Entertainment Music Country Music Lily Allen Says She Isn't a Fan of Beyoncé's Cover of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' Allen called it "very weird" that the 'Cowboy Carter' artist would choose to "cover the most successful songs in that genre" By Angel Saunders Angel Saunders Angel Saunders has been a writer at PEOPLE since 2023. She’s previously worked at iHeartMedia, IndieWire, and REVOLT. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on April 5, 2024 12:35PM EDT Close Lily Allen, Beyoncé. Photo: getty (2) Lily Allen isn’t the biggest supporter of Beyoncé’s version of “Jolene.” On the Wednesday, April 3, episode of the Miss Me? podcast that Allen, 38, cohosts with her friend Miquita Oliver, the pair shared their thoughts on the 32-time Grammy winner, 42, covering a Dolly Parton classic. “I don't think the 'Jolene' one's good," Oliver, 39, said as they discussed Cowboy Carter — Beyoncé’s eighth studio album. Paul McCartney Praises Beyoncé's 'Magnificent' Cover of 'Blackbird' on Cowboy Carter: 'I Am So Happy' “It's very weird that you cover the most successful songs in that genre," Allen replied. Beyoncé. Michael Buckner/Billboard via Getty “But I also feel like 'Jolene''s such an excellent song. Like, I've listened to the story of how Dolly Parton wrote it in about 20 minutes, like, over and over, because I just think it's so genius. And I don't know, it just felt a little bit like a kind of standard hip-hop beat under a 'Jolene' cover," Oliver said. She added, "It's like, 'Let's do something with this song. If we're going to take it apart and put it back together. I feel like Beyoncé could have done a bit more with that.” Allen agreed, adding, “Yeah, I just feel like it's quite an interesting thing to do when you're like trying to tackle a new genre and you just choose the biggest song in that genre to cover." Beyoncé Asks People to Be 'More Open to the Joy' of Art as She Receives Innovator Prize at 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards "I mean, you do you, Beyoncé, and she literally is doing her. Or is she doing Dolly?” the “Hard Out Here” singer said. Despite what Allen and Oliver think, the Houston native recently made history as the first-ever Black female artist to top the Hot Country Songs chart with her single "Texas Hold 'Em" in February. The same track also debuted at No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart. Following the achievement, she received praise from Parton, 78, herself. “I’m a big fan of Beyoncé and very excited that she’s done a country album,” the original “Jolene” hitmaker wrote in a statement via Instagram on Feb. 22. “So congratulations on your Billboard Hot Country number one single.” Beyoncé, Dolly Parton. getty (2) She’d also previously stated that she wished “someone like Beyoncé" would re-record the classic. The Renaissance singer has received praise from other country artists, including Maren Morris, June Carter Cash's daughter Carlene, and more. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. When announcing her album title back in mid-March, Beyoncé said via Instagram that the project “was born out of an experience that I had years ago where I did not feel welcomed.” “This ain’t a Country album. This is a Beyoncé’ album. This is act ii COWBOY CARTER, and I am proud to share it with y’all!” she concluded.