“Dolly, you were the barometer. The north star,” Beyoncé wrote on her website. She praised Parton’s talent, generosity, humor and entrepreneurship, adding that she was honored to have worked with her.
Parton contributed vocals to two songs on Cowboy Carter, “Dolly P” and “Tyrant,” and gave Beyoncé permission to record “Jolene,” her iconic 1973 hit. Beyoncé changed the song’s lyrics and made the performance more personal, including the line, “I’m warnin’ you, don’t come for my man.”
Parton said she was surprised by Beyoncé’s version but praised the decision to reinterpret the song. “As a songwriter, you love the fact that people do your songs no matter how they do them,” she said.
Parton’s involvement with the album was kept secret until its release. Cowboy Carter later made history at the 2025 Grammy Awards, where Beyoncé became the first Black artist to win Best Country Album. She also won Album of the Year.
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