Ella Langley Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton With Smoldering Version of ‘Jolene’

Ella Langley performed Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” at a Nashville tribute concert, giving the 1974 hit a smouldering rendition that drew on Parton’s original arrangement. The performance honoured Parton’s influence and connected with Langley’s own recent success with “Choosin’ Texas”, a song that also centres on romantic rivalry.

Katy Perry introduced Langley’s performance by calling Parton “the blueprint”. Parton wrote “Jolene” after a bank teller attracted her husband’s attention, though she described the song’s origins as innocent. The 21 October event at Belmont University aired live on ABC and Disney+, with proceeds supporting Parton’s Imagination Library; it is set to stream on Hulu from 22 October.