Dolly sings it with desperation. He sings it like he’s already defeated. This is a glorious cover. I can’t stop listening.

Something that's undeniably impressive about Dolly's songwriting is that anyone could sing them and it would sound like they're singing about their own life in a very personal way.

He should honestly do more of this darker country/western blues sound, he has the voice for it.

i love how there's not ONE SINGLE COVER of this song that sounds bad. it's like it has the formula of a universally good song or something, idk. i just love it.

You know, between resurrecting Billy Ray Cyrus's career and this, Lil Nas X is a surprisingly dignified country musician in a very undignified era of country music.

I come from a very conservative country where it's all too common for loving gay couples to break apart because one dude's parents forced him to marry a woman. You can't compare this to Dolly's version, but hearing Nas -- a gay man -- begging a woman not to take away the only love he'll ever know just hits too close to home.

My mouth literally dropped open when he sang the first Jolene. Goddamn, his voice sounds so dark and crisp and rich. I've never heard him like this before, I didn't know I needed a cover of Lil Nas singing Jolene until he gave it to us. Bro I had a eargasm fr, if he doesn't put out any more covers or songs in this tone, a part of me will die.

He has such a velvety tone. I'd love to see him do some of the old classic Xmas songs.

His voice is so deep and rich its really nice to listen to!

The way he delivers this sounds like poetry. Truly a fantastic cover.

Soulful and heart wrenching and then also so refreshing to hear a man sing about loving another man and possibly losing that love.

I have never listened to Lil Nas X before hearing this, but it is great to hear a rendition of Jolene sung in a more masculine, basso tone with a somber musical arrangement. I actually prefer this version to the original, Dolly Parton is an incredible singer but I have always wanted to hear this song in a style like this. Thank you for the wonderful cover, Lil Nas X. I hope more talented male singers (outside of the country genre) will give us great covers of old classics like this!

His voice sounds like he’s haunted by the thought of Jolene being with his man. Someone else said Dolly sings with desperation and he sings with defeat and I cannot think of a more poignant way to describe this. He strikes me as a true artist who we will look back on with the same respect and adoration that we do with all other musicians who broke, challenged, and changed the mold.

He sings it like Jolene already took his man and it’s his last attempt to keep him. Love it.

It’s so good he sings it like he’s already broken but dolly sings it passionately. I love this version he should do more of this style of music cause he has got the voice for it😊

This is an absolutely brilliant rendition of a classic. Dolly has to be proud of this, the entire way he sings it is perfect. He keeps just enough of the original, but at the same time, he sings it in such a way that it becomes a different thing entirely. Flawless. I am a fan.

I don't know why, but I am like many other women who feels as if Lil Nas is like a son who we want to do well. And he is doing well. Stay good young man.

i swear, if he made an album entirely like this, i’d buy 8 copies for every room ill’be in

His talent scares me sometime, there's no stopping this man

I love how without changing a single word the song takes on a whole new meaning. In the original it feels like the antagonist is Jolene trying to take her man but here I feel like it's "the man" taking both Jolene and the singer for a ride, probably seeing dudes behind Jolene's back but not having the courage to come out and make a commitment.

He starts by collabing with Billy Ray, then moves on to his daughter Miley, then goes on to cover her godmother’s song. This man’s out here playing 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon through the whole music industry with killer songs!

He sings this song so respectfully. He did not try to outshine the original artist. He sung this song so right in his lane ... I just love it

That first note hit me like a truck. Stunning. Gorgeous cover, and it's great to see him doing something different

Doesn't matter what your sexuality is, you can't deny Lil Nas X has a good voice

The moments when he looks into the camera mentioning how he can't compete with her, omg. He really put himself in the song

I loved this he sounds like he's exhausted and about to cry. which adds a unique tone on the song. in a good way I promise. On a random side note I would LOVE to hear his version of Fancy by Reba.

Man.. this dude here! He told yall long ago on the road he got what you waiting for. He delivered this perfectly. He didn't try to out do Dolly, but made it his. I love it!

I think this is brilliant. He sings it with such melancholy and it hits so deep

I was NOT ready for this and he just utterly slayed the song.

