Country music legend Dolly Parton has shared her candid thoughts on Beyoncé’s bold reinterpretation of her 1973 classic, “Jolene,” featured on Beyoncé’s 2024 album, Cowboy Carter.
A Bold Reimagining
Beyoncé’s version of “Jolene” diverges significantly from Parton’s original, transforming the song from a plea to a warning. Where Parton sang, “Please don’t take my man,” Beyoncé asserts, “I’m warning you, don’t come for my man.” This shift in tone caught Parton by surprise.
“Well, I think it was very bold of her,” Parton told E! News. “When they said she was gonna do ‘Jolene,’ I expected it to be my regular one, but it wasn’t.” Despite the unexpected changes, Parton expressed admiration for the new rendition. “But I love what she did to it,” she added. “As a songwriter, you love the fact that people do your songs no matter how they do them.”
Mutual Respect and Collaboration
Parton and Beyoncé’s collaboration extended beyond the song itself. Parton recorded a spoken-word introduction titled “Dolly P” for the track, playfully referencing Beyoncé’s 2016 hit “Sorry.” In the interlude, Parton says, “Hey, Miss Honey B. It’s Dolly P. You know that hussy with the good hair you sang about? Reminded me of someone I knew back when.”
The two artists also exchanged flowers and messages following the album’s release. “She sent me flowers. I sent her flowers,” Parton shared. “That kind of stuff.”
Embracing a New Interpretation
While some fans were divided over the new version, Parton embraced Beyoncé’s empowered take on the song. “She wasn’t gonna go beg some other woman like I did,” Parton noted. “She out here, ‘Bitch, you ain’t stealing my man.’”
Parton also praised Beyoncé’s foray into country music. “I was very proud of her album,” she said. “I thought she did a great job in country music. I thought it was great, and I was just happy she did ‘Jolene.’”