SHOCKING NEWS: Just 1 hour ago, in a recent People interview, Dolly Parton criticized Beyonce’s rudeness, and now the two are…

Dolly Parton Reveals She Didn’t Know Beyoncé Was Putting Her Own Spin on ‘Jolene’: ‘It Was Very Bold of Her’

Dolly Parton, the queen of country music, has been known for her graciousness when it comes to other artists covering her songs, but even she was surprised when Beyoncé decided to put her own bold twist on the iconic hit “Jolene.”

While Dolly had already been aware that Beyoncé would be covering “Jolene” on her Cowboy Carter album, she was taken aback when she first heard the song’s updated lyrics. “When they said she was gonna do ‘Jolene,’ I expected it to be my regular one, but it wasn’t,” Parton told E! News. “But I love what she did to it.”

Beyoncé, known for her bold artistic choices, reimagined “Jolene” with a modern touch, flipping the song’s original narrative. Instead of pleading for her man not to be taken, Beyoncé’s version empowered the character of Jolene’s adversary, with lyrics like, “I’m warning you, don’t come for my man,” flipping the script on the vulnerability in Parton’s original. The lyrics continued with, “Takes more than beauty and seductive stares/To come between a family and a happy man,” adding a new layer of self-assuredness to the character who was once the victim in the original.

As Parton shared, “She wasn’t gonna go beg some other woman like I did,” referring to her own pleading in the original version. Dolly’s playful response to Beyoncé’s new take was, “S—, get out here, bitch. You ain’t stealin’ mine.” This shift reflected a change in perspective, with Beyoncé asserting the power and control that her character holds.

Parton’s enthusiasm for Beyoncé’s new take on the song was palpable. “You love the fact that people do your songs no matter how they do them,” Parton remarked, explaining that as a songwriter, it’s rewarding to hear others put their spin on her music.

For Parton, who has long admired Beyoncé’s artistry, this cover was a delight. Dolly had actually been lobbying for Beyoncé to cover “Jolene” for years. After hearing the song’s release, she couldn’t contain her excitement, posting on X (formerly Twitter) on March 29, “Wow, I just heard Jolene. Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble, and she deserves it!”

Parton also posted a heartfelt message celebrating Beyoncé’s debut in the country genre, congratulating her for her Billboard Hot Country number one single in February. “I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album,” Parton said on Instagram. “So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single.”

Beyoncé’s unique version of “Jolene” has certainly captured the attention of both her fans and Parton’s, offering a fresh and empowering perspective while maintaining the essence of the song that made it a classic. For Dolly, it’s another example of the power of music to transcend time, evolving while still holding onto its original soul.

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