Jolene is one of those songs that is so well written it’s malleable to just about any genre or style. And the beloved Dolly Parton classic has been transformed countless times. For example, Strawberry Switchblade made an electronic dance version. Olivia Newton-John turned it into a disco. The White Stripes took it to the crossroads.
But none of them is the cover Parton has dreamed about, she said recently. She wants Beyoncé to try her hand at the ode to jealousy.
“Jolene has been recorded more than any other song that I have ever written,” Parton told Big Issue. “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. But nobody’s ever had a really big hit record on it. I’ve always hoped somebody might do someday, someone like Beyoncé.”
Of course, it makes sense Parton would be excited at a pop diva version of the song. Whitney Houston gave Parton the biggest hit of her career when she covered the country icon’s I Will Always Love You. Houston’s version was a number one hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for 14 weeks in 1992. It returned to the charts in 2012 after Houston died.
It’s also not unlikely for Beyoncé to jump genres. She’s already gone country once before with her showstopping performance of Daddy’s Lessons at the CMA’s with the Chicks.
According to Diana Gordon, who co-wrote several songs on Beyoncé’s album Lemonade, the pop diva is very aware of Jolene. She almost named dropped it in the song Sorry, which features the famous line “Becky with the good hair,” Gordon told Refinery29.
Dolly Parton Plans to Release Signature Fragrance
Dolly Parton has been busy the past few months. The country music queen is set to release her own line of perfume next year, she recently announced on Twitter. She is partnering with Edge Beauty, who also created Cher’s perfume line, in the deal.
“Fragrance has always played a major role in my life — I wear my own combination of scents every day,” Parton said in a statement, according to WWD. “Developing my own brand and scent with Edge Beauty has been an amazing experience, and I am looking forward to becoming a big part of the fragrance community.”
It’s a little surprising that Dolly Parton doesn’t already have a beauty line on the market. That’s because Parton is a style icon renowned for her famous hair, makeup, and nails. But anything is possible considering the astonishing number of projects she’s been involved with this year. That includes her reading charity; music, tv, and films; and helping fund a COVID-19 vaccination.
