Dolly Parton has requested fans listen to her megahit “Jolene” before Beyoncé shares her version on March 29.
The “Crazy in Love” hitmaker shared the track list for her upcoming country album, Cowboy Carter, this week, and Parton is calling on her followers to stream the 1973 classic.
“Play the original while you wait for @beyonce’s ‘Jolene,'” Parton wrote, sharing the track list on her Instagram Story.
As well as the record-breaking ‘Texas ‘Hold ‘Em’ and ’16 Carriages’, Beyoncé’s epic 27-song collection features the following tracks: “Ameriican Requiem,” “Blackbiird,” “Protector,” “My Rose,” “Bodyguard,” “Daughter,” “Spaghettii,” “Alliigator Tears,” “Smoke Hour II,” “Just for Fun,” “II Most Wanted,” “Levii’s Jeans,” “Flamenco,” “Ya Ya,” “Oh Louisiana,” “Desert Eagle,” “Riiverdance,” “Tyrant,” “II Hands II Heaven,” “Sweet Honey Buckin” and “Amen.”
The country music icon let slip that the megastar was considering releasing a version of her timeless song for Renaissance: Act II, aka Cowboy Carter.
“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 that. I love her! She’s a beautiful girl and a great singer,” she said to Knox News regarding the rumors that they recorded a duet for the album.
And it turns out the “9 to 5” hitmaker had wanted the former Destiny’s Child star to cover the song for 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 … I always thought she was great.”
The “Single Ladies” hitmaker became the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart with “Texas Hold ‘Em” after it debuted at No.1 on the U.S. chart, and “16 Carriages” has also racked up some impressive streams.
Cowboy Carter is the second part of Beyoncé’s planned Renaissance trilogy, following the 2022 dance record Renaissance.
There has been quite the debate surrounding her foray into country, which sees the Houston native pay homage to her Southern roots, but the Queen of Country herself spoke out to defend the star.
“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!” Parton shared on social media.
