It appears like Dolly Parton made the right hint. Following the country music icon’s declaration that she thought Beyoncé would interpolate or sample her 1973 hit song “Jolene” for her upcoming album, Bey has indeed done so—her eagerly awaited new album “Cowboy Carter” features a version of the song with modified lyrics and a different song structure.
Parton kept some information hidden by making two appearances on the album: she opens the trap-meets-country track “Tyrant” and has her own “Dolly P” interlude right before “Jolene.” “Hi, this is Dolly P., Miss Honey B. Parton asks, “You know that hussy with the good hair you sing about?” in reference to Beyoncé’s 2016 song “Sorry,” which included the phrase “Becky with the good hair.” She reminds me of someone I used to know, yet her fiery auburn hair, bless her heart, is different. It’s simply a different color of hair, but the pain is the same.
Beyoncé gives “Jolene” a furious makeover, altering both the song’s lyrics and general vibe. Bey threatens a potential suitor with the line, “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,” as Parton begs and pleads with a woman not to steal her lover. 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,” she goes on to exact more explicit retribution.
On Wednesday night, Parton made mention to the “Jolene” cover when she wrote, “Play the original while you wait for @beyonce’s ‘Jolene.'” She also shared a screenshot of the album’s tracklist on her Instagram stories. She uploaded a vintage picture of herself to her grid on Thursday, adding the message, “Just call me Dolly P,” and attaching the song “Texas Hold ‘Em” by Beyoncé.
One of the two standout covers on “Cowboy Carter” is “Jolene,” in which Beyoncé and Tanner Adell perform a duet of the Beatles’ “Blackbird” (called “Blackbird”). She incorporates multiple interpolations throughout the album, including as references to Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’,” the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” and what sounds like Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” on the Miley Cyrus duet “II Most Wanted.”
Less than two months have passed since Beyoncé unexpectedly dropped her dual singles “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” during the Super Bowl in early February. Now, “Cowboy Carter” is here. She said on Instagram that she was motivated to write “Cowboy Carter” following an experience in which she didn’t feel “welcome.” This is probably a reference to the contentious performance she had with the Dixie Chicks (as they were known at the time) at the 2016 Country Music Association Awards.
“Jolene” by Beyoncé lyrics
[Intro]
(Jolene)
(Jolene)
[Chorus: Beyoncé]
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
[Verse 1: Beyoncé]
You’re beautiful, beyond compare
Takes more than beauty and seductive stares
To come between a family and a happy man
Jolene, I’m a woman too
Thе games you play are nothing new
So you don’t want no hеat with me, Jolene
We’ve been deep in love for twenty years
I raised that man, I raised his kids
I know my man better than he knows himself (Yeah, what?)
I can easily understand
Why you’re attracted to my man
But you don’t want this smoke, so shoot your shot with someone else (You heard me)
[Chorus: Beyoncé]
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 bitch from Louisianne (Don’t try me)
[Verse 2: Beyoncé]
There’s a thousand girls in every room
That act as desperate as you do
You a bird, go on and sing your tune, Jolene (What?)
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
[Bridge: Beyoncé, Beyoncé & Choir, 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 (Ah)
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 will stand by me, Jolene
[Outro: Beyoncé & Choir]
I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me
(I’ma stand by her, she gon’ stand by me)
I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me, Jolene
“Jolene” by Dolly Parton 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
[Verse 1]
Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene
[Verse 2]
He talks about you in his sleep
And there’s nothin’ I can do to keep
From cryin’ when he calls your name, Jolene
And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don’t know what he means to me, Jolene
[Chorus]
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him just because you can
[Verse 3]
You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He’s the only one for me, Jolene
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do, Jolene
[Chorus]
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him even though you can
Jolene, Jolene
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