It’s one of the most covered songs in existence, and Dolly Parton seemingly responded to Beyonce’s critics after some (minor and targeted) backlash against Cowboy Carter and the savage new cover of “Jolene”.
“I’m warning you, don’t come for my man,” Queen Bey croons. “You don’t want this smoke so shoot your shot with someone else,” “I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisiana’” and “Your peace depends on how you move, Jolene.”
While the rendition has been mostly celebrated, it hasn’t come without its detractors and Dolly herself had something to say about it. Taking to Instagram, the country music legend shared a clip from her 1982 movie, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
“Are you listening good? / Keep them leeches and bloodsuckers off the back roads,” Parton sings as Mona in the video, which highlights the song “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place” from early in the film. “And I know how to use a gun / And nobody messes with my girls / And any questions you might have about the way I run this place / Don’t gripe and whine behind my back / Just tell me face to face, I’m open-minded, say it all / Then go upstairs and pack, the door’s that way.” In the caption, Dolly wrote: “The door is that way 👉.”
In a 2022 interview on The Daily Show, Dolly spoke of how she’d love for Beyonce to cover her hit track. “I don’t know if she’s even got the message, but wouldn’t that be killer? I think she’s fantastic and beautiful and I love her music.” Parton said. “I would just love to hear ‘Jolene’ done in just a big way, kind of like how Whitney [Houston] did my ‘I Will Always Love You.’ Someone that could take my little songs and make ’em like powerhouses. That would be a marvelous day in my life if she ever does ‘Jolene.”
After hearing the new words, Parton shared on social media: “Wow, I just heard Jolene,” Parton said. “Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it! Love, Dolly P.”
