Jolene (song)#Pentatonix
{{Short description|1973 single by Dolly Parton}}
{{Other uses|Jolene (disambiguation){{!}}Jolene}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2021}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Jolene
| image = Jolene by Dolly Parton US single side-A.png
| caption = Side A of US single
| type = single
| artist = Dolly Parton
| album = Jolene
| B-side = Love, You're So Beautiful Tonight
| released = October 1973https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/dolly-parton-jolene-single-released
| recorded = May 22, 1973https://americansongwriter.com/dolly-parton-recorded-her-iconic-no-1-hit-jolene-this-day-1973/
| studio = RCA Studio B, Nashville
| genre = Country
| length = 2:42
| label = RCA Victor
| writer = Dolly Parton
| producer = Bob Ferguson
| prev_title = Traveling Man
| prev_year = 1973
| next_title = I Will Always Love You
| next_year = 1974
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|Ixrje2rXLMA|"Jolene" (audio)|link=no}}}}
}}
"Jolene" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Dolly Parton. It was produced by Bob Ferguson and recorded at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee on May 22, 1973, then released in October 1973, by RCA Victor as the first single and title track from her album of the same name.
Considered by music critics to be one of the most representative songs of the country genre, the song was ranked No. 217 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004 and No. 63 on the revised version of the list in 2021.{{Cite web |last=Weisner |first=Molly |date=September 17, 2021 |title=Dolly Parton, patron saint of Tennessee, gets her due in Rolling Stone's top 500 songs list |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/awards/2021/09/17/dolly-parton-tennessee-rolling-stones-top-500-songs-list/8379611002/ |access-date=November 22, 2023 |website=Tennessean}} The song was nominated at the Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance twice, in 1975 and 1976 for its live recording.{{Cite web |title=Dolly Parton {{!}} Artist |url=https://grammy.com/artists/dolly-parton/17205 |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=Grammy Awards}}
The song was covered in English and Spanish by many artists, including Olivia Newton-John, the White Stripes, Miley Cyrus and Måneskin. Pentatonix 2016 version won the Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. In 2024, Beyoncé covered the song with significant changes in lyrics and production; the version reached the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart.
Background
According to Parton, the song was inspired by a red-headed bank clerk who flirted with her husband, Carl Dean, at his local bank branch around the time they were newly married. In an interview, she also revealed that Jolene's name and appearance are based on that of a young fan who came on stage for her autograph.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/glastonbury-2014-so-whos-jolene-9574451.html |title=Glastonbury 2014: So who's Jolene? |author=Simon Usborne |date=July 1, 2014 |work=The Independent |access-date=September 2, 2017 |archive-date=March 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200318234830/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/glastonbury-2014-so-whos-jolene-9574451.html |url-status=live }} The real-life namesake may actually be Juline Whelan, noting her first name has always been confused with Jolene.{{Cite news |last=Kurjata |first=Andrew |last2=Tucker |first2=Jordan |date=2016-08-25 |title=Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' may be a British Columbia nurse |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/dolly-parton-s-jolene-may-be-a-british-columbia-nurse-1.3734082 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240701102330/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/dolly-parton-s-jolene-may-be-a-british-columbia-nurse-1.3734082 |archive-date=2024-07-01 |access-date=2024-12-21 |work=CBC}}
The guitar parts on the recording were performed by Chip Young{{cite web |url=http://www.nashvillescene.com/music/article/13057379/chip-young-legendary-nashville-session-guitarist-and-producer-dies-at-76 |title=Chip Young, Legendary Nashville Session Guitarist and Producer, Dies at 76 |first=Adam |last=Gold |date=December 22, 2014 |work=Nashville Scene |access-date=July 14, 2017 |archive-date=September 3, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903163143/http://www.nashvillescene.com/music/article/13057379/chip-young-legendary-nashville-session-guitarist-and-producer-dies-at-76 |url-status=live }} and Wayne Moss.{{Citation |title=The Guitars Of Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Featuring Chip Young & Wayne Moss - Ask Zac - 124 | date=June 14, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39UGjHxqZl4 |access-date=2024-03-09 |language=en}} Young played the primary thumb-picked part with Moss playing the complementary steel-string part that enters on the second refrain. Young got the fingerpicking pattern from a similar pattern played by Joe South.{{Citation |title=Chip Young Plays Iconic Intro's to Records He's Played on including "Jolene" by Dolly Parton | date=May 23, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xebsEaTeFg |access-date=2024-03-09 |language=en}}
