When Dolly Parton teamed up with Pentatonix to reinvent “Jolene,” a country classic suddenly found a whole new sound. Dolly’s unmistakable voice blended with the group’s intricate harmonies, vocal percussion, deep bass, and beatboxing, turning the familiar heartbreak anthem into something fresh and surprisingly powerful.
Originally written and recorded by Dolly in 1973, “Jolene” became a No. 1 country hit the following year. More than four decades later, Pentatonix gave the song a modern a cappella makeover without losing the emotion and storytelling that made the original timeless.
Released in 2016 through Cracker Barrel’s Spotlight Music program, the collaboration quickly became a viral favorite, eventually collecting tens of millions of YouTube views. It also reached No. 18 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
The biggest recognition came at the 2017 Grammy Awards, where Dolly Parton and Pentatonix won Best Country Duo/Group Performance. Their version of “Jolene” became more than a cover—it was a meeting of generations that introduced one of country music’s most enduring songs to a new audience.
