Spotify uploads lyrics for Dolly Parton’s Welsh version of Jolene in Irish
Spotify mistakenly displayed the lyrics for Dolly Parton’s Welsh-language version of “Jolene” as Irish, before removing them after the BBC asked the service about the error. The mix-up drew attention to a posthumous release that brings together Parton, Welsh singer-songwriter Bronwen Lewis and Parton’s niece, Jada Star.
The single was released on 9 October, after being recorded before Parton died on 25 August. Lewis had translated the song into Welsh and shared it on social media, prompting Star to suggest a collaboration; Lewis and Star recorded in the UK, while Parton recorded in Nashville. “Jolene”, first released in 1973, has since passed one billion Spotify streams, and Parton sold more than 100 million records during her seven-decade career.
In short
- Spotify labelled the Welsh lyrics as Irish.
- The lyrics were removed after the BBC’s enquiry.
- Parton recorded the collaboration before her death.
Americas Art Culture Entertainment Music World