Dolly Parton couldn’t contain her excitement when Beyoncé gave her classic hit “Jolene” a modern makeover and released a country album that had everyone two-stepping in surprise.
Chatting with E! News, the queen of 9 to 5 revealed her reaction when she found out Queen Bey took on her iconic tune. Dolly was expecting a regular cover, but Beyoncé had other plans. “I think it was very bold of her,” Dolly quipped, likely with a twinkle in her eye. “When they said she was gonna do ‘Jolene,’ I expected it to be my regular one, but it wasn’t.”
Parton couldn’t help but gush, “But I love what she did to it. And as a songwriter, you love the fact that people do your songs no matter how they do them.” She then jokingly added, “She wasn’t gonna go beg some other woman like I did. Nope, Beyoncé’s all like, ‘Shit, get out here, bitch. You ain’t stealin’ mine.’”
Dolly wasn’t done dishing out the praise. She shared her thoughts on Beyoncé’s country album, *Carter Cowboy*, saying, “I thought she did a great job in country music, and I thought it was great.” Dolly, ever the sweetheart, continued, “And I was just happy she did ‘Jolene.’ I, of course, would have loved to have heard how she would have done it in its original way. But of course, you know, it’s Beyoncé. Yeah, her life is different than mine.”
Dolly Parton is all for Beyoncé putting her own spin on “Jolene,” and it sounds like she’s got a new favorite country album too. Now, if only we could get a duet!