My final Hildegard Von Blingen’ bardcore selection tackles yet another genre: country. Here’s her take on the Dolly Parton classic ‘Jolene.’
One of the charms of these bardcore songs is the way Hildegard transforms the lyrics. So “I’m beggin’ you, please don’t take my man” becomes “I beg of thee, pray take not my lord.” No contractions, lots of -eths.
Continuing my countdown of the songs on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter…
#19. ‘Jolene’
A Beyoncé cover of one of country’s most iconic songs — Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ — should be a reason to celebrate. And this one is certainly a fun listen.
I do wish Queen Bey had delivered a faithful interpretation, though, rather than rewrite it as a rebuke to the woman trying to split up a marriage. The vulnerability, jealousy, and insecurity of the original is refreshingly, relateably human. This is a song that should have no room for bravado.
Or maybe flipping the script in that way is just the thought-provoking exercise an album this adventurous needs. I can see both arguments.
Proving there is no idea that won’t eventually end up as NetFlix programming, premiering on the platform this November is Heartstrings, an anthology series based on the songs of Dolly Parton.
Each of the first season’s eight episodes will be introduced by Ms. Parton and follow the plot of one of her many country tunes. Dolly plays a role in the first episode, based on perhaps her most well-known and beloved hit, ‘Jolene.’
Meet Me In Montauk 