Beyoncé To Cover 'Jolene': Dolly Parton

Fresh off releasing her first-ever country singles, Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages, Beyoncé might be taking on a country music classic: Dolly Parton’s Jolene.

Parton has expressed support for Beyoncé’s turn to country music. But, when she was recently asked if she collaborated with the Single Ladies singer or if one of her songs was covered for Beyoncé’s upcoming album, Act II, Parton shared a little secret.

Responding to whether Beyoncé has covered a Dolly Parton song on her forthcoming country album, Parton replied (via Knox News), “Well, I think she has! I think she's recorded Jolene, and I think it's probably gonna be on her country album, which I'm very excited about.”

“I love her!” Parton continued. “She's a beautiful girl and a great singer.”

Also in the interview, Parton revealed that she’s always wanted Beyoncé to cover Jolene and said that the pair have been in touch over the years.

“We've kind of sent messages back and forth through the years,” Parton said. “And she and her mother were like fans, and I was always touched that they were fans, and I always thought she was great.”

Texas Hold ‘Em has spent two weeks at #2 on Australia’s ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart. In the US, the song has spent two weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the Hot Country Songs and Global 200 charts.

Beyoncé is the first black woman to top the Hot Country Songs and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs since the charts began tracking songs across genres in October 1958. By topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, Beyoncé dethroned Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves’ duet, I Remember Everything, from #1 after 20 weeks.

Parton showed support for Beyoncé a few weeks ago, writing in a statement posted to Instagram: “I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album. So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single. Can’t wait to hear the full album! Love, Dolly”.

Beyoncé’s pivot to country music has been controversial amongst country music fans and pundits. After her country songs landed, an Oklahoma radio station reverted its position on playing the singer.

Oklahoma’s KYKC initially refused to play the tracks as Beyoncé wasn’t previously known as a traditional country artist. “We do not play Beyonce' [sic] on KYKC as we are a country music station,” the email to a fan who requested Texas Hold ‘Em read.

That response went viral after it was posted on social media, and the song was quickly added to rotation.

Beyoncé confirmed the release of her new country album, Act II, last month. The album will be released on Friday, 29 March.