Todd In The Shadows Reviews "Jolene" by Beyonce

[rabbitofalice]

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Todd in the Shadows does a deep dive into the pre-history of Cowboy Carter, reviews the cover of the country classic, and makes an AOTY prediction in the wake of TTPD's release.

Beyonce's "Jolene"
- Todd in the Shadows (@ShadowTodd) April 4, 2024

Have you added Jolene by Beyonce to your playlist?

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Comments

[vapor]

I never heard Jolene before this album. I listened to Beyonce's, then Dolly's, then Beyonce's, and Beyonce's felt sooooo... idk, less vulnerable. I don't know if "cringe" is the right word, but it seems the original Jolene is about fear and want and need, and Beyonce completely took that away.

[vapor]

been listening to the rest of CC on repeat, though

[screamingintune]

someone on the Beyonce subreddit pointed out the narrative connection with the album between "Jolene" and "Tyrant" and it changed my opinion on it. Essentially that "Tyrant" has all the vulnerability and awe that "Jolene" does not. Both songs are introduced by Dolly so that signifies the connection.

I also think that given that the original song is very clearly written about a white woman, it would have felt awkward for Beyonce to sing it as a straight cover, so the lyrics did need to be changed somewhat if she was going to do that song.

[goldenhera]

Just said this upthread! There are clear connections between nu!Jolene and Tyrant. I also find it laughable that the new version is 'cringe' (hate that word!) when the old version has a woman begging and pleading for another to leave her man alone. Lol, both protagonists are being ridiculous over a man!

[januarysix]

I always thought that Jolene was unique because of the begging and pleading and vulnerability. All the other country songs from loretta lynn to carrie underwood show the obvious don't mess with my man or ridiculing the hussy side of jealousy.

Dolly did something different and like another commenter above mentioned its almost queer with the way she describes how beautiful Jolene is.

[skeetertuskin]

yes, it's that desperation of i could never be as beautiful as you are, thus could never win this battle - you can have any man you want, just leave mine alone.

the white stripes cover remains superior. and the fact that jack white didn't change genders takes the queer/bi angle even further.

[la_petite_singe]

Not the biggest fan of that cover, no. But I can live with her finally winning AOTY for this! Should've been Lemonade, but w/e.

[alex_haruko]

Never forgiving nor forgetting that she didn't get AOTY for Lemonade!

I'm not even a Beyonce stan but I'm still angry about that, it really drove home how racist and ridiculous the music industry is

[iwillshutup]

I loved CC and I am a fan of cringe country music but I hate what she did with Jolene. The song to me went from cool for the age Parton released it to a pick me anti feminist anthem. The part where she says she raised her man???? Girl you should want Jolene to take him from you if he’s just another child you have to take care of. And the contradiction of saying you know your man won’t leave but also warning a woman to stay away and threatening her is so ???? Anyway Beyoncé is rich and all I have is my phd stipend that barely pays for food and rent of a shared place so who am I to say I know better than her

[phililen3]

The lyrics are bad. Took the song from sad and pathetic chasing a man who doesn't want to be with you to RAISING A MAN. Just bad to worse.

[sentinelsoul]

Have you heard Chapel Hart's take on the song?

https://youtu.be/lizBVO4MWFA?si=G4RtL9F6OR0YxcFI

It probably doesn't fit with Beyonce's general vibe, but I like its flipped outlook better. If Beyonce could have done something more akin to it-- or, hell, did a version of it with Chapel Hart, I think it would have hit better.

Overall I don't hate Beyonce's take, just mostly indifferent.

[jjazz59]

I agree about Chapel Hart.

[phililen3]

I skip this song.

I love Daughter for Carp Mio Ben. Overall, the album is pretty good.