Who knew that one of Beyoncé’s biggest rivals in 2024 would be… a Canadian turtle from the 1990s?
Technically, it’s not Franklin that currently has a beef with Beyoncé over her “country” song “Texas Hold ‘Em.” It’s actually most of the internet, who just happened to discover that the Franklin theme song sounds eerily similar to Beyoncé’s new country track.
If you need some convincing that the two songs sound almost identical, this video below should help to showcase the striking resemblance:
Just in case you still aren’t recalling who Franklin the Turtle is, the show titled Franklin premiered in 1997 and aired new shows up until 2004. It was a very popular children’s program, and followed the life of Franklin as he grew up and learned new things about life.
Not only did the show inspire kids to become adventurous and independent, it also (possibly) inspired Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em.” At least that’s what people are saying on the internet. Some are going as far to say that the similarities between the two songs are undeniable, or as some of have put it, a “blatant” rip off:
But guess what? The composer of Franklin’s theme, Bruce Cockburn, finally came out from wherever he was to let the world know his personal stance on the song’s similar sound.
Cockburn spoke to People Magazine, and had this to say about Beyoncé’s new song, and all the noise that has come with it comparing the tune to the children’s TV show theme that he created:
“I think Beyoncé’s ‘Texas Hold ’Em’ is a good record. 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.”
Nice guy, eh? But, there you have it. The composer admitted that his song and Beyoncé’s definitely sound similar, but that’s pretty much all there is to it. I hate to recklessly speculate, though I’m going to anyways. Sounds like something that was paid millions of dollars underneath the table would say… I’m kidding. Of course, who knows who owns the rights to the Franklin theme. Cockburn might not have the final say in whether or not this one goes to court.
Just so you can do your own comparisons, here is Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which has recently reached the number one spot on the Billboard Top 100:
And here is the banger that is known as Franklin’s theme song:
