Dolly Parton Spills on Beyoncé’s Bold ‘Jolene’ Reinvention
Brace yourself for a dose of country-meets-gospel drama—Dolly Parton has finally weighed in on Beyoncé’s “completely different” cover of her classic “Jolene.” In a recent interview with People magazine, the Queen of Country confessed that she approached the news with a healthy dose of skepticism (yes, she gets it), only to be “blown away” by Queen Bey’s inventive spin. Dolly admitted she’s heard “just about every version imaginable,” yet Beyoncé managed to catch her off-guard by swapping the twang for a soaring, choir-backed arrangement that even the Grand Ole Opry crowd would raise an eyebrow at.
According to Dolly’s own words, the moment she heard Beyoncé’s powerhouse vocals layered over that gospel swell, she thought, “Well, colour me impressed.” She revealed that Beyoncé personally reached out to ensure she had the legend’s blessing, which earned extra points in Dolly’s book. “She wanted to do it right,” Dolly told People. Who knew asking permission could feel this glamorous? Billboard also reported Dolly’s praise, noting she couldn’t resist tweeting her admiration, calling Beyoncé “a true artist.” Rolling Stone later highlighted Dolly’s nod to Beyoncé’s vocal prowess, saying it “reminds us why ‘Jolene’ remains endlessly adaptable.”
Let’s not pretend this was just a friendly cover swap. Dolly confessed she initially worried the iconic plea to “please don’t take my man”—a song born from her country roots—might lose its heart in the R&B realm. Surprise, surprise: it didn’t. Instead, Beyoncé’s version injects fresh emotion without tossing out the pain at the song’s core. Dolly even joked that she might have to update her own setlist to keep up with the competition—eyeing Beyoncé’s dramatic chord progressions like they’re the latest Broadway hit.
Of course, superfans on Twitter erupted, debating which rendition triumphs. Some say Dolly’s original remains the irreplaceable tearjerker, while others hail Beyoncé’s take as an anthem for modern heartbreak. Honestly, who wouldn’t want two powerhouse versions at their disposal? It’s like choosing between chocolate or vanilla—why limit yourself?
So there you have it: Dolly Parton’s admittedly surprised praise for Beyoncé’s fearless “Jolene” revamp. She may have braced for the worst, but Queen Dolly is waving the white flag (of gratitude) after hearing Beyoncé transform a country classic into a gospel-infused showstopper. Nothing earth-shattering here, but watching two musical dynamos collide sure makes for entertaining listening.
And that’s your daily reality check. You’re welcome.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Billboard, Rolling Stone
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
