In a recent interview with E! News, country music icon Dolly Parton revealed her surprise and delight at Beyoncé’s unexpected rendition of her classic song "Jolene". The reimagined track appears on Beyoncé’s latest album, "Cowboy Carter", and features notably different lyrics from the 1973 original.
“When they said she was gonna do "Jolene," I expected it to be my regular one, but it wasn’t,” Parton shared. “But I love what she did to it. And as a songwriter, you love the fact that people do your songs no matter how they do them.”
Parton expressed her admiration for the new lyrics Beyoncé crafted: “She wasn’t gonna go beg some other woman like I did. ‘Don’t steal my man.’ ‘Sh*t, get out here, b*tch. You ain’t stealin’ mine.'”
Dolly praised Beyoncé’s venture into country music, noting she was thrilled with how the superstar handled the genre. “I, of course, would have loved to have heard how she would have done it in its original way. But of course, you know, it’s Beyoncé. Yeah, her life is different than mine.”
In addition to the "Jolene" cover, Parton also contributed to the "Cowboy Carter" album with a track called "Tyrant" and an interlude titled "Dolly P", which features a heartfelt message from Parton leading into the cover.
Looking ahead, Parton is open to the idea of performing "Jolene" live with Beyoncé at the next Grammy Awards, should the album receive a nomination. “Why of course I would—if I’m available, if I’m not caught up in something I cannot get out of, yeah, that’d be wonderful,” Dolly enthused. “I mean, who wouldn’t wanna sing "Jolene" with Beyoncé?”
Recently, Dolly Parton also announced her forthcoming 50th studio album, titled "Dolly Parton & Family: Smoky Mountain DNA – Family, Faith & Fables". This album will feature songs performed by various members of her immediate and extended family, spanning several generations. It will also include voice recordings of late relatives.
Accompanying the album is a four-part docuseries tracing her family’s roots from 17th-century England to their current home in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. This series promises to provide a deeply personal look into the history and heritage that shaped one of country music’s most beloved stars.
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