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Beyoncé’s best covers, from Dolly Parton to Prince
As Beyoncé is about to step onto the stage of the Stade de France in Paris on June 19th, 21st and 22nd, 2025, Numéro takes a look back at her best covers, from Dolly Parton and Prince to Whitney Houston and Lauryn Hill.
By Violaine Schütz,
and Jordan Bako.
1. Beyoncé’s revenge song with Dolly Parton’s Jolene
In 1973, American singer and country icon Dolly Parton released the poignant song Jolene about a housewife triggered by a seductress who, she believes, is having an affair with her husband. Over fifty years later, Beyoncé tackles this musical landmark on her stunning album Cowboy Carter (2024). But her rendition carries a more assertive, vengeful energy than Dolly Parton’s version. The latter actually makes several appearances in the form of interludes throughout Queen Bey’s album.
When the blonde singer seemed to cry and beg her rival not to take her man, Jay-Z’s wife sounds far more threatening, especially in the lyrics, which she edited in some parts of the song. Already one of the most beautiful records of 2024, another cover is giving us chills – Blackbird (1968) by the Beatles. This version was even endorsed by singer and composer Paul McCartney himself.
2. Beyoncé’s energetic cover of Diana Ross’s I’m Coming Out in Tokyo
How to do justice to the eternal brilliance of icon Diana Ross? By letting Beyoncé work her magic on stage. In 2008, Queen Bey performed one of the disco queen’s anthems in Tokyo – the legendary I’m Coming Out. Just like Diana Ross, Beyoncé dazzles with her contagious energy during her performance, swirling across the stage and engaging with her audience as her rendition of the disco classic becomes ever more emotional…
More than sixty years after its release, I’m Coming Out remains an iconic anthem of the queer community. A community close to Beyoncé’s heart, for which she stands up in her album Renaissance (2022). Fun fact: Diana Ross later joined Beyoncé on stage during one of the Renaissance World Tour concerts to celebrate Queen Bey’s 42nd birthday…
3. Beyoncé’s haunting cover of I’d Rather Go Blind by Etta James
Nearly half a century after its original release, I’d Rather Go Blind (1967) by singer Etta James, a blues classic, was the object of an heartbreaking cover by Beyoncé. In the film Cadillac Records (2008), which recounts the rise and fall of Leonard Chess, known for launching the careers of major R&B artists, the American performer delivers a mesmerizing and poignant live performance. Actor Adrien Brody, who plays Leonard Chess in the film, seemed quite moved by Beyoncé’s rendition in her role as Etta James. Queen Bey has also repeatedly covered another iconic songs by Etta James – the sublime At Last (1961).
4. Beyoncé and Tina Turner’s electrifying cover of Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival
This remains one of the most iconic moments in the history of the Grammy Awards. At the 2008 ceremony, Beyoncé and her idol Tina Turner teamed up for a powerhouse cover of Proud Mary (1969) by rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival. The two stars matched each other step for step and note for note in a wild, high-octane performance. A few years earlier, in 2005, Beyoncé had already paid tribute to Tina Turner by singing Proud Mary at the Kennedy Center Honors. The track by Ike and Tina Turner had reached the top of the charts back in 1971.
5. Beyoncé’s moving cover of I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston
Few singers can take on the monumental romantic ballad I Will Always Love You (1992), famously performed by Whitney Houston for the Bodyguard soundtrack, without falling flat or sounding off-key. Indeed, with her powerful voice, Beyoncé can handle anything. During her Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013–2014), the star would introduce her anthem Halo (2008) with a reinterpretation of I Will Always Love You able to give chills to the most jaded of us. She also performed the song at a gala in 2016 and as a tribute to actor Paul Walker in 2013. Each time, the emotion is just as overwhelming…
6. Beyoncé’s moving cover of Ex-Factor by Lauryn Hill
Beyoncé has never hidden her admiration for Lauryn Hill. In an interview with the BBC back in 2009, Queen Bey admitted that the rapper’s track Ex-Factor was one of her favorite songs. So it comes as no surprise that she eventually chose to cover it…
Five years after that interview, during her On the Run Tour, Beyoncé delivered a deeply moving rendition of this song from Lauryn Hill’s legendary album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. That record was eventually named the greatest album of all time by Apple Music in May 2024… Shortly after the performance, Lauryn Hill praised Beyoncé’s interpretation in a tweet: “I heard an extract from Beyoncé singing Ex-Factor. What a beautiful voice and what a wonderful honor. She’s so talented.”
7. Beyoncé’s emotional cover of The Beautiful Ones by Prince
Between Beyoncé and Prince, there has always been a long story love and mutual respect. Not only did the two artists perform a duet at the 2004 Grammy Awards, but she has also paid tribute to the late music genius on several occasions. She notably covered his song The Beautiful Ones at the Glastonbury Festival in 2011. Then, she delivered a poignant rendition of that track from the 1984 album Purple Rain in Dallas in 2016, following the death of the “Kid from Minneapolis”. More than a beautiful ballad, the song explores the theme of infidelity and perfectly fits into Beyoncé’s repertoire. It particularly echoes the themes she tackled in Lemonade, which addressed Jay-Z’s betrayal.
Cowboy Carter (2024) by Beyoncé, available now. Live at Stade de France in Paris on June 19th, 21st and 22nd, 2025.