During an interview on The Bobby Bones Show in 2018, Dolly Parton revealed that she wrote "Jolene" on the same day that she wrote "I Will Always Love You".{{Cite web|url=https://www.out.com/music/2019/3/19/dolly-parton-wrote-jolene-and-i-will-always-love-you-one-day|title=Dolly Parton Wrote 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You' in One Day|date=March 19, 2019|website=www.out.com|language=en|access-date=March 28, 2019|archive-date=December 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201211190042/https://www.out.com/music/2019/3/19/dolly-parton-wrote-jolene-and-i-will-always-love-you-one-day|url-status=live}}{{cite web| url= https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/dolly-parton-2-songs-one-day/| title= Did Dolly Parton write 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You' in one day?| first= Bethania| last= Palma| date= October 25, 2019| website= Snopes.com| access-date= December 28, 2019| archive-date= January 2, 2022| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220102123834/https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/dolly-parton-2-songs-one-day/| url-status= live}} Parton said in a later interview “I don’t really know if they were written in the same night“.{{Cite news |date=March 4, 2022 |title=Dolly Parton debunks tale of writing 'Jolene,' 'I Will Always Love You' on same day |url=https://www.kentucky.com/news/nation-world/national/article259049603.html |work=Lexington Herald Leader}}
Content
The song tells of the narrator confronting Jolene, a stunningly beautiful woman, who she worries will steal away her lover/husband. Throughout the song, the narrator implores Jolene "please don't take him just because you can." The song is unclear about whether or not Jolene intends to steal the narrator's lover, an ambiguity that has been addressed in several answer songs.{{r|lawn|cweekly|scott}} Onstage in 1988, Parton told the audience that "Jolene" was a true story and the reason she did not like to sing it too often.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0eeSoU35wM YouTube] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200616182343/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0eeSoU35wM |date=June 16, 2020 }}, live January 10, 1988; published January 31, 2011; retrieved May 17, 2020
In 2019, the podcast Dolly Parton's America had an episode addressing the question of whether the narrator's focus on Jolene's beauty and desirability is indicative of her own attraction to Jolene. A musicologist wrote and performed a fourth verse which makes this interpretation explicit; when the podcast's hosts played audio of this performance for Parton, she responded that this was "another take on it".[https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/dolly-partons-america/episodes/only-one-me-jolene Dolly Parton's America: The Only One For Me, Jolene] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308220445/https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/dolly-partons-america/episodes/only-one-me-jolene |date=March 8, 2021 }}, at WNYC; published November 19, 2019; retrieved January 17, 2020
Release
The song became Parton's second solo number-one single on the country charts after being released as a single in October 1973 (prior to the album's release). It reached the top position in February 1974; it was also a moderate pop hit for her and a minor adult contemporary chart entry. {{As of|2019|December}}, the song had sold 935,000 digital copies in the US since it became available for digital download.{{cite web |last=Bjorke |first=Matt |title=Top 30 Digital Country Tracks – Pure Sales: December 9, 2019 |url=http://roughstock.com/news/2019/12/44071-top-30-digital-country-tracks-pure-sales-december-9-2019 |work=Rough Stock |date=December 8, 2019 |access-date=December 30, 2019 |archive-date=December 25, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225190105/http://roughstock.com/news/2019/12/44071-top-30-digital-country-tracks-pure-sales-december-9-2019 |url-status=live }}
The song was released as a single later in the UK, and became Parton's first top ten hit song in the country, reaching number seven in the UK Singles Chart in 1976.{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/dolly-parton-s-biggest-hits-of-the-digital-age-in-the-uk-revealed__16085/|title=Happy Birthday Dolly Parton! Her most downloaded songs in the UK revealed|last=Copsey|first=Rob|date=January 19, 2017|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=March 21, 2017|archive-date=March 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322205856/http://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/dolly-parton-s-biggest-hits-of-the-digital-age-in-the-uk-revealed__16085/|url-status=live}} The song also re-entered the chart when Parton performed at the Glastonbury festival in 2014. The song has sold 255,300 digital copies in the UK as of January 2017.
