With just a few weeks to go until her country album “Act II” arrives, Beyoncé may have a Dolly Parton-sized surprise in store for the project.
Beyoncé historically keeps details close to the chest for her records—she dropped her two new singles, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages,” out of the sky during the Super Bowl—but Parton revealed that she believes the singer covered her 1973 classic “Jolene” for the set.
“Well, I think she has! 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,” Parton told Knox News. “I love her! She’s a beautiful girl and a great singer.”
Whether or not Beyoncé recorded a cover or sampled the song—or will do anything with “Jolene” at all—remains to be seen. Parton explained that she “heard” and “thinks” and “hopes” that Beyoncé laid down a version.
“We’ve kind of sent messages back and forth through the years,” she said. “And she and her mother were like fans, and I was always touched that they were fans, and I always thought she was great.”
Parton previously supported Beyoncé recording a country album. A few weeks back, she posted on Instagram that she supports her turn to country, shortly after Beyoncé became the first Black woman to top Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart when “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at the top. “I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album,” she wrote. “So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single. Can’t wait to hear the full album!”
She echoed that statement while talking with Knox News, stating that country should welcome Beyoncé with open arms. “A lot of people don’t realize Beyonce is a country girl. She’s from Texas,” she said. “I think we belong wherever we can do good, and her song is number one across every chart in the whole world, I think. So, I mean, who can argue with that?”
Beyoncé’s “Act II,” which will serve as her eighth album, is scheduled for release on March 29.
