Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Dolly Parton Receives Sole Songwriting Credit On Beyoncé’s Reimagined Version Of “Jolene”

Beyoncé's Rendition of Jolene Honors Dolly Parton's Original Through Full Songwriting Credit
by
  • Riley is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, known for her engaging storytelling and insightful coverage of the genre.
  • Before joining Country Thang Daily, Riley developed her expertise at Billboard and People magazine, focusing on feature stories and music reviews.
  • Riley has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Belmont University, with a minor in Cultural Studies.

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter just dropped, and her reinterpretation of Dolly Parton’s classic, “Jolene,” drew mixed reactions. That is, Queen Bey’s “Jolene” was a savage while Parton’s was desperate. Some were impressed, while some were confused about what to feel. But despite making a significant change in the song, she gave the full songwriting credit to the original songwriter, Dolly Parton.

Honoring Dolly Parton

Weeks before the release of Beyoncé’s highly-anticipated second installment of her three-act project. Dolly Parton shared with Knoxville News Sentinel that she “thinks” the singer might’ve covered her classic 1973 hit “Jolene.” The news spread like wildfire, with everyone hoping it would be true. 

And it did happen. But what surprised people even more was that in Beyoncé’s remake of “Jolene,” Beyoncé is credited as the performer and producer of the track, while Parton was the sole songwriter. Considering how the song was basically rewritten from top to bottom, people were expecting to see Queen Bey’s name alongside Parton’s.

This was definitely a respectful gesture that spoke volumes, as the Queen of Country has been known to be protective over her music. As the LA Times put it, “When Dolly Parton writes a song, it’s her song — no exceptions. Not even for the King of Rock ’n’ Roll.” 

Yes, she refused Elvis Presley to record a cover of “I Will Always Love You.” But she did clarify that she wanted to, but she just couldn’t do it because his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, demanded that they share royalties. The song was the most important copyright in her publishing company, and so she made the hard decision to turn it down. If this is not a Queen moment, we don’t know what is. 

Reactions on “Jolene”

There are two things that can’t be argued with here. First is the fact that Beyoncé covering “Jolene” also meant a lot more ears on the original. As of April 1, Parton’s recorded an 11,610 percent uptick in Spotify streams! 

Some would probably disagree the pop singer’s remake gave the original justice like the others, considering the singer changed a big part of the lyrics (which in turn changed the vibe), but that doesn’t mean it’s not good. As Rebecca Shaw of The Guardian noted, it doesn’t dilute the original. Reimagining a classic is adding to it and breathing new life into it. If anything, the complaints are mainly about people’s nostalgia and the thought that a piece they love is somehow sacrosanct and that any new take will tarnish its legacy. 

Second, Parton loved Beyoncé’s rendition. 

The Queen of Country herself gave her stamp of approval. In her statement, she said, “Wow, I just heard Jolene,” she shared in a statement. “Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it! Love, Dolly P.” If any opinion matters, it’s hers. In fact, hers is the only opinion that matters. 

Discussions on music communities on Reddit thought the move was a no-brainer. Parton owned the song, and she was entitled to the full credit. Additionally, one user noted in a thread that the change in lyrics was irrelevant in the sense that “Jolene” was “immensely well written, known, and recognizable.” 

And if we’d give our take, it’s simply a way to honor the artist who gifted everyone with a classic. Beyoncé is a big fan of Parton, and Parton was the same. They respected each other as queens, and credit was given where credit was due. No one could ever own “Jolene” except for the one who created her.

Aside from that, this gesture showed what it was like to respect someone’s work. Stories of uncredited songwriters aren’t just fictional narratives. Back in 2021, Justin Tranter, Emily Warren, and Ross Golan released an open letter about inequality in the music industry and demanded the credit they deserved. They also called our artists to stop taking credit for hits they didn’t write.

Latest Stories

Rascal Flatts and the Jonas Brothers collaborate on 'I Dare You,' a powerful heartbreak anthem, ahead of Rascal Flatts' 25th Anniversary Life Is a Highway Tour.

