Dolly Parton Suspects Beyoncé Has Covered 'Jolene' for Her Upcoming Country Album

Queen Bey taking on the Queen of Country? Yes, please!

While doing press for the 2024 season opening of her theme park, Dollywood, Dolly Parton revealed that a cover of her 1973 hit 'Jolene' could be gracing Beyoncé's highly anticipated country album.

“Well, I think she has!" Parton shared in a March 8 interview with Knox News. "I think she's recorded ‘Jolene’ and I think it's probably gonna be on her country album, which I'm very excited about that.”

Parton championed the Renaissance star during the conversation, saying, “I love her! She's a beautiful girl and a great singer.” Their acquaintance, however, doesn't end at mere admiration, with Parton saying they've been in contact in the past.

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

Elsewhere in the interview, Parton took a moment to address the controversy surrounding the pop megastar's foray into the country genre. “A lot of people don’t realize Beyoncé is a country girl. She’s from Texas,” she defended the 'Crazy In Love' hitmaker. “I think we belong wherever we can do good, and her song is number one across every chart in the whole world, I think. So, I mean, who can argue with that?”

Taking her praise to social media, Parton also previously applauded Beyoncé for her recent chart success with the single 'TEXAS HOLD 'EM.'

The 'I Will Always Love You' star echoed her adoration in a post on 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!”

Much of Beyoncé's upcoming country effort, Act II, which is slated for a March 29 release, has been kept under wraps. Whether or not a rendition of Parton's 'Jolene' will appear alongside the album's previously released 'TEXAS HOLD 'EM' and '16 Carriages' is not yet known.

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