Released: 2024
Right off the jump, Beyoncé’s “JOLENE” gives us a reinterpretation of Dolly Parton’s classic, but this time embodying hip-hop’s brassy defiance. It’s a song about marital loyalty, confronting temptation, and asserting one’s place, all served icy hot with unique Southern sass.
The lines “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, I’m warning you, don’t come for my man (Jolene)” introduce the track and the situation. ‘Jolene’ represents the other woman who’s eyeing her man. But Queen Bey ain’t playing, delivering a stark warning straight off.
In the verse touching upon “You’re beautiful beyond compare…To come between a family and a happy man,” Beyoncé isn’t denying Jolene’s beauty. But, she asserts that beauty and flirtation alone won’t disrupt her family. She is stating that it takes more than superficial allure to disrupt a deep and enduring relationship encapsulated in the lines “We been deep in love for 20 years, I raised that man, I raised his kids.”
The line “I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisianne (don’t try me)” reinforces Bey’s roots and toughness. ‘Banjee’ is a term originating from New York’s queer scene in the 90s, suggesting a certain street-smart, tough femininity. She roots her identity in her Creole heritage, reminding Jolene that she’s not the one to be messed with.
When she spits “There’s a thousand girls in every room that act as desperate as you do, you a bird, go on and sing your tune, Jolene,” it’s pure hip-hop- swagger flooded with shade. ‘Bird’ in hip-hop slang refers to someone who’s insignificant, and Bey’s telling Jolene to keep chirping because her noise won’t disturb her peace.
Closing out the track, the lyrics “I know my man’s gon’ stand by me, breathing in my gentle breeze… I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me, Jolene” offer a final expression of confidence. Beyoncé’s certain her man will stay true, both of them standing firm against any threats. The ‘planted seeds’ metaphor suggests their deep-seated love and shared history, something a temporary distraction like Jolene can’t uproot.
So, to sum up, “JOLENE” is a shining example of Beyoncé’s grit and sass, delivering a fierce message of loyalty and resilience while upholding her dignity in the face of potential betrayal.
