Beyoncé Jolene Lyrics: The Meaning of Her Dolly Parton Cover Explained

March 29, 2024, 11:22 a.m. | Updated: March 29, 2024, 11:36 a.m.

Who are Beyoncé’s Jolene lyrics about? Beyoncé covers Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and gives it her own unique twist.

The rumors are true. Beyoncé released a cover of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” and the edited lyrics are breaking the internet.

In 2022, Dolly Parton appeared as a guest on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and said she would love for Beyoncé to cover “Jolene.” She said: “It would be a wonderful day in my life if she ever did ‘Jolene’.” This month, Dolly told the Tennessee outlet. Knox News: “I think she recorded ‘Jolene’ and I think it will probably be on her country album.”

Now Beyoncé’s “Jolene” is here and it includes references to everything, including “Becky with the good hair.” Find out how Beyoncé changed the original lyrics of the song and what the lyrics mean in her version of Jolene below.

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Before “Jolene” appears on Beyoncé’s new album, there’s an interlude from Dolly herself. Dolly says, “Hey Miss Honey B, it’s Dolly P / You know that naughty girl with the beautiful hair you’re singing about? / It reminded me of someone I knew back in the day / Except she’s got some flaming auburn locks of hair / Bless her heart / Just hair a different color but it still hurts.

Beyoncé then launches into her version of the song and appears to reference JAY-Z’s alleged infidelity that she sang about in Lemonade.. In the first verse, Beyoncé sings: “We’ve been deeply in love for 20 years / I raised this man, I raised his children. I know my man better than he knows himself / I can easily understand / Why are you attracted to my man.’

Changing the refrain, Beyoncé adds: “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene / I’m warning you, woman, find your own man.”
Jolene, I know I’m a queen, Jolene / I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisiana (Don’t try me).’ And me oop!

The song also includes a new bridge: “My man and I have been through these valleys / Ups and downs and everything in between / Good deeds come like falling weeds / I sleep well, happy / ‘Cause you can’t not dig up our planted seeds.’

Beyoncé – JOLENE (Official Lyric Video)

Instead of being at Jolene’s mercy, Beyoncé threatens her on her version of the song and fans lose track of the lyrics’ new meaning.

One fan wrote: “Dolly Parton treats Becky with the beautiful hussie hair, leading to Beyoncé doing her version of Jolene is my multiverse of madness.”

Another joked: “Jolene really messed with ONE woman’s man and is still getting hit 51 years later. Your legacy is trash mom.”

Beyoncé has yet to speak further about her cover of “Jolene.” We’ll let you know if and when she does.

Beyoncé – Lyrics to “Jolene”

INTRO
(Jolene)
(Jolene)

CHORUS
Jolène, Jolène, Jolène, Jolène
I’m warning you, don’t come for my man (Jolene)
Jolène, Jolène, Jolène, Jolène
Don’t take a risk because you think you can

VERSE 1
You are beautiful, without comparison
It takes more than beauty and seductive looks
Getting between a family and a happy man
Jolene, I am also a woman
The games you play are nothing new
So you don’t want heat with me, Jolene
We have been deeply in love for twenty years
I raised this man, I raised his children
I know my man better than he knows himself (Yeah, what?)
I can easily understand
Why are you attracted to my man
But you don’t want that smoke, so shoot with someone else (You heard me)

CHORUS
Jolène, Jolène, Jolène, Jolène
I warn you, woman, find your own man
Jolene, I know I’m a queen, Jolene
I’m still a Louisiana Creole banjee bitch (Don’t try me)

VERSE 2
There’s a thousand girls in every room
This act is as desperate as you
You’re a bird, go on and sing your tune, Jolene (What?)
I had to have this conversation with you
Because I hate having to act stupid
Your peace depends on how you move, Jolene

BRIDGE
Me and my man walked through these valleys
Ups and downs and everything in between
Good deeds come like falling weeds
I sleep well, happy
Because you can’t dig up our planted seeds
I know my man will stay by my side, breathing my sweet breeze (Ah)
I crossed these valleys
Ups and downs and everything in between
Good deeds come like falling weeds
Good and happy
Because you can’t dig up the seeds planted
Jolène, Jolène, Jolène, Jolène, Jolène
I’m by her side, she’ll be by my side, Jolene

OTHER
I’ll stay by his side, he’ll stay by my side
(I’ll stay by her side, she’ll stay by my side)
I’ll stay by his side, he’ll stay by my side, Jolene

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