For Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé released her own interpretation of Dolly Parton’s classic song “Jolene.” Despite significantly reworking the song’s lyrics, Beyoncé nonetheless gave Parton full songwriting credit.
Parton is credited as the sole songwriter of “Jolene” on Cowboy Carter, while Beyoncé is listed as the performer and co-producer, according to credits released on Spotify and other DSPs. This suggests that any and all songwriting royalties from the song will go to Parton, and not Beyoncé.
The news isn’t exactly surprising. Parton has long been protective of her music, even going as far to deny Elvis Presley’s request to cover “I Will Always Love You” in 1974 after Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, demanded that they share royalties.
Upon the release of Cowboy Carter, Parton lauded Beyoncé’s reinterpretation of “Jolene,” writing on Instagram: “Wow, I just heard ‘Jolene.’ Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it!”
Parton also makes two separate spoken-word cameos on Cowboy Carter as she introduces “Jolene” as well as “Tyrant.”