A new version of Dolly Parton’s classic Jolene, featuring the country legend duetting with the late Olivia Newton-John, has been released.
Originally recorded for Dolly’s 1974 album of the same name, the new track was the last to be recorded before the singer and actress passed away last year.
It’s set to feature on ‘Just the Two of Us: The Duets Collection’ – consisting of recordings from throughout the star’s celebrated career – and in an accompanying video Olivia says that she “always wanted to sing with Dolly.”
“I’m so excited to be working with Olivia Newton-John, one of my favourites of all time,” the 9 to 5 hitmaker says in another clip. “We’ve always kind of stayed close through the years and I am just so proud to be a part of this duet project that she’s doing.”
The pair were friends since Olivia won the Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year award in 1974 for her song If You Love Me (Let Me Know), making her the first non-American born artist to win the award, and in a press release, she said prior to her passing that Dolly was “always there” for her.
“What she did for me early on in my career in Nashville is something I will never forget,” she added.
Olivia died of breast cancer in August 2022, aged 73.
‘Just the Two of Us: The Duets Collection’, featuring duets with Mariah Carey, John Travolta, Barry Gibb, her daughter Chloe Lattanzi and others, is due May 5 and available to pre-order now.
