Current:Home > reviews'Cowboy Carter' collaborator Dolly Parton reacts to Beyoncé's 'Jolene' cover: 'Wow' -TradeCircle
'Cowboy Carter' collaborator Dolly Parton reacts to Beyoncé's 'Jolene' cover: 'Wow'
View
Date:2025-04-17 07:00:09
Dolly Parton heard Beyoncé's remake of her 1973 classic "Jolene," and she approves.
"Wow, I just heard Jolene," the country music legend posted on Instagram Friday. "Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it! Love, Dolly P."
Beyoncé changed many of the lyrics on the track that bridges the gap from "Jolene" to "Becky with the good hair" from Beyoncé's 2016 hit "Sorry." In Parton's version of "Jolene," she pleads with a rival not to steal her man. However, Yoncé puts her own spin on the song, warning her adversary and affirming the strength of her relationship.
Parton appears twice on Beyoncé's new album, "Cowboy Carter," which released Friday. In interlude "Dolly P." she refers to the singer as "Miss Honey Bey."
Parton also appears on "Tyrant," kicking off the track with "time to strike up a match and light up this juke joint."
Prior to the release of the album, Parton hinted to Knox News, part of the USA TODAY Network, that Bey might sample or cover the classic.
"Well, I think she has! I think she's recorded 'Jolene,' and I think it's probably gonna be on her country album, which I'm very excited about that," Parton said earlier this month during a one-on-one interview about the season opening of her Dollywood theme park.
Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' is here:Start with these 5 songs
How Beyoncé's 'Jolene' lyrics compare to Dolly Parton's
In the original version, Parton begins by begging: "Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene / I'm begging of you please don't take my man / Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene / Please don't take him just because you can."
Beyoncé tweaks the tune, singing: "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."
Parton continues to plead throughout the rest of the song with lyrics such as: "Your beauty is beyond compare / With flaming locks of auburn hair / With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green / Your smile is like a breath of spring / Your voice is soft like summer rain / And I cannot compete with you, Jolene."
Parton's second verse goes: "He talks about you in his sleep / And there's nothin' I can do to keep / From cryin' when he calls your name, Jolene / And I can easily understand / How you could easily take my man / But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene."
Finally, Parton sings Verse 3: "You could have your choice of men / But I could never love again / He's the only one for me, Jolene / I had to have this talk with you / My happiness depends on you/ And whatever you decide to do, Jolene."
In her remake, Beyoncé sings about her long relationship with husband Jay-Z and their three children together:
"You’re beautiful, beyond compare / Takes more than beauty and seductive stares / To come between a family and a happy man / Jolene, I'm a woman too / Thе games you play are nothing new / So you don't want no hеat with me, Jolene / We've been deep in love for twenty years / I raised that man, I raised his kids / I know my man better than he knows himself (Yeah, what?) / I can easily understand / Why you're attracted to my man / But you don't want this smoke, so shoot your shot with someone else (You heard me)."
Our critic's comprehensive review:'Cowboy Carter' is a little bit country — and a whole lot more
She goes on to kick the fierceness up a notch throughout the song, including in the second chorus: "Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene / I'm warnin' you, woman, find you your own man / Jolene, I know I’m a queen, Jolene / I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisianne (Don't try me)."
In the bridge, Beyoncé is joined by a choir as she sings about her confidence in her relationship: "Me and my man crossed those valleys / Highs and lows and everything between / Good deeds roll in like tumblin' weeds / I sleep good, happy / 'Cause you can’t dig up our planted seeds / I know my man's gon' stand by me, breathin' in my gentle breeze (Ah)."
veryGood! (99)
Related
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Broad City Star Abbi Jacobson Marries Jodi Balfour
- Biden border action prompts concern among migrant advocates: People are going to have fewer options to access protection
- Kendall Jenner spills what she saw on Gerry Turner's phone before 'Golden Bachelor' finale
- 'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
- Save 50% on Aerie Swimwear, 30% on Frontgate, 25% on Kiehl's, 50% on REI & More Deals
- What is Hunter Biden on trial for? The gun charges against him, explained
- Dispute over mailed ballots in a New Jersey county delays outcome of congressional primary
- Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
- General Mills turned blind eye to decades of racism at Georgia plant, Black workers allege
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- A realistic way to protect kids from social media? Find a middle ground
- Get Rid of Excess Cuticles in 15 Seconds With This $4.97 Miracle in a Bottle
- Ex-Detroit Riverfront CFO embezzled $40M, spent funds on lavish lifestyle, prosecutors say
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Maura Healey, America’s first lesbian governor, oversees raising of Pride flag at Statehouse
- Matt Rife Shares He's Working on Getting Better After Medical Emergency
- Levi Wright’s Mom Shares Gut-Wrenching Final Moments With 3-Year-Old Before Toy Tractor Accident
Recommendation
'No Good Deed': Who's the killer in the Netflix comedy? And will there be a Season 2?
Salmonella linked to recalled cucumbers could be two separate strains; FDA, CDC investigate
A court ruling will allow new student housing at University of California, Berkeley’s People’s Park.
Jessica Alba Reveals How She and Cash Warren Reconnected After Previous Breakup
Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
The carnivore diet is popular with influencers. Here's what experts say about trying it.
SpaceX launch livestream: How to watch Starship's fourth test flight
Texas Droughts Are Getting Much More Expensive