Legacy
The song is considered by music critics to be one of the most expressive songs in the country genre.{{Cite news |last=Grogan |first=Siobhan |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Why Jolene remains the best country song of all time |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/what-to-listen-to/why-jolene-is-the-best-country-song-of-all-time/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite web |last=Dukes |first=Billy |date=March 15, 2023 |title=38 Famous Songs Every Country Fan Should Know by Heart |url=https://tasteofcountry.com/most-famous-country-songs/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=Taste of Country}} In 2014 Rolling Stone ranked the song number nine on their 2014 list "100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time".{{Cite magazine |date=June 1, 2014 |title=100 Greatest Country Songs of All Time |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/100-greatest-country-songs-of-all-time-11200/9-dolly-parton-jolene-1973-12930/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |magazine=Rolling Stone}} The song was also ranked No. 217 on Rolling Stone{{'}}s list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004, and No. 63 on their revised list in 2021.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/dolly-parton-jolene-20110527 |title=The RS 500 Greatest Songs of All Time |date=December 9, 2004 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=September 2, 2017 |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023231131/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/the-500-greatest-songs-of-all-time-20110407/dolly-parton-jolene-20110527 |url-status=live }} In a 2024 update of their rankings, Rolling Stone expanded their ranking to the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time, this time placing "Jolene" at number one on the list.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-country-songs-1234986540/dolly-parton-jolene-4-1235013494/|title =The 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time|magazine = Rolling Stone|date =May 24, 2014}} Genius placed the song at 38th on their list of "The 100 Best Country Songs Of All Time Lyrics".{{Citation |title=Country Genius – The 100 Best Country Songs Of All Time Lyrics |url=https://genius.com/Country-genius-the-100-best-country-songs-of-all-time-lyrics |access-date=April 8, 2024 |publisher=Genius}} Time includes the song on their 2011 list of the "All-TIME 100 Best Songs".{{Cite magazine |last=Suddath |first=Claire |date=October 21, 2011 |title=Is 'Jolene' one of the All-TIME 100 Best Songs? |url=https://entertainment.time.com/2011/10/24/the-all-time-100-songs/slide/jolene-dolly-parton/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |magazine=Time |issn=0040-781X}}
Time Out ranked the songs at the second place on their list "The 35 best country songs of all time".{{Cite web |last=Ammirato |first=Alyssa |date=August 9, 2022 |title=The 35 best country songs of all time |url=https://www.timeout.com/music/best-country-songs-of-all-time |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=Time Out}} Parade placed the song second on their list of the "101 Best Country Songs of All Time".{{Cite web |last=Osmanski |first=Stephanie |date=November 25, 2023 |title=Yeehaw! Get Down on Saturday Night With the 101 Best Country Songs of All Time |url=https://parade.com/entertainment/best-country-songs |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=Parade}} The Tennessean includes the song on their 2019 list of "The 100 best country songs of all time", writing that it "crosses genre and generations, a once-in-a-world song without boundaries".{{Cite web |last1=Watts |first1=Cindy |last2=Leimkuehler |first2=Matthew |last3=Paulson |first3=Dave |date=August 25, 2019 |title=What are the all-time greatest country songs? These 100 top our list |url=https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2019/08/25/best-country-music-songs-all-time/1760586001/ |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=The Tennessean}} NME also includes the song on their 2018 list of "The 25 Best Country Music Songs of All Time".{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Leonie |date=April 15, 2018 |title=The 25 best country music songs of all time |url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/25-best-country-music-songs-time-1951105 |access-date=April 8, 2024 |website=NME}}
In the film The Intervention (Clea Duvall; 2016), Annie (Melanie Lynskey) tells Lola (Alia Shawkat), "Nobody likes a Jolene," after the younger woman stirs up trouble among a group of older couples by making a play for several individuals among them.
