Dolly Parton wants Beyonce? to make a powerhouse version of 'Jolene': 'Wouldn't that be killer?'
At the top of country music icon Dolly Parton's musical wishlist? A Beyonce? rendition of one of her classic songs.
Parton appeared with author James Patterson on “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” Wednesday to promote the pair’s thriller novel “Run, Rose, Run.” During the interview, host Noah asked Parton about her desire to have the “Lemonade” singer cover her iconic song “Jolene.”
“I think she’s fantastic and beautiful, and I love her music,” Parton told Noah. “I would just love to hear ‘Jolene’ done in just a big way, kind of like how Whitney (Houston) did my ‘I Will Always Love You,’ just someone that can take my little songs and make them like powerhouses. That would be a marvelous day in my life if she ever does do ‘Jolene.’”
When asked by Noah if Beyonce? was aware of her wish, Parton said, “I don’t know if she’s even got the message, but wouldn’t that be killer?”
A number of artists have covered Parton's 1973 hit, which was certified double platinum in January, including her goddaughter Miley Cyrus, Reba McEntire, The White Stripes and rapper Lil Nas X, who blew Parton away when he performed an acoustic version of the song on BBC Radio 1 in September 2021.
“I was so excited when someone told me that Lil Nas X had done my song #Jolene. I had to find it and listen to it immediately… and it's really good,” Parton tweeted at the time.
She added: “Of course, I love him anyway. I was surprised and I'm honored and flattered. I hope he does good for both of us.”
More: Dolly Parton sings Lil Nas X's praises after he covers her hit song 'Jolene': 'I'm honored'
On her book with Patterson, which hit shelves and electronic platforms this week, Parton said co-authoring “Run, Rose, Run” with the bestselling author struck a creative chord she long thought about strumming.
“I always thought I'd write a novel, or a mystery, at some point in my life, because I do love to tell stories," Parton told The Tennessean, part of the USA TODAY Network. “I thought, 'This would be a wonderful opportunity to do that.' I wouldn't have to do it but once – not to say that I won't – but this is something else that I can add to the wonderful things I've been involved in (during) my life.”
More: Dolly Parton wrote thriller novel with James Patterson to feel 'true' to the real Nashville
Contributing: Elise Brisco, USA TODAY; Matthew Leimkuehler, Nashville Tennessean
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dolly Parton wants Beyonce? to cover her song 'Jolene'
