‘Cowboy Carter’: Dolly Parton Explained Why She Wanted Beyoncé to Cover ‘Jolene’
Thanks to Beyoncé, a Dolly Parton dream is coming true. The Queen of Country once hoped that Beyoncé would cover her classic song “Jolene.” And now with Cowboy Carter, Parton can finally hear Beyoncé’s cover version that reinterprets the country classic.
Dolly Parton has wanted Beyoncé’s version of ‘Jolene’ since 2022
In a 2022 interview, Dolly Parton even expressed her admiration for Beyoncé, dreaming up a “Jolene” cover from the musician. At the time, Parton wasn’t sure if Beyonce had the song on her radar.
“I don’t know if she’s ever got the message,” Parton once said while on The Daily Show. “But wouldn’t that be killer? I think she’s fantastic and beautiful, and I love her music.”
With Trevor Noah noting that there have been over 400 renditions of “Jolene,” some versions even in different languages, the host asked why Parton specifically wanted Beyoncé to cover this song.
“I would just love to hear ‘Jolene’ done in just a big way, kind of like how Whitney [Houston] did my ‘I Will Always Love You,’” she continued. “[She’s] someone that can take my little songs and make ’em like powerhouses, so that would be a marvelous day in my life. if she ever does do ‘Jolene.’”
Beyoncé revealed ‘Jolene’ on the ‘Cowboy Carter’ tracklist
Beyoncé surprised the music world with the announcement of Cowboy Carter, her first country album. She teased the genre switch in the weeks leading up to the news, appearing in cowboy-inspired fashion. Then, the Grammy winner revealed that a past incident of feeling unwanted inspired her to release country music.
On March 27, 2024, Beyoncé released the Cowboy Carter tracklist. Included in the announcement was the title “Jolene” along with a reference to Dolly Parton.
Cowboy Carter and Beyoncé’s version of “Jolene” comes just a month after Parton’s original album celebrated its 50th anniversary. Parton released Jolene on Feb. 4, 1974, after the title track hit the charters in October 1973.
Parton expressed support for Cowboy Carter on social media. An Instagram post noted Parton’s excitement for Beyoncé’s country music. And on Twitter, the singer encouraged fans to listen to the original “Jolene” ahead of Beyoncé’s album release.
Beyoncé’s ‘Jolene’ lyrics reinterpret the Parton classic
Beyoncé didn’t deliver a traditional cover of “Jolene” when she released Cowboy Carter on March 29, 2024. Instead, she reinterpreted Dolly Parton’s classic as a warning for any woman thinking of disrupting her marriage.
Whereas Dolly Parton’s song begged Jolene not to steal her man, Beyoncé isn’t one to beg a woman for anything:
“Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m warnin’ you, don’t come for my man (Jolene)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Don’t take the chance because you think you can”
Beyoncé’s twist on the lyrics puts her in control of the situation, fitting the themes woven throughout her catalog and Cowboy Carter.
