Beyoncé Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton: 'You Were the Barometer'
Beyoncé has paid tribute to Dolly Parton following the country music icon's death on August 25 at the age of 80. In a statement posted to her official website, Beyoncé wrote: "Dolly, you were the barometer. The North Star. Bold and brilliant. Talented and tenacious. You taught so many lessons on how to be uniquely oneself. I am grateful for your art, your heart, your generosity, your humor, your entrepreneurship. I'm honored that I had the privilege to work with you. I will treasure that forever. Thank you for your profound impact on the world. You are an angel who has made this world a happier place because of your joyful art. You are truly one of one. Rest peacefully."
The tribute came hours after Parton's family announced her death. A statement from Parton's spokesperson described her as a "global icon and humanitarian" and said she "died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee." The statement added: "A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth and kindness that made us all feel like family." Parton's family also released a video message recorded by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who said: "The sadness lays with us, not with Dolly. Dolly has lived in the light and is in the arms of Jesus." Seaver noted that Parton was an inspiration to musicians across genres: "Dolly also opened doors for generations of singers, songwriters, musicians and dreamers from every walk of life. By her example, we believed that anything was possible."
A Collaboration Rooted in Respect
Beyoncé's tribute referenced the work the two artists did together on Beyoncé's 2024 album "Cowboy Carter." Parton appeared on the album with two cameos: she introduced the song "Tyrant" and had her own interlude, "Dolly P," just before Beyoncé's cover of "Jolene." On the interlude, Parton referenced Beyoncé's 2016 song "Sorry" and the line "Becky with the good hair," saying: "Hey miss Honey B, it's Dolly P. You know that hussy with the good hair you sing about? Reminding me of someone I knew back when, except she has flaming locks of auburn hair, bless her heart."
Beyoncé's version of "Jolene" was a reimagined cover that altered the original's lyrics and structure. Where Parton's 1973 original pleaded with Jolene not to take her man, Beyoncé's version turned the track into a more confrontative warning: "I can easily understand why you're trying to take my man / But you're not gonna get him, you're gonna go through me." The cover debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, surpassing the original's peak of No. 60 in 1974.
Parton's Approval and Support
Parton had hinted weeks before the release of "Cowboy Carter" that Beyoncé had recorded her own version of "Jolene." After the album's release, Parton posted on social media: "Wow, I just heard the song. Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it!" This came after Parton had publicly supported Beyoncé's turn to country music, notably after Beyoncé's "Texas Hold 'Em" became the first song by a Black woman to top Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.
In a June 2025 interview with People, Parton described herself as "a huge fan" of Beyoncé and praised the "Jolene" cover, explaining: "Hers was more like, 'Well, you're not getting him, you're not taking him, you're going to go through me to get him.'" Parton's admiration for Beyoncé, combined with Beyoncé's tribute, paints a picture of mutual respect that crossed genres and generations.
A Career Spanning Six Decades
Parton's death marks the end of a career that spanned more than six decades, with hits including "Jolene," "9 to 5" and "I Will Always Love You." Tributes from Beyoncé and others have highlighted not only her musical achievements but also her broader generosity and human spirit. As Seaver put it, Parton "had a light... that shone bright enough for the world to see."