The song's international popularity became apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic when the New Zealand government put the country in lockdown. A newspaper summary of "essential things to know" explained that washing one's hands with soap should take "as long as it takes to sing the 'Happy Birthday' song twice or the chorus of Dolly Parton's hit song 'Jolene.'"{{Cite web|url=https://www.noted.co.nz/currently/currently-currently/10-essential-things-you-need-to-know-about-coronavirus?ref_email=aGFycmlldC5tYXJnb2xpc0BnbWFpbC5jb20%3D|title=NZ going into lockdown: 10 essential things you need to know about Covid-19|date=March 25, 2020|website=Noted|access-date=March 25, 2020}}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} According to Parton, "Jolene" is her most frequently covered song.{{cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2008/10/09/95520570/dolly-partons-jolene-still-haunts-singers |title=Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' Still Haunts Singers |date=October 9, 2008 |work=NPR |access-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-date=March 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324191506/https://www.npr.org/2008/10/09/95520570/dolly-partons-jolene-still-haunts-singers |url-status=live }}
Awards
"Jolene" was nominated for the Grammy Awards for Best Female Country Vocal Performance twice, in 1975 and 1976. The first nomination was for the original recording, and the second was for a live recording from the TV series In Concert. It did not win either time. However, in 2017, a cover by the a cappella group Pentatonix won the Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance; this version featured Parton as a guest singer.{{cite news |title=Dolly Parton and Pentatonix win country duo/group performance award for 'Jolene' |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-grammys-live-updates-dolly-parton-and-pentatonix-win-country-1486939222-htmlstory.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170705171417/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-grammys-live-updates-dolly-parton-and-pentatonix-win-country-1486939222-htmlstory.html |archive-date=July 5, 2017 |access-date=April 10, 2017 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
=Weekly charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" |
| Chart (1976)
!Peak |
|---|
| {{single chart|Ireland2|8|song=Jolene|rowheader=true|access-date=September 6, 2019}} |
| {{single chart|UK|7|artist=Dolly Parton|song=Jolene|date=19760619|rowheader=true}} |
{{col-2}}
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!Chart (1974) !Position |
| scope="row"|US Hot Country Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine |title=Billboard Hot Country Songs – Year-End Charts (1974) |url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1974/hot-country-songs |magazine=Billboard |access-date=December 4, 2020 |archive-date=August 30, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210830210002/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1974/hot-country-songs |url-status=live }}
|align="center"|6 |
|---|
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=single|award=Platinum|number=3|relyear=1973|artist=Dolly Parton|title=Jolene|certyear=2021|access-date=February 3, 2022}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|type=single|award=Platinum|relyear=1973|artist=Dolly Parton|title=Jolene|certyear=2021|id=10045|access-date=March 12, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=single|artist=Dolly Parton|title=Jolene|award=Platinum|number=4|relyear=1973|source=radioscope|access-date=January 19, 2025|certyear=2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Norway|artist=Dolly Parton|award=Platinum|type=single|certyear=2021|access-date=November 5, 2021}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Dolly Parton|title=Jolene|award=Gold|type=single|certyear=2024|access-date=September 9, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|relyear=2004|certyear=2025|artist=Dolly Parton|title=Jolene|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|id=12880-30-1|accessdate=31 January 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|relyear=1973|certyear=2023|artist=Dolly Parton|title=Jolene|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|accessdate=May 24, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|relyear=2001|certyear=2021|artist=Dolly Parton|title=Jolene|award=Platinum|number=3|type=single|source=artist|access-date=March 4, 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true|nosales=true|streamsonly=true}}
Olivia Newton-John version
{{Infobox song
| name = Jolene
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Olivia Newton-John
| album = Come On Over
| released = {{start date|1976}}
| recorded =
| studio =
| length = 3:07
| genre = Country
| label = EMI
| writer = Dolly Parton
| producer = John Farrar
| prev_title = Come On Over
| prev_year = 1976
| next_title = Don't Stop Believin'
| next_year = 1976
}}
In 1976, Olivia Newton-John recorded a version and released it as the second and final single from her seventh studio album, Come On Over, in selected countries.{{Cite web|date=February 24, 2016|title=10 Awesome Renditions of Dolly Parton's "Jolene"|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/dolly-parton/10-awesome-renditions-of-dolly-partons-jolene/|access-date=September 21, 2020|website=pastemagazine.com|language=en|archive-date=March 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210324164624/https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/dolly-parton/10-awesome-renditions-of-dolly-partons-jolene/|url-status=live}} In Japan, the song peaked at number 11 on the Oricon Singles Chart.
