Dolly Parton has so many great songs to her credit. One of the very best, and most loved, is surely "Jolene." Per People, for the song's 52nd anniversary, the legendary performer posted a vintage video of herself on Instagram warbling the tune. It sounds wonderful as it did when it came out way back in 1973. A country music masterpiece of dramatic storytelling.
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The Story Behind the Classic Song
There is a true tale that gave rise to "Jolene." Per the outlet, a sassy redhead was coming on to Carl Dean, Parton's now-deceased hubby, at a bank. That incident took place not long after Dolly and Carl tied the knot years ago. The song's narrator implores Jolene, who seems sort of like a sensuous temptress, not to steal her guy away.
Eleven years ago, per the outlet via The Independent, Parton explained, "[The] song was loosely based on a little bit of truth," Parton said during Glastonbury Festival in 2014, per The Independent. "I wrote that years ago when my husband... was spending a little more time with Jolene than I thought he should be."
The iconic singer added a bit to that seventeen years ago via NPR. "She got this terrible crush on my husband. And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. It was kinda like a running joke between us — when I was saying, 'Hell, you're spending a lot of time at the bank. I don't believe we've got that kind of money.' So it's really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one."
Where Parton Got the Name Jolene
A good story about the name exists as well. Per People via NPR, Parton shared this. "One night, I was on stage, and there was this beautiful little girl — she was probably 8 years old at the time. And she had this beautiful red hair, this beautiful skin, these beautiful green eyes, and she was looking up at me, holding, you know, for an autograph."
She went on, "I said, 'Well, you're the prettiest little thing I ever saw. So what is your name?' And she said, 'Jolene.' And I said, 'Jolene. Jolene...' I said, 'That is pretty. That sounds like a song. I'm going to write a song about that.'" And true to her word, she did! Parton crafted a humdinger that has lasted for decades.
"Jolene" Has a Distinguished History
The track has been covered by a galaxy of notable artists like Beyonce and Miley Cyrus. It is enshrined in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Rolling Stone put it 63rd on its 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.
