Beyoncé references Jay-Z cheating scandal in updated version of Dolly Parton’s hit Jolene
Beyoncé has updated the lyrics to Dolly Parton’s hit Jolene to reference her own husband Jay-Z. Beyoncé’s new album, act ii COWBOY CARTER, is set to release on Friday
Beyoncé has updated the lyrics to Dolly Parton’s hit Jolene to reference her own husband Jay-Z.
The singer, 42, has covered the classic country track on her new album Cowboy Carter, and instead of “begging”Jolene to leave her man alone, she “warns” the “desperate” homewrecker, “don’t come for my man” and “find your own man”.
Her rewritten lyrics seem to directly reference Jay-Z, with whom she shares three children, Blue Ivy, 12, and her 6-year-old twins, Rumi and Sir Carter, as she sings over guitar strumming: “We’ve been deep in love for 20 years, I raised that man, I raised his kids, I know that man better than he knows himself.”
Beyoncé and Jay-Z, 54, have been together for 24 years, having started dating in 2000 when Beyoncé was still in Destiny’s Child. The couple wed in 2008, and Beyoncé previously said of the upcoming album: “I hope that you can hear my heart and soul.”
While Beyoncé still praises Jolene’s beauty as being “beyond compare”, there is now no reference to her auburn hair, and she adds in a clip leaked from Cowboy Carter: “It takes more than beauty and seductive stares to come between a family and a happy man.”
It is not the first time Beyoncé has alluded to another woman trying to take her man, with her 2016 track Sorry mentioning “Becky with the good hair.”
Beyoncé and Jay-Z have been together for 24 years (
Image:
Getty Images for Parkwood Entert)
At the time, speculation reached fever pitch surrounding who “Becky” – thought to be a pseudonym – could be, with several celebrities including Katy Perry and Rita Ora going as far as to wear “not Becky” badges at a party, shortly after its release.
Dolly, 78, also recorded a voice note which appears on the album, with Dolly telling “Miss Honey B” that Becky reminded her of Jolene, and notes that their hair is different colours but “the hurt is just the same”.
Elsewhere on Cowboy Carter, which was released at midnight [FRI] and is now available to stream in the UK, Beyoncé collaborates with Miley Cyrus on the new track II Most Wanted, with fans praising how well their vocals compliment one another. The singer also collaborates with Post Malone on Levii Jeans.
Beyoncé has said of the record: “This album has been over five years in the making. It was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed…and it was very clear that I wasn’t. But, because of that experience, I did a deeper dive into the history of Country music and studied our rich musical archive. It feels good to see how music can unite so many people around the world, while also amplifying the voices of some of the people who have dedicated so much of their lives educating on our musical history.
Beyoncé is to release COWBOY CARTER (
“The criticisms I faced when I first entered this genre forced me to propel past the limitations that were put on me. act ii is a result of challenging myself, and taking my time to bend and blend genres together to create this body of work.
“I have a few surprises on the album, and have collaborated with some brilliant artists who I deeply respect. I hope that you can hear my heart and soul, and all the love and passion that I poured into every detail and every sound.
“I focused on this album as a continuation of RENAISSANCE…I hope this music is an experience, creating another journey where you can close your eyes, start from the beginning and never stop.
“This ain’t a Country album. This is a “Beyoncé” album. This is act ii COWBOY CARTER, and I am proud to share it with y’all!”
While promoting the album, Beyoncé has worn various cowboy outfits, including teaming a zebra print coat with black and white Jimmy Choo boots
