Bey's version of "Jolene" is interesting and sounds great as a record to me. You just need to approach it as a new song, not a botched cover of Dolly's version.

 

That said, I'd definitely rank it towards the bottom of the album. It sets up "Daughter" really well, I'll give her that. Otherwise not a standout for me.

"highs and lows and everything betweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen" 

 

I'm sorry no one can make not love Jolene, not with that outro! 

Imagine 9 to 5 in between Bodyguard and Daughter 

Jolene on CC is far better and more interesting than just a straight cover. 

1 hour ago, Kristie Kuwa said:

Covering Jolene is just the most unoriginal thing to do in music. Its been done multiple times. Its just not giving. A 9 to 5 cover, now THAT would've been awesome. Jolene is honestly just overrated

 

The reason why Whitneys cover of I will always love you by Dolly worked so well is because most people didnt know the original (at least not across the pond) and because her version sounds way different AND much better. None of these 2 criteria work for Beyonces Jolene

The 89th thing that doesn't realistically make sense without the visuals. No one has ever been hurting to hear a Dolly cover from Bey, besides Dolly. I said months ago- the song sounds like a chore to get through and it almost feels as if she has to add it to the finished concept because Dolly has mentioned or alluded to the cover. 
 

That said, the song sounded like a breath of fresh air during the Christmas Halftime show. The live arrangement felt like she actually had an emotional attachment to the new lyrics and actually liked performing it. The song definitely needs to be on the set list. If there's songs that need to be axed or shortened, I'm sure there's plenty of options with the slower songs, But "JOLENE" fits perfectly with "DADDY LESSONS" and "TEXAS HOLD'EM", at least based on the instrumentation. 

I wish she did removed Jolene from the halftime show and did Most Wanted with Miley, she was in a car anyway 

1 hour ago, QueenB said:

hear me out but I had a vision of texas hold em mixed with formation and she tells the ladies to get in formation and they start hee-hawing and line dancing

 

did said vision include a mangled jolene cover or are we safe ? 

 

Jolene cover portion is lower end of CC the outro is one of the highlights. 
 

Also absolutely no axing Formation or Diva. Formation as the FWT opening, with the THX bass kicking in was an unforgettable experience. The way you physically feel the bass fly through the stadium. Same with RWT with the spinning lights and bass. That was a production highlight. Diva can't be cut because it's finally got its shine with the younger generation (watch her cut it now when it makes the least sense).

 

 

15 minutes ago, ScorpiosGroove said:

did said vision include a mangled jolene cover or are we safe ? 

 

my vision has that as an interlude, but only for 30 seconds

 

4 hours ago, Brikenbur said:

COWBOY CARTER in Spatial Audio Dolby Atmos 

not you lying, where is it available to listen to

 

1 hour ago, king_queen said:

Imagine 9 to 5 in between Bodyguard and Daughter 

that wouldn't contribute to the story nor make any sense in the context of CC

knowing her she will cut Diva now when she should perform it after a decade of unnecessary performances (apart from Homecoming, that was amazing)

 

Screaming at the Jolene slander. 

 

WTF...

 

I really enjoy CC, but if we're keeping it 100, with a commercial/GP ear the clear standouts are:

 

Bodyguard

Jolene (!)

Texas

Tyrant

Levii's 

Riiverdance

II Most Wanted

Yaya

 

With a critical ear,  one can add the likes of:

 

American Requiem

Daughter

II Hands II Heaven

16 Carriages

 

IMO, I will forever feel the Jolene slander is simply due to the fact it's a cover of a prominent song. In BeyLand, there will always be more excitement around all-new tracks. 

 

That said, she will 100% be performing it at the CC tour and it will be a major part of the show.

4 hours ago, giRLbye. said:

idk why yall have such a problem with "Jolene"...i can understand the original but Beyonce has the definitive version now bby...at least for me

i see why ppl like jolene but personally its not a standout for me. yes, it support the country aesthetic but thats about it. plus switching the lyrics is a bit..

 

i prob like jolene better if it was not on the album but performed solely on tour. 

Jolene is not one I usually go back to ngl

Yall don't think Jolene sounds overproduced? It would've been better lighter on the production 

2 hours ago, QueenB said:

not you lying, where is it available to listen to

 

I just said, "COWBOY CARTER in Spatial Audio Dolby Atmos"

 

as in,

 

"how amazing would CC be in SADA be" 

Edited February 18, 20251 yr by Brikenbur

I love the little "what's" in Jolene.

 

I dk why.

Jolene is not a standout but would be elevated if done live. I need Pony Up in THE tho that version should've smashed 

Edited February 18, 20251 yr by Doogle

love diva but she can take a rest this tour 

 

i didn't know jolene was this polarizing. i really like jolene, there is something about it that, works. i think she individualized the song enough without killing off the original. 

it is one of the highlights for me, personally.

The Jolene outro is really strong but I can't get through the first bit.

 

The album in general is slightly over produced. It could have been paired back and think stronger for it 

48 minutes ago, QueenB said:

love diva but she can take a rest this tour 

 

I Care can also. Bring Irreplaceable  back

Am I pushing it for Dance for You?

6 hours ago, SoJro101 said:

"highs and lows and everything betweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen" 

 

I'm sorry no one can make not love Jolene, not with that outro! 

I would have loved her to add an extra "eeeeeeen" when she sings "your peace depends on how you moove Joooleeeenne(eeeeeeeen).