Beyoncé has released a heartfelt statement honoring country music legend Dolly Parton, who passed away on August 25. In a tribute posted on her website, the superstar described Parton as “the barometer” and “the north star,” praising her boldness, brilliance, and unwavering authenticity. Beyoncé expressed gratitude for Parton’s influence on the world and acknowledged the privilege of collaborating with the iconic musician.
The two artists worked together on Beyoncé’s 2024 album “Cowboy Carter,” which featured a reimagined version of Parton’s classic “Jolene.” Rather than following the original’s pleading tone, Beyoncé transformed the track into an assertive warning, fundamentally shifting the song’s narrative. Parton contributed additional material to the album, including an introduction to “Tyrant” and a comedic interlude that cleverly referenced Beyoncé’s earlier work.
Parton had publicly championed Beyoncé’s venture into country music from the start, celebrating her historic achievement as the first Black woman to debut at number one on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with “Texas Hold ‘Em.” Following the album’s release, Parton shared enthusiastic approval of the “Jolene” cover on social media, stating that Beyoncé was “giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it.”
Originally reported by Variety →
About the Author
