DOLLY Parton fans have slammed Beyonce after she covered her iconic song Jolene on her new country album.
Act II: Cowboy Carter, which was released today, follows on from Act I of her trilogy Renaissance (2022).
Fans have already been treated to her new hits Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages, which were released on Super Bowl Sunday last month.
Now they can listen to all 27 tracks, which include duets with the likes of Miley Cyrus, and covers including Dolly’s Jolene and The Beatles’ Blackbird.
Beyonce‘s cover of Jolene includes a 22-second introduction where Dolly compares a lyric from her tune with Beyonce’s 2016 hit Sorry.
The 1973 hit includes a line that says “flaming locks of auburn hair”, which she drew comparisons to with Beyonce’s lyric “Becky with the good hair”.
Dolly says in the introduction: “You know that hussy with the good hair you sang about, reminded me of someone I knew back when, except she has flaming locks of auburn hair, bless her heart, just hair a different colour but it hurts just the same.”
Beyonce has also changed some of the lyrics to the number one hit.
The Single Ladies songstress sings: “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene/I’m warning you, don’t come for my man/Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene/Don’t take the chance because you think you can.”
Meanwhile Dolly’s original lyrics are: “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.”
Many have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, so share their thoughts, with many sharing that they were not impressed.
One said: “Dolly Parton been saying she wanted Beyonce to cover Jolene. And Beyonce did. And let Jolene know it was gonna be bad for her health to keep up the bulls**t, alongside a gif of Beyonce putting her head in her hands.
Another tweeted: “Probably unpopular opinion I love a bit of ‘Country’ But Beyoncé’s Jolene. Has “call the ambulance, but not for me” energy.”
“#Beyoncé is such a cop out banging out #Jolene & #Blackbiird,” a third added.
A fourth wrote: “Beyoncé has ruined Jolene don’t mess with a classic!”
Meanwhile others absolutely loved the tune.
One tweeted: “Beyoncé is doing a Jolene cover & I love that. I love me some Dolly Parton.”
Another wrote: “Jolene beyonce has done it again.”
A third said: “I just knew Beyoncé Jolene was gon do it !!!!!”
Despite the mixed reviews, back in 2022, Dolly shared how much she wanted Beyonce to do a cover of her iconic track.
During an appearance on The Daily Show With Trevor Noah, Dolly confessed: “I think she’s fantastic and beautiful, and I love her music.
“I would just love to hear Jolene done in just a big way, kind of like how Whitney (Houston) did my I Will Always Love You.”
The singer added: “ust someone that can take my little songs and make them like powerhouses.
“That would be a marvellous day in my life if she ever does do Jolene.”
