Beyoncé’s ‘Jolene’ Lyric Changes Have References To Jay-Z’s Affair

'Jolene' by Beyoncé vs. 'Jolene' by Dolly Parton

Beyoncé’s “Jolene” actually has a more threatening tone than Dolly’s original 1973 song. While the original song pleads for another woman to not steal her man, Beyoncé takes it to another level so that the woman doesn’t even think to go near her man.

“I’m warning you, don’t come for my man,” Queen Bey croons. She turns it up even more with lyrics like, “You don’t want this smoke so shoot your shot with someone else,” “I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisiana’” and “Your peace depends on how you move, Jolene.”

Dolly Parton's Reaction to Beyoncé's "Jolene"

Dolly actually addressed the rumors that Bey would cover the song on her album weeks before the release. “Well, I think she has!” she told Knox News. “I think she’s recorded ‘Jolene’ and I think it’s probably gonna be on her country album, which I’m very excited about that.” 

“I love her!” Parton added of the 32-time Grammy winner. “She’s a beautiful girl and a great singer.” 

Dolly Parton, wel being the Doll she is, also self promoted the original track hours before the album dropped. “Play the original while you wait for @beyonce’s ‘Jolene,’” Dolly posted on her socials.

The 10-time Grammy Award winner is actually featured not once, but twice on the record. “Hey, Ms. Honey Bee, it’s Dolly P.,” she says in an interlude aptly called “Dolly P.” “You know that hussy with the good hair you sing about? Reminded me of someone I knew back when, except she has flaming locks of auburn hair, bless her heart. Just a hair of a different color, but it hurts just the same.”

Dolly is referring to the track “Sorry” from Beyoncé’s 2016 album Lemonade, which directly references Jay-Z’s affair.

"Jolene" by Beyoncé lyrics

[Intro]
(Jolene)
(Jolene)

[Chorus: Beyoncé]
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: Beyoncé]
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’ve been deep in love for twenty years
I raised that man, I raised his kids
I know my man better than he knows himself (Yeah, what?)
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: Beyoncé]
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 Louisianne (Don’t try me)
[Verse 2: Beyoncé]
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

[Bridge: Beyoncé, Beyoncé & Choir, Choir]
Me and my man crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
Good deeds roll in like tumblin’ weeds
I sleep good, happy
‘Cause you can’t dig up our planted seeds
I know my man’s gon’ stand by me, breathin’ in my gentle breeze (Ah)
I crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
Good deeds roll in like tumblin’ weeds
Good and happy
‘Cause you can’t dig up them planted seeds
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’ma stand by her, she will stand by me, Jolene

[Outro: Beyoncé & Choir]
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

"Jolene" by Dolly Parton lyrics

[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