Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’ is reimagined as a PSA about mask-wearing for ‘Karens’

‘I’m begging of you, please just wear a mask’

Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” has been reimagined as a PSA about wearing masks aimed at “Karens”.

Parton’s hit song made an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Thursday (23 July), where it was given a timely new meaning with the lyrics: “Karen, Karen, Karen, Karen / I’m begging of you, please just wear a mask.”

“Karen” is a slang term that has become internet shorthand for entitled white women who exploit their own privilege. During the coronavirus pandemic, it has been associated with people who refuse to wear masks in public, and who react violently when asked to do so.

The video features social media footage of these incidents, with the song taking aim at women who “go on rants at Trader Joe’s”, “throw good cold cuts on the floor” and say that “wearing masks is the devil’s law”.

The final chorus includes the lyrics: “I’m begging you please don’t lick that glass. Please just wear a mask, you big dumbass.”

The video has been watched more than 400,000 times, with one commenter joking: “And you thought Europe doesn’t allow Americans in because of Coronavirus.”

Another said: “Well, there’s a baby name that’s going to the bottom of the list.”