Dolly Parton Updates Her Classic ‘Jolene’ for Her Rock & Roll Era

Dolly Parton couldn’t wait more than a weekend to start expanding her new rock album, Rockstar, quipping on Instagram yesterday, “Surprise! Did you all think I was done?”

As part of the “download exclusive version” of the album, Parton has tacked on two extra tracks: A new rendition of her classic “Jolene” featuring Måneskin, as well as a cover of Eddie Money’s 1977 hit, “Two Tickets To Paradise.

As it stands, the two bonus cuts are only available if you purchase the downloadable version of Rockstar on Parton’s website. Parton did, however, share a snippet of her “Jolene” remake with Måneskin on social media, along with video footage of the country legend and Italian glam rockers working on the recording in the studio. 

Rockstar marks Parton’s 49th solo album and was partly inspired by her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year. At first, Parton declined the nomination on the grounds that she was a country star, not a rock star, but eventually changed her mind after learning that Rock Hall wasn’t just for rock artists. Even still, Parton seemed compelled to live up to the honor, saying in an interview earlier this year: “If I’m gonna be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I’m gonna have to do something to earn it.”

So on Rockstar, Parton set about tackling (and expanding) the rock and roll canon with 21 covers and nine originals. Many of the covers find Parton working with the original artists, like Elton John for “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” Debbie Harry for “Heart of Glass,” and Sting for “Every Breath You Take.” Parton even got Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to reunite for a rendition of the Beatles’ “Let It Be” (also featuring Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood).

Other guests include Stevie Nicks, Miley Cyrus, Chris Stapleton, P!nk, Brandi Carlile, Lizzo, Simon Le Bon, Emmylou Harris, Sheryl Crow, Michael McDonald, and John Fogerty.

From Rolling Stone US.