Dolly Parton Responds to Critics of Her Beyonce Collaboration in 'Cowboy Carter'

Dolly Parton doesn't seem to be interested in any negative comments about Beyoncé's first country album, Cowboy Carter.

She hinted that she doesn't have time for haters in an Instagram post on Monday, April 1. The post featured a clip from her 1982 movie, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

In the video, Parton sings as Mona and emphasizes the song “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place” from the beginning of the film. She sings, “Are you listening good? Keep them leeches and bloodsuckers off the back roads.” She also sings about knowing how to use a gun and protecting her girls. She encourages honesty and direct communication, saying, “Don’t gripe and whine behind my back / Just tell me face to face, I’m open-minded, say it all / Then go upstairs and pack, the door’s that way.”

Parton reiterated the song’s message in her caption by writing, “The door is that way.”

Dolly Parton Seemingly Claps Back at Critics of Her Appearance on Beyonce Cowboy Carter 2

Beyoncé Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

Fans quickly saw the upload as a subtle show of support for Beyoncé, who has been receiving criticism for her latest release, Cowboy Carter, featuring a cover of “Jolene” and two spoken-word intros by Parton.

In the comments section of Parton’s post, one fan exclaimed, “Dolly P with the clapback AND WE LIVE FOR IT!” Another user added, “She's definitely speaking to some of you. Read the room!!!” while another commented, “Dolly is asking, do we have a problem?”

Cowboy Carter has been praised by fans and critics, but some critics believe Beyoncé shouldn't venture into country music after focusing on pop and R&B for years. John Schneider, who faced backlash for a controversial statement about President Joe Biden, compared Beyoncé's country music attempt to a dog marking its territory.

During a February interview with One America News Network after Beyoncé released the album’s first two singles, Schneider, 63, expressed his thoughts. He said, “They’ve got to make their mark, just like a dog in a dog walk park. You know, every dog has to mark every tree, right? So that’s what’s going on here.”

Dolly Parton appreciates Beyoncé's new country sound, even if others like Schneider may not. Parton defended Beyoncé's choice to explore different music genres, expressing her excitement for Beyoncé's country album success. Parton congratulated Beyoncé on her Billboard Hot Country number one single and eagerly anticipated the release of the full album.

When Beyoncé released her entire album, which included a cover of Parton's iconic song "Jolene," Parton expressed her admiration for Beyoncé's interpretation. Parton took to Instagram to share her thoughts, praising Beyoncé for giving a fresh and exciting twist to "Jolene." Parton acknowledged Beyoncé's talent and playfully noted that the girl in the song was in for some trouble.

In 2022, Parton expressed her desire for Beyoncé to cover her song "Jolene," which she originally recorded in 1973. During an interview with Trevor Noah on The Daily Show, Parton mentioned, "I don’t know if she’s even got the message, but wouldn’t that be killer? 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 powerhouses."

Editor's P/S:

Dolly Parton's response to the criticism of Beyoncé's country album, "Cowboy Carter," is a testament to her grace and support for fellow artists. Parton's post, with its lyrics about confronting detractors head-on, subtly conveys her stance on the matter. Fans have interpreted it as a symbolic defense of Beyoncé, who has faced criticism for her foray into country music. Parton's encouragement of open and honest communication aligns with her own values of authenticity and respect.

The article highlights Parton's admiration for Beyoncé's versatility and talent. She has expressed excitement for Beyoncé's success in the country genre and praised her unique interpretation of "Jolene." Parton's unwavering support underscores the importance of embracing diversity and innovation in music. It also challenges the notion that artists should be confined to specific genres or styles, allowing for greater artistic freedom and creativity.