Beyoncé featured a lyrically updated rendition of Dolly’s timeless 1973 hit “Jolene” on her newly dropped Cowboy Carter album.
In a creative build-up to the album’s release, Beyoncé teased fans with posts, sparking excitement and speculation.
Just a mere forty-eight hours before the anticipated drop of Cowboy Carter, the Grammy-Award-winning artist unveiled a captivating graphic, revealing the tracklist to her eager followers.
Additionally, the image showcased an expanded title for the project: “Cowboy Carter and the Rodeo Chitlin’ Circuit.”
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Following Beyoncé’s announcement about Cowboy Carter, Dolly expressed her belief that the singer intended to record “Jolene” for the album.
“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.”
Although Beyoncé fans learned that there would indeed be a track titled “Jolene” on the album, the final rendition is not exactly a Dolly Parton cover.
Beyoncé maintains the simplistic string-plucking production, nearly identical to Dolly’s original. However, she refreshes almost all the lyrics to tell an entirely new tale of the notorious other woman.
Beyoncé sings in the second line, “I’m warning you, don’t come for my man,” in place of Dolly’s, “I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man.”
Alongside altering the lyrics, Beyoncé incorporated a distinctive bridge in her rendition of “Jolene.” Departing from Dolly’s original, the bridge introduces a melody and showcases a call-and-response interplay between Beyoncé and her backing vocalists.
[Bridge: Beyoncé & Choir]
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
I crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
Good deeds roll in like tumblin’ weeds
Good and happy
‘Cause you can’t dig up them planted seeds
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’ma stand by her, she gon’ stand by me, Jolene
Dolly Parton responds to Beyoncé’s rendition of “Jolene”
Dolly Parton previously shared her support online, declaring herself a “big fan” and expressing her excitement for the album.
“I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album. So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single. Can’t wait to hear the full album! Love, Dolly.”
Now, Dolly has shared her thoughts on Beyoncé’s rendition of “Jolene” and the lyrics changes.
“Wow, I just heard Jolene. Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it!”
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In Beyoncé’s accompanying lyric video for her rendition of Dolly’s “Jolene,” the revised lyrics flash across the screen in red font. Additionally, Beyoncé pays homage to Dolly by prominently featuring a mug with her picture front and center in the video.
Listen to Beyoncé’s version of “Jolene” below! And see the new chorus lyrics in Beyoncé’s rendition compared to Dolly’s original.
Beyoncé’s “Jolene” (Updated Chorus Lyrics):
[Chorus]
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
[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 b*tch from Louisianne (Don’t try me)
Dolly Parton’s Original “Jolene” Chorus Lyrics:
[Chorus]
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him just because you can