Queen Bey, aka Beyoncé, announced her eighth studio album during the 2024 Super Bowl. As expected, rumors of what the album could sound like have floated around. However, once she released the songs “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages” in February 2024, the album was confirmed to be a country project.
On March 12, 2024, Parkwood Entertainment took to Instagram to share a teaser video for the album and the caption, including the album’s title and release date, “Act II 3.29.” The video depicts Queen Bey seemingly driving through a Texas neighborhood. Townies walk toward a new billboard sign that displays the singer with the song title “Texas Hold ‘Em,” as the song plays in the background. Then, Bey drives away.
As fans beg for more news about the forthcoming project, many were shocked to learn that “Act II” may include a country music classic, via Dolly Parton. Here’s the 4-1-1.
Dolly Parton believes that Beyoncé recorded her hit song ‘Jolene’ for the new album.
Will Beyoncé include Parton’s 1973 hit song, “Jolene,” on her highly-anticipated country project? Only time will tell. However, the 78-year-old is convinced that Queen Bey will elevate her track.
In a March 2024 interview with Knox News, Parton shared that she had an inkling that the queen recorded a version of her 1973 classic. The two have corresponded over the years, admiring their long careers. The country diva hopes the sound will land on Beyoncé’s upcoming album.
“I think she’s recorded ‘Jolene,’ and I think it’s probably gonna be on her country album, which I’m very excited about,” she told Knox News.
Parton has publicly expressed her support for the mother of three. In a February 2024 Instagram post, the country singer stated she is a huge fan of Beyoncé and is thrilled she’s released a country album. It is not surprising that the two have been working together.
Whether the “16 Carriages” singer has covered “Jolene,” utilized it as a sample, created a duet, or used Parton’s vocals remains unclear. Nevertheless, Dolly is ready to hear the album.
Fans react to the possible Dolly Parton and Beyoncé collaboration.
Once Dolly Parton shared her sentiments about Beyoncé covering Jolene — which seemingly means the track has been cleared — fans ran to social media to express their excitement. BeyHive stan pages immediately spread the news to alert fans to the news. Many fans grew in anticipation of the March 29, 2024, release date.
Beyoncé has become famous for her album-related surprises. Whether it’s a surprise album or surprise merchandise, she is known to be secretive. With this in mind, some X users became concerned that Parton revealed ‘classified’ information. Others warned that this may have been a purposeful leak of information, noting that the superstar could be strategic.
Keep in mind, Beyoncé announced the album title and merch pre-orders the day after Dolly let the news slip. And, of course, the BeyHive began connecting the dots. In turn, fans are speculating that it was all a marketing tool to drum up buzz for the upcoming album.
Beyoncé is getting back to her roots.
After releasing the highly acclaimed “Renaissance” album in July 2022, it became clear that Beyoncé is connecting with the experiences that made her the woman she is today. Her seventh solo studio album was a dedication to her late Uncle Johnny, who died from complications of AIDS. She used his inspiration and story to reclaim the house music genre, something Black people originated.
“Cowboy Carter” is a country album that touches on her southern heritage. As a young girl, she grew up in Houston, which she has proudly repped throughout her career. Her mother, Ms. Tina, has ties to Louisiana, and her father, Mathew, is from Alabama. All of these connections led her to reclaim country, a genre that Black people also birthed.
Fans speculate that the unnamed third act will be rock ‘n’ roll. Rock ‘n’ roll is often attributed to alternative white people but was pioneered by Black musicians like Chuck Berry. If Bey releases a rock ‘n’ roll project, she will reclaim something Black people invented again.
As the “Cowboy Carter” release date approaches, fans are itching to hear the album. Now, with a clue as to who may be featured, music listeners are prepared to have their minds blown.
Are you excited that Dolly Parton cleared “Jolene” for Beyoncé? Let us know in the comments below.
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