Beyoncé had caused a bit of a stir with her album Cowboy Carter and her foray into country music. I have always loved when artists in one genre tackle another type of music, as it usually leads to fascinating results. And many before Beyoncé who are known for other types of music have recorded great country songs, such as Ray Charles, Dean Martin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Van Morrison, Etta James, and Elvis Presley. So, I have been enjoying the new album, which as others have noted, has its source in more than one type of music.
Beyoncé has remained above the fray, letting her music speak for herself. And she also uses her talent to help highlight the history of country music and its connection to black artists, including Linda Martell.
Someone as talented as Beyoncé covering a classic Dolly Parton song illustrates a deep understanding of their own talent as well as of country music. In Beyoncé’s new video for “Jolene,” she turns the song into a story of two lovers on the run, sort of a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde.
The video begins with Dolly Parton introducing Beyoncé singing Parton’s classic song of betrayal. Parton first released “Jolene” in 1973 ahead of her 1974 Jolene album. And here we are half a century later still talking about the song written by one of the Queens of country music with a fabulous new take by Queen Bey. Check it out, and also enjoy the harmonica played by Stevie Wonder.
Even just this version of “Jolene” has stirred some debate. Beyoncé changed some of the lyrics from Parton’s original version, which you can see in more detail in this article from People.
Some of the lyrics in Beyoncé’s version are more threatening to the other woman, whereas the singer in Parton’s version is more vulnerable, begging the other woman to give back the man. Spencer Kornhaber in The Atlantic, however, defends Beyoncé’s choice to make the song more about a Black woman fighting for her man.
Of course, it is the right of the artist to interpret a song, while also the right of fans to discuss the changes. That’s what makes music interesting. So it is okay to prefer one version or the other, but it is also okay to enjoy both versions. And after all these years of Jolene stealing the husband, it is time for a different take. As Dolly Parton wrote about Beyoncé’s version on Instagram: “Wow, I just heard Jolene. Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it!”
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