JOLENE

Album

Cowboy Carter

Label

Parkwood Entertainment

Genre

Country

Duration

9:00

Composer(s)

Dolly Parton

Entered Chart

Apr 13, 2024

Peak Date

Apr 13, 2024

Released

March 29, 2024

Dolly Parton's "Jolene" is a classic country tearjerker, right up there with a lost dog and a tumbleweed. But Beyoncé took that song and gave it a good Texas two-step right into the danger zone for her Country Carter album. Same basic melody, mind you, like the dusty wallpaper in your grandma's house – comforting, familiar. But the lyrics? Oh boy, the lyrics get a whole new coat of paint. The story's the same, some Jezebel named Jolene setting her sights on another woman's fella. But in Dolly's version, it's all pleading and handwringing. "Jolene, Jolene, please don't take my man," she sings, like a magnolia wilting in the midday sun. Beyoncé, on the other hand, has no time for that. She knows what Jolene's game is, and she's ready to meet fire with gasoline. "Jolene, Jolene," she warns, "don't come for my man." No begging, no pleading, just a flat-out declaration. This Jolene better hightail it out of Dodge before Beyoncé puts on her boots. Remember Beyoncé's fiery Lemonade, that visual album where she poured her heart out Jay-Z's infidelity? Her "Jolene" cover is a continuation of that saga. But Beyoncé's version of "Jolene" also reveals a deep, enduring love between the "Texas Hold 'Em" star and her husband. She sings about weathering storms together: Me and my man crossed those valleys Highs and lows and everything between Good deeds roll in like tumblin' weeds I sleep good, happy Sounds like a love that's been through the wringer and came out stronger. Beyoncé throws in an all-male choir for the bridge and outro. These fellas belt out a declaration of unwavering loyalty: "I'ma stand by her, she will stand by me, Jolene," they proclaim, just in case Jolene (or anyone else) had any funny ideas. Before Beyoncé tackles "Jolene" on Cowboy Carter, there's a spoken-word interlude titled "Dolly P" where Dolly addresses Beyoncé directly. Hey Miss Honeybee, it's Dolly P You know that hussy with the good hair you sing about? Reminded me of someone I knew back when Except she has flamin' locks of auburn hair Dolly is referencing Beyoncé's Lemonade song "Sorry" and its famous line "Becky with the good hair." Dolly returns later on in the album with an intro to "Tyrant." While Beyoncé included several re-worked lyrics in her version of the "Jolene," the writing credits credit solely Parton. Beyoncé is credited as the co-producer with Khirye Tyler and Jack Ro. The producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Khirye Tyler worked as a musical director for Khalid and Alicia Keys before playing keyboards and contributing arrangements on Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour. Tyler co-produced seven tracks in total on Cowboy Carter. Jack "Ro" Rochon is a Canadian producer, songwriter and classically trained multi-instrumentalist. "Jolene" is one of four Cowboy Carter tracks he contributed to. Stevie Wonder played the harmonica on Beyoncé's cover of "Jolene." Bey herself revealed this information during her acceptance speech for the Innovator Award at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on April 1, 2024. While presenting the award, Wonder introduced Beyoncé and even called her a "trailblazer." In her acceptance speech, Beyoncé thanked the Motown great for not only the award but also for "playing the harmonica on 'Jolene.'" While Dolly Parton's "Jolene" topped the US Country Charts, it only reached #60 on the Hot 100 chart. Beyoncé's rendition of "Jolene" debuted at # 7 on the Hot 100, becoming the first version of the heavily covered song to crack the Top 10.

(Jolene)
(Jolene)

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm warnin' you, don't come for my man (Jolene)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Don't take the chance because you think you can

You're beautiful beyond compare
Takes more than beauty and seductive stares
To come between a family and a happy man
Jolene, I'm a woman too
The games you're play are nothing new
So you don't want no heat with me, Jolene
We been deep in love for twenty years
I raised that man, I raised his kids
I know my man better than he knows himself (uh, what?)
I can easily understand why you're attracted to my man
But you don't want this smoke
So shoot your shot with someone else (you heard me)

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm warnin' you, woman, find you your own man
Jolene, I know I'm a queen, Jolene
I'm still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisiana (don't try me)

There's a thousand girls in every room
That act as desperate as you do
You a bird, go on and sing your tune, Jolene (what?)
I had to have this talk with you
'Cause I hate to have to act a fool
Your peace depends on how you move, Jolene

Me and my man crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
Good deeds roll in like tumbling weeds
I sleep good happy 'cause you can't dig up our planted seeds
I know my man's gon' stand by me breathing in my gentle breeze (ah)

I crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
Good deeds roll in like tumbling weeds
Sleep good and happy 'cause you can't dig up them planted seeds
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'ma stand by her, she gon' stand by me, Jolene

I'ma stand by him, he gon' stand by me
(I'ma stand by her, she gon' stand by me)
I'ma stand by him, he gon' stand by me, Jolene