Dolly said she was honored and flattered by this cover, and that makes my day just a little bit better :)

You know music is done right when it makes you feel something, and this guy sings it like he means it (great voice too). I think Dolly would love this cover.

can't get this out of my head omg i love him 😭😭

Sheesh. He sang this like he already knew his man was lost to Jolene.

🥺 this register of Montero’s voice is mesmerizing. Absolutely beautiful

This is actually a beautiful rendition. The way he stares at the camera in the beginning and mouths Jole-e-ene.

I have no idea who this young man is but he floored me with his rendition of Jolene! Such a soulful voice...

The bbc live lounge literally never disappoints

I love everything about this. His voice. His fit. The mic with flowers. The band. EVERYTHING

He's always able to surprise his audience. Great song as well as his interpretation. As many said before one can feel it. Love his performance.

I've listened to every version of this song I can get my hands on. There is just something so plaintive and heartbroken about the lyrics that they require revisiting, and he did such a great job of communicating those feelings while adding his own style.

I can't get over how seamlessly he creates a harmony with any music genre he touches

Damn that low husky voice melting in your ears!! Incomparable!

This gave me the shivers my lord the talent of this man!

THE DEEP VOICE IS CHILLING THAT'S IMPRESSIVE 🙂🤠

Lil Nas X is so unapologetically authentic. I love that he inspires others to be themselves and I’m in love with his range!

One minute he's eating out Satan the next he's singing in a smoky back roads honky tonk. He definitely keeps my attention. That's for sure.

This cover is amazing. His voice is gold 🎉

He is one of the few actually good modern artists in his class. He doesn't use auto tune. He's just so talented and I love it

I got chills. His voice is so deep and velvety, which when juxtaposed with the lyrics just make the pleas to Jolene sound so heart wrenching.

Lil Nas X's versatility is what is he is going to be remembered for!

Dolly sings to convince Jolene Lil nas x sings like he's already lost him to her ooof so much feels🥰😭love it

This is my first time hearing 'Jolene' and hearing Lil Nas X sing This is amazing

This literally came out of left field and fucking killed me, I’m dead now, I have ascended and this is all I care about

God his voice is beautiful. You can tell he’s been working on it and it’s so fucking good

The way he closes his eyes while saying jolene for the last time is so touching

Just shows the talent of Dolly that her songs are still being covered like this nearly 5 decades later she is a Queen!

I think this is a really nice stripped-down version of the song. It doesn't have the soaring desperation that a more conventional cover may have, but there is a kind of quiet sadness to it that's beautiful.

I love Lil Nas X. He doesn't let anyone anyone tell him who to be and this makes him AWESOME! His version of "Jolene" is haunting and beautiful. 😢❤

That. Voice. God, I miss the days when a deep, velvety baritone was prized and held high in popular music.

I will never judge an artist by their stage name ever again. What a multitalented, thoroughly versatile performer and legit musician he turned out to be.

I can see a whole story via his way of storytelling… Nas’s character is in love with a bisexual guy and Jolene brought out all the insecurities he got in his relationship. I love this version so much.

Love this young man. He constantly keeps getting better and better . what an amazing talent !

I hope this is already on Spotify 😭😭

Lil Nas X has genuinely come so far in such a short amount of time. Montero is by far my favorite album this year - and that says a lot. Very proud of what he has accomplished and even what he has done behind the scenes. Cant wait to see what the future holds.

I have to say this is excellent, it’s feels like he’s fighting a losing battle

To be honest... The simplicity of this really dug deep... And honestly I this touched a part of my soul I didn't think could be touched. Mostly, I didn't know how much I needed him to sing this song until he did 😂

I LOVE this rendition. Absolutely the best of the best.

Like, how did he add a different color to this classic? The version I never knew I needed. I can’t wait to hear what Dolly has to say.

