Current:Home > StocksLily Allen says Beyoncé covering Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' is 'very weird': 'You do you' -Ascend Finance Compass
Lily Allen says Beyoncé covering Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' is 'very weird': 'You do you'
View
Date:2025-04-17 17:58:32
Beyoncé's newest album, the genre-spanning, country-inspired "Cowboy Carter," has many famous fans – but Lily Allen isn't one of them.
The British Grammy-nominated singer shared her hot take on Thursday's episode of her new podcast, "Miss Me?" which she hosts with British TV and radio personality Miquita Oliver.
Allen, who acknowledged she's only listened to "some of" the album, disagreed with how Beyoncé dipped her toe into the country music genre, which involved taking on Dolly Parton's 1973 classic, "Jolene."
"It's very weird that you'd cover the most successful songs in that genre," Allen said.
Co-host Oliver concurred: "I don't think the 'Jolene' one is good. ... I feel like Beyoncé could've done a bit more with it or maybe picked something that was a little less big to cover."
"I just feel like it's quite an interesting thing to do when you're trying to tackle a new genre and you just choose the biggest song in that genre to cover," Allen replied. "I mean, you do you, Beyoncé, and she literally is doing her. Or is she doing Dolly?"
Lily Allen believes Beyoncé's country venture is 'calculated'
Allen and Oliver moved on from "Jolene" to discuss the rest of the album.
Oliver posited, "My friend Seb was here last night and he was like, 'Do you think (Beyoncé is) trying to take over Taylor Swift's market and be the most powerful record-selling artist in the world?'"
"To be honest, that hadn't crossed my mind, and I love me a conspiracy but I think it's been quite calculated," Allen said.
Our review:Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' is a little bit country and a whole lot more
She believes Jay-Z's Grammys speech in February, in which he called out the Recording Academy for not honoring his wife with an album of the year trophy, "was part of this campaign."
Allen said, "That was before the album had come out or even been announced and she was wearing the blond wing and a cowboy hat and Jay-Z did that speech. So it's a bit about challenging these institutions that have thus far rejected Beyoncé as the icon and institution that she is of herself."
She added, "Now (Beyoncé is) the most-played woman on country radio, number one, and I guess she's coming for that market. I don't really know why, but who am I to question it? I mean, whatever floats your boat."
As Oliver pointed out, Allen herself is currently working on a new album in Nashville, her first she's recording while sober.
"I'm not trying to conquer the country market. I'm here because I love country music and always have loved country music; (but I'm) not saying that Beyoncé doesn't," Allen said. "I tell stories in my songs, and country music does the same thing."
Beyoncé asked listeners to enjoy 'art with no preconceived notions'
In February, Beyoncé – who's originally from Houston – became the first Black woman to top Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart after her single "Texas Hold 'Em" debuted at No. 1. "Cowboy Carter" features several genre-bending Black artists as well as country music legends Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Linda Martell.
Parton, who appears twice on the record, sang Beyoncé's praises after the album was released on Friday. "Wow, I just heard Jolene," she posted on Instagram. "Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it!"
"This ain't a country album. This is a Beyoncé album," the singer posted on Instagram ahead of the release of her eighth studio album.
"Being an innovator often means being criticized, which often will test your mental strength," she said in her acceptance speech for the Innovator Award at Monday's iHeartRadio Awards.
"My hope is that we're more open to the joy and liberation that comes from enjoying art with no preconceived notions."
Contributing: Caché McClay
veryGood! (19)
Related
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- Chris Christie’s next book, coming in February, asks ‘What Would Reagan Do?’
- Céline Dion lost control over her muscles amid stiff-person syndrome, her sister says
- Thousands rally across Slovakia to protest the government’s plan to amend the penal code
- Alex Murdaugh’s murder appeal cites biased clerk and prejudicial evidence
- Politicians, workers seek accountability after sudden closure of St. Louis nursing home
- Putin ratchets up military pressure on Ukraine as he expects Western support for Kyiv to dwindle
- Descendants fight to maintain historic Black communities. Keeping their legacy alive is complicated
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- UCLA gymnast Chae Campbell hits viral floor routine inspired by Wakanda in 'Black Panther'
Ranking
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- Justice Sandra Day O'Connor honored as an American pioneer at funeral
- Celine Dion's sister gives update on stiff-person syndrome, saying singer has no control of her muscles
- 'Charmed' star Holly Marie Combs alleges Alyssa Milano had Shannen Doherty fired from show
- Spooky or not? Some Choa Chu Kang residents say community garden resembles cemetery
- Jackson’s water rates to increase early next year
- Thousands rally across Slovakia to protest the government’s plan to amend the penal code
- China’s Alibaba names CEO Eddie Wu to head its e-commerce business as its growth falters
Recommendation
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Marvel universe drops Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror after conviction. Now what?
Climate talks call for a transition away from fossil fuels. Is that enough?
Colorado Supreme Court bans Trump from the state’s ballot under Constitution’s insurrection clause
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Japan’s trade shrinks in November, despite strong exports of vehicles and computer chips
Greece approves new law granting undocumented migrants residence rights, provided they have a job
Want to buy an EV? Now is a good time. You can still get the full tax credit and selection