
Song
Jolene
Dolly Parton
Album:
Meaning of Jolene by Dolly Parton, and what it is about
Even though she had penned the popular song "Coat of Many Colours," Parton was best known as Porter Wagoner's TV partner when she sang "Jolene" in 1974.
The song "Jolene" demonstrated how she could add her own flair to classic country music.
The child autograph seeker who served as the inspiration for the song's Jolene is quoted as saying, "I said, 'Well, you're the loveliest little thing I ever saw. So, what is your name? And she said, "Jolene." After having too many encounters with a flirtatious bank teller, Parton came up with the words for the song: 'She developed this horrible crush on my husband. She gave him so much attention, so he simply liked going to the bank. It resembled a continuous joke between us'.
The narrator of the song confronts Jolene, a breathtakingly gorgeous woman she fears may snatch her lover/husband away. The narrator begs Jolene repeatedly during the song, "Please don't take him just because you can." There is some ambiguity in the song on whether Jolene plans to steal the narrator's sweetheart. In 1988, Parton explained to the crowd that "Jolene" was based on a genuine story, which is why she preferred not to perform it much.
Jolene lyrics by Dolly Parton
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene
He talks about you in his sleep
There's nothing I can do to keep
From crying when he calls your name, Jolene
And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He's the only one for me, Jolene
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do, Jolene
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him even though you can
Jolene, Jolene
Release Date
1973
Songwriter/s
Dolly Parton
Producer/s
Bob Ferguson
Label/s
RCA Victor
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