In a recent People interview, Dolly Parton shared her initial reaction upon hearing Beyoncé’s cover of her 1973 hit “Jolene” from the 2024 album Cowboy Carter.
“Well, I heard she was doing ‘Jolene.’ I was so excited. And then, when I heard it, I thought, ‘What?’” Dolly said. “It was completely different…I love it because, as a songwriter, you love to hear how other people interpret your songs”.
Beyoncé transformed polite pleading into assertive warning—replacing “I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man” with “I’m warning you, don’t come for my man.”
Parton praised the shift, calling Beyoncé “a magnificent artist” and expressing admiration for her “completely different take”.
Beyoncé’s rendition debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and pushed her to occupy three slots in the Hot Country Songs top 3—a historic achievement as the first Black woman to do so.
The two icons even crossed paths in the studio—Beyoncé included Dolly’s voice in the “Dolly P” interlude and Parton features on “Tyrant.”
Dolly confirmed their close collaboration, saying they “sent each other flowers and little love notes” and expressed interest in dueting at the 2025 Grammys.
So, readers: Do you prefer Dolly’s heartfelt plea or Beyoncé’s powerful reclamation? Let us know in the comments!
And if you love this story, be sure to share it and spark the conversation below.
“Well, I heard she was doing ‘Jolene.’ I was so excited. And then, when I heard it, I thought, ‘What?’” Dolly said. “It was completely different…I love it because, as a songwriter, you love to hear how other people interpret your songs”.
Beyoncé transformed polite pleading into assertive warning—replacing “I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man” with “I’m warning you, don’t come for my man.”
Parton praised the shift, calling Beyoncé “a magnificent artist” and expressing admiration for her “completely different take”.
Beyoncé’s rendition debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and pushed her to occupy three slots in the Hot Country Songs top 3—a historic achievement as the first Black woman to do so.
The two icons even crossed paths in the studio—Beyoncé included Dolly’s voice in the “Dolly P” interlude and Parton features on “Tyrant.”
Dolly confirmed their close collaboration, saying they “sent each other flowers and little love notes” and expressed interest in dueting at the 2025 Grammys.
So, readers: Do you prefer Dolly’s heartfelt plea or Beyoncé’s powerful reclamation? Let us know in the comments!
And if you love this story, be sure to share it and spark the conversation below.
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