Bad Wolves will release a heavy metal version of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” on August 31, turning what was intended to be a collaboration with the country legend into a tribute following her death earlier this week.
The song was originally recorded for Bad Wolves’ forthcoming album, with the idea of having Parton contribute her own vocals. According to founder John Boecklin, the band’s new singer had been posting videos covering “Jolene,” which inspired the group to put its own heavy metal spin on the classic.
After hearing the finished demo, Bad Wolves label CEO Dan Waite sent the track to Parton’s manager, Danny Nozell, with a request for Parton to appear on the recording. The band was subsequently told that Parton had heard the song, loved their version and planned to record her vocals. The necessary stems were then sent to her studio engineers.
That collaboration will now never take place. Parton died on August 25 at the age of 80 following a brief battle with cancer.
Rather than let the song disappear, Bad Wolves have decided to use it to honor Parton and support one of the causes closest to her heart. Proceeds from “Jolene” will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the flagship program of the Dollywood Foundation.
The Imagination Library, founded by Parton in 1995, provides free, age-appropriate books to children from birth to age five, regardless of their family’s income. The program has distributed more than 300 million books worldwide and currently mails more than three million books each month.
“Jolene” will be released by Bad Wolves on Monday, August 31, 2026.
Boecklin says the band hopes the release can help continue Parton’s commitment to literacy and ensure that her generosity reaches another generation.
The story carries an added connection for Bad Wolves. In 2018, the band released its cover of The Cranberries’ “Zombie” shortly after Dolores O’Riordan’s death, with proceeds donated to her children.
For Bad Wolves, “Jolene” now becomes more than a metal reinterpretation of one of Parton’s best-known songs. It is a tribute to an artist whose influence reached far beyond country music and a way for the band to help continue the charitable work that defined so much of her legacy.
“Jolene” is available now via Better Noise Music. Listen here.
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