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Dolly Parton posted a snippet of one of her scenes from an early 1980s film on Instagram, seemingly sending a message to any haters of Beyoncé’s recently-released, country-themed album. Beyoncé included a revamped rendition of “Jolene” on the 27-track project, introduced with a unique interlude by “Dolly P” herself.
Parton shared a clip from The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, which she starred in alongside Burt Reynolds in 1982. Parton says in the video, “Are you listening good? Keep them leeches and bloodsuckers off the back roads. I know how to use a gun, and nobody messes with my girls. And any questions you might have about the way I run this place, don’t gripe and whine behind my back. Just tell me face to face, I’m open-minded. Say it all, then go upstairs and pack. The door’s that way.” Parton hashtagged the movie’s title and reiterated in her Instagram caption (stirring “Dolly P” comments from hundreds of Instagram users), “The door is that way 👉”
Beyoncé released her own spin on “Jolene” on COWBOY CARTER, her highly-anticipated album that released on March 29. Beyoncé also included Willie Nelson, Linda Martell, Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts, among others. Parton previously said in interviews that she wished Beyoncé would cover her 1970s hit, and said in an interview with Knox News — the East Tennessee-based Knoxville News Sentinel, part of the USA TODAY Network — prior to COWBOY CARTER’s release that she believed Beyoncé’s “Jolene” would appear on the album.
Since debuting the record-breaking album, Beyoncé has accepted the Innovator Award at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards. Stevie Wonder presented Beyoncé with the honor, and she delivered a powerful speech that emphasized innovation and artistry, and spotlighted inspirational artists and her family. She shared that “my hope is that we are more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions.”
“Wow, I just heard Jolene. Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it! Love, Dolly P,” Parton wrote in a statement posted to Instagram on the day of COWBOY CARTER’s release, captioned with a red heart emoji. Listen to Beyoncé’s “Jolene” below, and find the full COWBOY CARTER on iHeartRadio here (warning: language).