Dolly Parton recently expressed her admiration for Beyoncé’s rendition of her classic song “Jolene.” The iconic country singer, 78, spoke to Entertainment Tonight about how honored she felt by the cover. Beyoncé, 42, reimagined the 1973 hit for her Cowboy Carter album, infusing it with her own unique style and altering some of the lyrics.
In their interview, Parton shared that although she and Beyoncé have not had a direct conversation about the cover, they have exchanged messages and flowers. “She sent me flowers. I sent her flowers,” Parton mentioned, highlighting their mutual appreciation.
Parton praised Beyoncé for making the song her own. “She took it and did her own version of it. She wasn’t gonna be humble enough to say some woman’s gonna be able to take her man,” Parton noted, referring to the updated lyrics. Beyoncé’s version includes assertive lines like “I’m warning you, don’t come for my man,” replacing the original plea of “please don’t take my man.”
Parton humorously remarked, “She kinda Beyoncé’d it up, so to speak. But I was so honored that she did the song.” The country legend also expressed surprise at her goddaughter Miley Cyrus’s participation in the Cowboy Carter album, unaware until the album’s release that Cyrus featured on the track “II Most Wanted.”
When asked about the possibility of a collaborative performance with Beyoncé and Cyrus, Parton responded with enthusiasm, “Well, that would be amazing, wouldn’t it? Well, it could happen. Never say never.”
Reflecting on Beyoncé’s bold interpretation, Parton told E! News, “Well, I think it was very bold of her. When they said she was gonna do ‘Jolene,’ I expected it to be my regular one, but it wasn’t. But I love what she did to it.” As a songwriter, Parton appreciates when others cover her songs, regardless of the changes they make.
Beyoncé’s version of “Jolene” stands out with lines such as, “Takes more than beauty and seductive stares/To come between a family and a happy man,” and “Jolene, I’m a woman too/The games you play are nothing new/So you don’t want no heat with me, Jolene.”
Adding a playful touch, Parton made a surprise appearance on Beyoncé’s latest album. In an interlude titled “Dolly P” leading into the “Jolene” cover, Parton says, “Hey, miss Honey Bey. It’s Dolly P. You know that hussy with the good hair you sang about?” She continues with a witty nod to Beyoncé’s “Sorry” from her 2016 Lemonade album.
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This heartfelt exchange between two musical icons showcases the mutual respect and admiration they share, highlighting how timeless music can evolve across generations.
