One of the best-known country songs of all time was written decades ago. Many of the younger generation would be unfamiliar with the song if it weren’t for the fact that their favorite singers recognize how well the song was done and have taken it upon themselves to redo it.
This includes Beyoncé, who may be known for her pop music but recently, she is also known for her ability to sing any type of song. This includes country music, and her fans were thrilled to hear her singing it and even writing some new country songs.
Beyoncé puts her own fiery spin on “Jolene,” changing the lyrics and the overall tone of the original song.
Where Parton begs and pleads with a woman not to steal her man, Bey sends warning shots to a suitor: “I can easily understand why you’re attracted to my man / But you don’t want this smoke, so shoot your shot for someone else.” She continues by making her vengeance more explicit, singing, “I had to have this talk with you ’cause I hate to have to act the fool / Your peace depends on how you move, Jolene.”
Parton referenced the “Jolene” cover on Wednesday night, posting an image of the album’s tracklist to her Instagram stories and writing, “Play the original while you wait for @beyonce’s ‘Jolene.’” On Thursday, she posted a throwback photo of her to her grid, captioning the pic “Just call me Dolly P” and using Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” as the attached sound.
“Jolene” is one of two notable covers on “Cowboy Carter,” as Beyoncé duets with Tanner Adell on a rendition of the Beatles’ “Blackbird” (entitled “Blackbird”). Elsewhere on the album, she folds in numerous interpolations including a reference to the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’” and purportedly Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” on the Miley Cyrus duet “II Most Wanted.”
“Cowboy Carter” arrives less than two months after Beyoncé surprise-released her dual singles “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” during the Super Bowl in early February. She explained in an Instagram post that she was inspired to create “Cowboy Carter” after an incident where she didn’t feel “welcomed,” likely referring to a controversy-stirring performance alongside the Dixie Chicks (as they were then known) at the 2016 Country Music Association Awards.