The single was released in Australia in early 1978, peaking at number 29.
The song was a part of the 1982, 40-city Physical Tour set list, then became a popular concert event on HBO in 1983.
In 2022, the song was included on the reissue of Olivia Newton-John's Greatest Hits, her first greatest hits album.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Newton-John created an in-studio duet with Parton, with the performance captured on video.{{Citation |title=Olivia Newton-John - Jolene ft. Dolly Parton | date=February 17, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikbHeZBocPU |language=en |access-date=2023-02-27}} The duet was released as part of Newton-John's first posthumous album, Just the Two of Us: The Duets Collection (Vol. 1).{{Cite web |last=Shutler |first=Ali |date=2023-02-19 |title=Watch new footage of Olivia Newton-John singing 'Jolene' with Dolly Parton |url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/news/music/watch-new-footage-of-olivia-newton-john-singing-jolene-with-dolly-parton-3401074 |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=NME |language=en-AU}}
=Track listing=
- "Jolene" – 3:03
- "Wrap Me in Your Arms" – 3:03
=Charts=
==Weekly charts==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
!Chart (1976–1978) !Peak |
| scope="row"|Australian (Kent Music Report){{Cite book|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, NSW|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=217}}
|align="center"|29 |
|---|
==Year-end charts==
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
! Chart (1978) ! Position |
| scope="row"| Australia (Kent Music Report){{cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/0gmvDHH.jpg|title=Kent Music Report No 236 – 1 January 1979 > National Top 100 Singles for 1978|publisher=Kent Music Report|via=Imgur.com|access-date=8 January 2022}}
| 99 |
|---|
The White Stripes version
{{Infobox song
| name = Jolene (Live Under Blackpool Lights)
| cover = Jolene (under blackpool light).jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = the White Stripes
| album = Under Blackpool Lights
| released = {{start date|2004|11|15}}
| venue = Empress Ballroom (England)
| length = 3:18
| genre =
| label = XL
| writer = Dolly Parton
| producer = Jack White
| prev_title = There's No Home for You Here
| prev_year = 2004
| next_title = Blue Orchid
| next_year = 2005
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|yXlULkwhgrc|"Jolene"}}}}
}}
"Jolene (Live Under Blackpool Lights)" was released as a live single by American garage rock band the White Stripes on November 15, 2004.{{cite magazine|title=New Releases: Singles|magazine=Music Week|page=25|date=November 13, 2004}} Misprinted as November 13 on source. A studio version was previously released as the B-side to "Hello Operator", a single from their 2000 album De Stijl. Another live performance of the song is featured on the 2010 live album Under Great White Northern Lights.
