Dolly Parton's Posthumous Welsh Language Cover of Jolene Released
A bilingual English and Welsh cover of Dolly Parton's classic hit Jolene, featuring Parton, her niece Jada Star, and Welsh singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis, has been released on a Friday. According to Star and Lewis, Parton was proud to sing in Welsh, recording her parts at her Nashville studio in early 2025 before her death on 25 August. The release marks Parton's second posthumous single.
Key points
- A bilingual English and Welsh cover of Jolene was released on Friday, featuring Dolly Parton, Jada Star, and Bronwen Lewis.
- The song was recorded at Parton's Nashville studio in early 2025 before her death on 25 August.
- The collaboration was suggested by Jada Star after Bronwen Lewis went viral with her Welsh translation of the track.
- This marks Dolly Parton's second posthumous single.
What Happened
A bilingual English and Welsh cover of Dolly Parton's hit song Jolene has been released, featuring Parton alongside her niece Jada Star and Welsh singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis. The track marks Parton's second posthumous single following her death on 25 August.
According to a teaser video, Bronwen Lewis started translating some of her favourite tunes in 2024 and recorded a video of herself singing a Welsh version of Jolene. After the video went viral, Jada Star travelled to Wales, bonded with Lewis, and suggested recording the track with her aunt.
Context
Before her death, Parton spent time understanding the phonetics of Lewis's translation and recorded her parts at her studio in Nashville in early 2025. On the track, Parton recites that heartbreak sounds the same in every language.
Parton previously revealed her Welsh ancestry to fans during a 2008 concert in Cardiff. While family belief pointed to Conwy, research by Conwy council archives following her death suggested her ancestors originated from Machynlleth in Powys.
What's Next
Fans worldwide reacted positively to the release of the new single. Before her death, Parton also revealed she recorded a song with U2 slated for a November release, as well as a track kept in a time capsule scheduled for release in 2046.
Why it matters
The release provides fans with a unique bilingual collaboration and a posthumous addition to Dolly Parton's extensive musical catalog, highlighting her personal connection to Welsh culture and language.