Rascal Flatts and Jonas Brothers Collaborate on New Song “I Dare You”

Rascal Flatts may have built their legacy on heartfelt country anthems. Still, their latest collaboration proves they’re not afraid to shake things up. The iconic trio has teamed up with ...

Cody Johnson opens up about learning to be romantic with his wife, Brandi, after 15 years of marriage, emphasizing the importance of simple gestures.

Cody Johnson Shares How He Learned to Be Romantic With His Wife Brandi

Cody Johnson might be a country music powerhouse, but he’s just a husband trying to get it right at home. Married to his wife, Brandi, since 2008, Johnson has spent ...

Luke Bryan Says Beyonce Is The Greatest Singer Of All Time

Luke Bryan Just Called Beyoncé “The Greatest Singer of Our Lifetime”

Luke Bryan poured gasoline on an already blazing fire by calling Beyoncé “the greatest singer in our lifetime.” As Cowboy Carter continues to divide country music fans, Bryan’s comments feel ...

At the 2025 Grammy Awards, Beyoncé, dressed in a champagne-colored gown, sits wide-eyed and open-mouthed in her seat, displaying visible shock as Taylor Swift announces her as the winner for Best Country Album. In the background, Kacey Musgraves, wearing a white tank top, claps with a neutral expression, her face showing no visible emotion.

The Real Reason Beyoncé Won a Grammy for Best Country Album

Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter winning Best Country Album at the 2025 Grammys was never about the music. It was about power, control, and pushing an agenda unrelated to country music. The ...

Whoopi Goldberg passionately defends Beyoncé's Grammy win for Best Country Album on 'The View.' Seated at the show's panel, Goldberg gestures emphatically, her expression animated as she addresses the camera. She wears a patterned blouse and round glasses, conveying determination. Co-hosts listen attentively, and the studio backdrop features 'The View' logo. Goldberg's body language underscores her firm stance against critics of Beyoncé's achievement.

Whoopi Goldberg Sides With Beyoncé’s Country Grammy Win and Tells Critics to “Sit Down”

Whoopi Goldberg has a long history of running her mouth without understanding the issue. Still, this time, she’s stomping all over country music like it’s just another Hollywood punchline. On ...

Wynonna Judd raising her granddaughter Kaliyah as her daughter Grace Kelley navigates ongoing legal challenges.

Wynonna Judd Reveals She’s Raising Her Granddaughter After Daughter’s Legal Troubles

In two weeks, Wynonna Judd’s world changed forever. She lost her mother. She became a grandmother. And somewhere in the middle of grief and joy, she stepped into a role ...

Alan Jackson's fans on his Last Call tour go viral for dressing in Chattahoochee-inspired outfits, catching the attention of Jackson himself.

Alan Jackson Fans Go Viral for Dressing in “Chattahoochee” Outfits at Concert

Alan Jackson’s “Last Call: One More for the Road” tour has been an emotional farewell for fans who have spent decades following his legendary career. With this being his final ...

Randy Travis releases 'Horses in Heaven,' his second AI-assisted single, blending nostalgia, faith, and classic country storytelling to fans' delight.

Randy Travis’ New Single “Horses in Heaven” Is Touching Hearts Everywhere

Randy Travis has done it again. The country legend just released his brand-new single, “Horses in Heaven,” marking his second new song in over a decade. Fans have been eagerly ...

A TikTok singer reimagines Eric Church's 'Springsteen' from a female perspective, captivating fans and earning praise from Eric himself, sparking hopes for a full version.

TikTok Singer’s Version of “Springsteen” Is Taking the Internet by Storm

Eric Church’s Springsteen isn’t just a song—it’s a feeling. It’s the track that instantly transports you back to when love was young, summer nights felt endless, and a single song ...

Chris Stapleton delivers powerhouse performances of 'South Dakota' and 'It Takes a Woman' on Austin City Limits, celebrating the show's 50th anniversary season.

Chris Stapleton Delivers Stunning ‘Austin City Limits’ Performances of ‘South Dakota’ and ‘It Takes a Woman’

Chris Stapleton never does anything halfway, and his latest appearance on Austin City Limits proves just that. The long-running PBS show is celebrating its 50th anniversary season, and they brought ...