas, where Republic politicians have repeatedly tried to legalize hate.

It's the Pride anthem we didn't know we were getting:

"BEY IS BACK AND I'M SLEEPING REAL GOOD AT NIGHT
THE QUEENS IN THE FRONT AND THE DOMS IN THE BACK
AIN'T TAKIN' NO FLICKS BUT THE WHOLE CLIQUE SNAPPED"

"It feels surreal to be on the track with the Queen Beyonce once again I’m so honored to be apart of this special moment I’m forever grateful lord, someone please catch me," Freediatweeted shortly after the release.

"Show Me Love" has frequently been sampled by other artists, includingCharli XCX,rapper Kid InkandJason Derulo. But only Beyoncé has the power to make the decades-old songtrend on Twitter.

"Renaissance," Queen B's first album since 2016's "Lemonade," is set for a July 29 release.British Vogue photographerRafael Pavarotti described the album as, "Music that makes you rise, that turns your mind to cultures and subcultures, to our people past and present, music that will unite so many on the dance floor, music that touches your soul."

The album is said to featuredance and country-leaning tracksproduced by Ryan Tedder and Raphael Saadiq.

  • Joey Guerra
    Joey Guerra

    Joey Guerra is the music critic for the Houston Chronicle. He also covers various aspects of pop culture. He has reviewed hundreds of concerts and interviewed hundreds of celebrities, from Justin Bieber to Dolly Parton to Beyonce. He's appeared as a regular correspondent on Fox26 and was head judge and director of the Pride Superstar singing competition for a decade. He has been named journalist of the year multiple times by both OutSmart Magazine and the FACE Awards. He also covers various aspects of pop culture, including the local drag scene and "RuPaul's Drag Race."

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