Country music critic Oliver Anthony has sparked controversy with his scathing criticism of Beyoncé’s recent country album, “Cowboy Carter,” and her rendition of Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene.”
In a YouTube video posted on Wednesday, December 4, Anthony didn’t hold back, calling the album “complete trash” and labeling her take on “Jolene” as “total cringe.
Anthony, who rose to fame with his hit Rich Men North of Richmond, shared this criticism while discussing his own experiences with the music industry. He revealed that after his breakthrough success, a management team he briefly worked with suggested that he publicly endorse Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. Anthony outright rejected the idea, saying it felt dishonest.
“One of the guys I worked with wanted me to make some stupid f—king post about Beyoncé’s country album, about how it was good, even though it was complete trash. It makes me just want to throw up,” Anthony shared in the video. He didn’t stop there, going on to dissect Beyoncé’s attempt to reinterpret Parton’s beloved track. “Even half trying to listen to the beginning of her version of ‘Jolene,’ it’s just total cringe,” he added.
“It represents how degenerative our society has become, Anothy continued. “That a song like a Beyoncé version of ‘Jolene’ can come out and anybody actually listen to it and think it’s not just complete trash. So I was supposed to make a post, basically trying to associate myself with Beyoncé in hopes of us doing some kind of song together, but you know, how many people do that? How many artists do you follow on social media that have never even looked at their social media, and you’re just reading words and posts and things that were written by somebody that you’ve never even met, that aren’t the artist, that don’t even necessarily work directly for the artist … It’s so much theatrics and illusion and characterizations that are built in this whole thing to like to keep people hanging on for more.”
Dolly Parton herself applauded Beyonce’s take on “Jolene” and is featured on the cover.
“Wow, I just heard Jolene. Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble, and she deserves it,” Dolly Parton wrote.
