JOLENE

Dolly Parton's "Jolene" is a classic country tearjerker, right up there with a lost dog and a tumbleweed. But Beyoncé took that song and gave it a good Texas two-step right into the danger zone for her Country Carter album. Same basic melody, mind you, like the dusty wallpaper in your grandma's house – comforting, familiar. But the lyrics? Oh boy, the lyrics get a whole new coat of paint. The story's the same, some Jezebel named Jolene setting her sights on another woman's fella. But in Dolly's version, it's all pleading and handwringing. "Jolene, Jolene, please don't take my man," she sings, like a magnolia wilting in the midday sun. Beyoncé, on the other hand, has no time for that. She knows what Jolene's game is, and she's ready to meet fire with gasoline. "Jolene, Jolene," she warns, "don't come for my man." No begging, no pleading, just a flat-out declaration. This Jolene better hightail it out of Dodge before Beyoncé puts on her boots.

Remember Beyoncé's fiery Lemonade, that visual album where she poured her heart out Jay-Z's infidelity? Her "Jolene" cover is a continuation of that saga. But Beyoncé's version of "Jolene" also reveals a deep, enduring love between the "Texas Hold 'Em" star and her husband. She sings about weathering storms together: Me and my man crossed those valleys Highs and lows and everything between Good deeds roll in like tumblin' weeds I sleep good, happy Sounds like a love that's been through the wringer and came out stronger.

Beyoncé throws in an all-male choir for the bridge and outro. These fellas belt out a declaration of unwavering loyalty: "I'ma stand by her, she will stand by me, Jolene," they proclaim, just in case Jolene (or anyone else) had any funny ideas.