This shit just hits DIFFERENT. I got absolute chills. Nas is so talented

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene I'm begging of you please don't take my man Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Please don't take him just because you can Your beauty is beyond compare With flaming locks of auburn hair With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green Your smile is like a breath of spring Your voice is soft like summer rain And I cannot compete with you Jolene He talks about you in his sleep And there's nothing I can do to keep From crying when he calls your name Jolene And I can easily understand How you could easily take my man But you don't know what he means to me Jolene Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene I'm begging of you please don't take my man Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Please don't take him just because you can You could have your choice of men But I could never love again He's the only one for me Jolene I had to have this talk with you My happiness depends on you And whatever you decide to do Jolene Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene I'm begging of you please don't take my man Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Please don't take him even though you can Jolene, Jolene

The way he sings the song is very unique...I love it

This is a FASCINATING take on Jolene, clearly informed by Nas' range and experience. The tone feels almost akin to a small town gay man losing the only bi man in town to a girl because it's "easier this way, no matter how much I love you", at least, that's the way the defeat and resignation in his voice as he sings "please don't take him just because you can" reads to me. Gotta say, enjoyed this a great deal more than I was expecting, Jolene is a tough song to cover given Dolly set the bar so high!

He is such a well-rounded artist and I cannot get enough.

I want this song in this version to be played at my funeral. It somehow makes me transcend to peace.

This man has TALENT.

"Jolene" has always had a bi-vibe to me (Dolly REALLY thinks Jolene is stunning, there's one thing admitting someone is beautiful, another to think their smile is like the breath of spring if you know what I'm saying) but now it's really put the forefront with a man might leaving another man for a woman. I love it so much. Brilliant cover.

I don’t want to take anything away from rap because he is such a great rapper, but he should really consider going more into rock and country, his voice is so beautiful and powerful here.

God if he could do a whole country album that would be lit, his voice is so rich and pretty

Omg his voice is so smooth and relaxing,,,an absolutely GORGEOUS rendition of this song!

Need this the full version on Spotify , apple music and every damn music platform

He has such a deep and rich tone to his voice. I got goosebumps. Maybe the country gimmick wasn't such a gimmick after all lol

This is beautiful, absolutely amazing. I'm 56 and loved the original, this has brought a whole new life to it. I love it ❤️

My favorite cover of Jolene

Lil Nas X showing his versatility right here.

OKAY NOW PUT THIS ON SPOTIFY SO I CAN LISTEN TO IT ALWAYS

eu amo a versão dele,o sentimento que ele coloca como se tivesse desistido

I never dreamed a man could cover this song...but it happened. Not sure how i feel about it. He did a great job but the passion Dolly has and her desperation, make the song. Great job.❤

Dolly Parton is clapping and crying happy tears right now, i guarantee it. Why? Because she LOVES when people take her music and make it their own and she doesn't have a hateful bone in her body! This was gorgeous to watch and hear.

I’m just saying that LNX and Dolly have the same aesthetic and I would die if they collaborated

Why is this kinda flipping amazing wth

"(country music intensifies)" might be the funniest subtitle i've ever seen

Can we take a moment and appreciate Lil Nas X's flawless skin?? Sir drop that skin care routine 😍

His understated delivery is absolutely stunning, heartbreaking, and mesmerizing. I love him more with every song he puts out. He defies stereotypes and I'm here for it!

"You can have your choice of man/But I can never love again/He's the only one for me" sounds very different when it's one man singing to a woman about another man.

The accent and the way he sings it sets a whole new mood

My takeaway: It's definitely what I'd deem a transformative cover. ignoring the obvious context shift toward reimagining the narrative as a bisexual interracial love triangle. (That's relevant and interesting, but also the low hanging fruit) Dolly's original version is so heavily vocally driven that the music is almost an afterthought. His lower register and slightly slower tempo, electric guitars that would be perfectly at home with Nancy Sinatra's rendition of Bang Bang and the heavier emphasis on the percussion all work to deliver a completely different emotional tenor. Dolly gave us a narrative of burning desperation. Scrambling to salvage the relationship. LNX gives us the empty ache of a despair already beyond salvation, already knowing that the damage is done and there's no going back.

This works on so many levels , it's not even funny. You see a guy who is so desperate to save his relationship with his man that he reaches out to the threat to that can ruin it, begging her to leave them alone because it's pretty much all that he has and doesn't know what else to do. Such a powerful rendition of this song. I love it.

His voice is like running my hand over a fabric of the purest velvet , so soft and smooth with zero imperfections

Shivers from the first bars and crying by the end. Insanely talented man.

As a 74yo gay man, I feel like a proud auntie to whole generation of people living their authentic (and fabulous!) selves!!!