Beyoncé’s Reimagining of ‘Jolene’ References Her and Jay-Z’s Relationship
Beyoncé didn’t do a straightforward cover of “Jolene” on her new album Cowboy Carter. Instead, the singer interpolated Dolly Parton’s original hit country song and added her own lyrics that seem to reference her and her husband Jay-Z’s history together. (“We been deep in love for twenty years / I raised that man, I raised his kids / I know my man better than he knows himself.”)
Beyoncé’s “Jolene” serves as a warning to a temptress not to take her partner from her and her family. On the heels of Beyoncé’s Lemonade, which explored themes of infidelity, it’s a revealing look into how Beyoncé’s view of her own relationship has evolved over the past nearly eight years.
Bey met Jay-Z when she was 18 in 2000. They started dating in 2001 and got married in April 2008. They have three children together: 12-year-old Blue Ivy and 6-year-old twins Sir and Rumi.
Beyoncé doesn’t give many interviews, nor does she talk at length about her marriage to the press. Instead, she lets her art tell her story.
As for how Parton feels about Beyoncé reimagining her song? The country legend, who is also featured on Beyoncé’s album, cleverly reacted to news on her Instagram Story when the track list came out.
Parton reposted it and wrote, “Play the original while you wait for @beyonce’s ‘Jolene.’” She included a link to stream her 1974 song:
Read the lyrics to Beyoncé’s version, via Genius, along with the lyrics to Parton’s original. You can also listen to Beyoncé’s take below.
Intro
(Jolene)
(Jolene)
Chorus
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm warnin’ you, don’t come for my man (Jolene)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Don’t take the chance because you think you can
Verse 1
You’re beautiful beyond compare
Takes more than beauty and seductive stares
To come between a family and a happy man
Jolene, I’m a woman too
Thе games you play are nothing new
So you don’t want no hеat with me, Jolene
We been deep in love for twenty years
I raised that man, I raised his kids
I know my man better than he knows himself (Hah, wait)
I can easily understand why you’re attracted to my man
But you don’t want this smoke, so shoot your shot with someone else (You heard me)
Chorus
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m warnin’ you, woman, find you your own man
Jolene, I know I’m a queen, Jolene
I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisiana’ (Don’t try me)
Verse 2
There’s a thousand girls in every room
That act as desperate as you do
You a bird, go on and sing your tune, Jolene (What?)
I had to have this talk with you
’Cause I hate to have to act the fool
Your peace depends on how you move, Jolene
Me and my man crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
You did roll in like tumbling weeds
I sleep good happy, ’cause you can't dig up our planted seeds
I know my man’s gon' stand by me breathing in my gentle breeze (Ah)
Bridge: Choir and Beyoncé
I crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
You did roll in like tumbling weeds
Good and happy, ’cause you can’t dig up our planted seeds
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’ma stand by her, she will stand by me, Jolene
Outro: Choir and Beyoncé
I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me
(I’ma stand by her, she gon’ stand by me)
I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me, Jolene
Here’s the original version’s lyrics by Parton:
Chorus
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him just because you can
Verse 1
Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene
Verse 2
He talks about you in his sleep
And there's nothin’ I can do to keep
From cryin’ when he calls your name, Jolene
And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don’t know what he means to me, Jolene
Chorus
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him just because you can
Verse 3
You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He’s the only one for me, Jolene
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do, Jolene
Chorus
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him even though you can
Jolene, Jolene
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