What do you get the woman who has everything? Dolly Parton is already a legend, a hitmaker, and the purveyor of a beloved theme park. But she still aspires to bigger, bolder, Billboard hits with her songs. For example, “‘Jolene’ has been recorded more than any other song that I have ever written. It has been recorded worldwide over 400 times in lots of different languages, by lots of different bands. The White Stripes did a wonderful job of it, and many other people,” the country singer told Big Issue back in 2020. “But nobody’s ever had a really big hit record on it. I’ve always hoped somebody might do [it] someday, someone like Beyoncé.”
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Now it appears Parton’s wish could be coming true. Asked about the dreamed-of “Jolene” cover in the wake of Beyoncé’s country music pivot, Parton told Knox News, “Well, I think she has! 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.” Parton rushed to specify that she only “heard” and “thinks” and “hopes” that Beyoncé is finally doing “Jolene.” But if she “heard” anything from the pop star’s camp about it, that would mean she probably had to approve the rights, meaning Beyoncé could very well be doing a cover or at least sampling the classic track. Beyoncé is well known for carefully curating her albums as a nod to musical history, with samples and interpolations that are recognizable while still creating a wholly unique product.
Ultimately, even if Beyoncé cleared a sample from Parton, that doesn’t necessarily mean whatever she worked on has ended up on the final tracklist for Renaissance: Act II. Regardless, Parton is still a big fan—that’s why she wanted Beyoncé to cover the song in the first place! (“I think she’s fantastic and beautiful, and I love her music,” she said when reiterating her dream in 2022. “That would be a marvelous day in my life if she ever does do ‘Jolene.’”) Beyoncé recently became the first Black woman to top the Billboard Hot 100 with a country song; when she reached number one on the Country chart, Parton posted a statement of support. “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!”
Parton further defended the Grammy winner to Knox News amid backlash to Beyoncé’s genre-hopping. “A lot of people don’t realize Beyonce is a country girl. She’s from Texas. I think we belong wherever we can do good, and her song is number one across every chart in the whole world, I think. So, I mean, who can argue with that?” the country icon said.
“I love her! She’s a beautiful girl and a great singer,” Parton added to Knox News. “We’ve kind of sent messages back and forth through the years. And she and her mother were like fans, and I was always touched that they were fans, and I always thought she was great.”