Sorry, but I think this take is really off base.
Dolly is one of the heroes of the music world, based on what she4 has done for those who grew up with similar deprivations to what she experienced in her family, investing heavily in books for early childhood, etc.
She also has been very gifted in her field and generous among other songwriters and performers.
Beyonce is talented, though not my cup of tea (especially politically). And her Destiny’s Child origins give her more than enough credibility for, with Dolly’s blessing, making Dolly’s favorite of her own songs Beyonce’s as well.
Country actually has been experiencing a resurgence, including up to where I am in the Northeast, that is notable. But that Beyonce can give it a boost in the R&B/pop world as well is no small thing.
Dolly’s hip to that and bless her for helping her genre to ride the lift with her. That Beyonce might have slightly reimagined the song is no capital crime.
Of course it isn't, but it appears that she reduced lyrics rich in pathos and subtext into flat braggadocio. You may like the new version, but it doesn't compare as literature. It's more like a modern version of Loretta Lynn's "You Ain’t Woman Enough".
Dolly has made more money often from other artists covering her songs than when she sang it.
She famously refused Elvis because he wanted more than 50% credit.
Beyonce has given sole writing crediting to Dolly. Dolly is going to make a ton of money on this version. Doubt it hits the level of money from Whitney’s “I will always love you” version.
I read where Dylan wanted Guns N Roses to do his song because he needed the money. I think GNR sold more copies.
A Great cover pays homage to the original while becoming a new song in its own way.
Summertime Blues by The Who, You Really Got Me by Van Halen, any Dylan tune by Hendrix, Satisfaction by Devo, Whitney and I’ll Always Love You, and Johnny Cash’s Hurt. I’d even put In Luke Combs and Fast Car…these are the Great gold standards.
A terrible cover is forgettable.. The Gal Godot-led Imagine cover during the lockdown and Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Marilyn Manson reign supreme here.
The rest of them…well…range from nice to whatever.
This cover is not nice, but it’s not whatever for me. I will say, that the video is worse than the audio.
I actually prefer Beyonce’s take. Never cared for Dolly’s helpless victim tale.