Dolly Parton Recorded Welsh Version of Jolene
The posthumous single collaboration with Bronwen Lewis and Jada Star is set for release on October 9, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Country
Following her death on August 25, 2026, it was revealed that Dolly Parton recorded a Welsh version of her hit song Jolene. The track features a collaboration with singer Bronwen Lewis and Jada Star.
Why it matters
The project serves as a final musical contribution from the country legend, who left behind a vast legacy of over 3,000 written songs. It highlights a unique cross-cultural bridge through the translation of one of her most iconic works.
Dolly Parton achieved a career marked by 10 Grammy wins and more than 100 million records sold globally. She composed over 3,000 songs during her prolific songwriting tenure.
The players
Dolly Parton
She was a legendary country singer-songwriter who wrote over 3,000 songs and won 10 Grammy awards.
Bronwen Lewis
She is a musician from Neath who translated the song Jolene into Welsh.
Jada Star
She is a musical artist who collaborated on the Welsh-language version of Jolene.
The details
The collaboration began after Bronwen Lewis, who is from Neath, posted a viral video of herself performing a Welsh-language translation of Jolene two years ago. Lewis worked alongside Jada Star to complete the project with the late country icon.
Timeline
2024: Bronwen Lewis posted a video singing Jolene in Welsh.
August 25, 2026: Dolly Parton died.
October 9, 2026: The single will be released.
Industry Dynamics
This release follows the precedent set by the 2016 release of David Bowie's final album Blackstar, emphasizing the industry's approach to posthumous musical offerings. It continues a cultural trend of finalizing and sharing late-stage creative projects with global audiences.
Fans worldwide will be able to stream or purchase the new Welsh-language version of the track starting on the scheduled release date. This project provides a final opportunity for listeners to engage with new material from the artist.
The takeaway
This collaboration demonstrates how viral social media content can bridge cultural divides and influence mainstream recording projects. It serves as a reminder of how digital platforms continue to reshape the legacy of legendary songwriters.
What happens next
The Welsh version of the song Jolene is scheduled to be released as a commercial single on October 9, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more background on the genre in our Country section.
