Lily Allen, Beyoncé.Photo:getty (2)
getty (2)
Lily Allenisn’t the biggest supporter ofBeyoncé’s version of “Jolene.”
On the Wednesday, April 3, episode of theMiss Me?podcast that Allen, 38, cohosts with her friend Miquita Oliver, the pair shared their thoughts on the 32-time Grammy winner, 42, covering aDolly Partonclassic.
“I don’t think the ‘Jolene’ one’s good," Oliver, 39, said as they discussedCowboy Carter— Beyoncé’s eighth studio album.
“It’s very weird that you cover the most successful songs in that genre," Allen replied.
Beyoncé.Michael Buckner/Billboard via Getty
Michael Buckner/Billboard via Getty
“But I also feel like ‘Jolene'’s such an excellent song. Like, I’ve listened to the story of how Dolly Parton wrote it in about 20 minutes, like, over and over, because I just think it’s so genius. And I don’t know, it just felt a little bit like a kind of standard hip-hop beat under a ‘Jolene’ cover," Oliver said.
She added, “It’s like, ‘Let’s do something with this song. If we’re going to take it apart and put it back together. I feel like Beyoncé could have done a bit more with that.”
Allen agreed, adding, “Yeah, I just feel like it’s quite an interesting thing to do when you’re like trying to tackle a new genre and you just choose the biggest song in that genre to cover.”
“I mean, you do you, Beyoncé, and she literally is doing her. Or is she doing Dolly?” the “Hard Out Here” singer said.
Despite what Allen and Oliver think, the Houston native recently made history asthe first-ever Black female artistto top the Hot Country Songs chart with her single “Texas Hold ‘Em” in February.
The same track also debuted at No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart.
“I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album,” the original “Jolene” hitmaker wrote in a statement via Instagram on Feb. 22. “So congratulations on yourBillboardHot Country number one single.”
Beyoncé, Dolly Parton.getty (2)
She’d also previously stated that she wished “someone like Beyoncé” would re-record the classic.
TheRenaissancesinger has received praise from other country artists, includingMaren Morris,June Carter Cash’s daughter Carlene, and more.
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When announcing her album title back in mid-March, Beyoncé said viaInstagramthat the project “was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed.”
“This ain’t a Country album. This is a Beyoncé’ album. This is act ii COWBOY CARTER, and I am proud to share it with y’all!” she concluded.
source: people.com