The single reached No. 16 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 12 in Norway, No. 28 in Flanders, and in Australia was ranked No. 10 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004. In 2013, it was voted one of the greatest live covers by readers of Rolling Stone magazine.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-greatest-live-cover-songs-20130212/6-the-white-stripes-jolene-0758477 |title=Readers' Poll: The Greatest Live Cover Songs |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=February 12, 2013 |access-date=September 2, 2017 |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814055756/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/pictures/readers-poll-the-greatest-live-cover-songs-20130212/6-the-white-stripes-jolene-0758477 |url-status=live }} In 2024, it was ranked the second best cover of the song by Billboard.{{Cite web |last=Nicholson |first=Jessica |date=2024-03-29 |title=Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’: 10 Best Covers |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/dolly-parton-jolene-best-cover-songs/ |access-date=2024-07-09 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}
=Track listing=
- "Jolene (Live Under Blackpool Lights)"
- "Black Math (Live Under Blackpool Lights)" {{small|(only on CD version)}}
- "Do (Live Under Blackpool Lights)" {{small|(only on vinyl flip side)}}
=Charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
!Chart (2004–2005) !Peak |
| {{single chart|Flanders|28|artist=The White Stripes|song=Jolene|rowheader=true|access-date=December 24, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Wallonia Tip|12|artist=The White Stripes|song=Jolene|rowheader=true|access-date=December 24, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Ireland3|42|artist=The White Stripes|rowheader=true|access-date=January 19, 2020}} |
| {{single chart|Norway|12|artist=The White Stripes|song=Jolene|rowheader=true|access-date=December 24, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Scotland|16|date=20041127|rowheader=true|access-date=December 24, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|Sweden|55|artist=The White Stripes|song=Jolene|rowheader=true|access-date=December 24, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|UK|16|date=20041127|rowheader=true|access-date=December 24, 2018}} |
| {{single chart|UKindie|1|date=20041127|rowheader=true|access-date=December 24, 2018}} |
{{Clear}}
Pentatonix version
{{Infobox song
| name = Jolene
| cover =
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton
| album = PTX, Vol. IV - Classics
| released = September 16, 2016
| recorded =
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = A cappella
| length = 2:11
| label = RCA
| writer = Dolly Parton
| producer = Ben Bram
| chronology = Pentatonix
| prev_title = If I Ain't Got You
| prev_year = 2016
| next_title = Hallelujah
| next_year = 2016
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist = Dolly Parton
| type = single
| prev_title = Forever Country
| prev_year = 2016
| title = Jolene
| year = 2016
| next_title = Head Over High Heels
| next_year = 2016
}}
}}
In September 2016, the American a cappella group Pentatonix released a cover of the song with Dolly Parton herself as feature artist.{{cite web |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/jolene-feat-dolly-parton/1151582560?app=itunes |title=Jolene (feat. Dolly Parton) – Single by Pentatonix on Apple Music |website=iTunes |date=September 16, 2016 |access-date=October 8, 2016 |archive-date=February 20, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220215338/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/jolene-feat.-dolly-parton/id1151582560?app=itunes |url-status=live }} The cover won the Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
=Charts=
{{Clear}}
Beyoncé version
{{Infobox song
| name = Jolene
| cover =
| alt =
| type = Song
| artist = Beyoncé
| album = Cowboy Carter
| released = March 29, 2024
| recorded =
| studio =
- Kings Landing West (Los Angeles, CA){{cite AV media notes|title=Cowboy Carter|others=Beyoncé|year=2024|publisher=Columbia Records, Parkwood Entertainment}}
- Parkwood West (Los Angeles, CA)
- The Trailer (East Hampton, NY)
- Westlake (Hollywood, CA)
| venue =
| genre = * Country pop
| length = 3:09
| label = * Parkwood
| writer = Dolly Parton
| producer =
- Beyoncé
- Khirye Tyler
- Jack Rochon
- Nova Wav
- Alex Vickery
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|x9XHMK3nWr4|title="Jolene"}}|header=Lyric video|type=song}}
}}
American singer Beyoncé recorded a cover of "Jolene", with significant lyrical changes, and included it on her eighth studio album Cowboy Carter, released on March 29, 2024.{{Cite magazine |last=Chan |first=Anna |date=March 28, 2024 |title=Dolly Parton Has a Message to Share After Seeing 'Jolene' on Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' Tracklist |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/dolly-parton-jolene-beyonce-cowboy-carter-tracklist-1235643342/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite web |last=Quinci |first=LeGardye |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Beyoncé Made Some Fiery Changes to the Lyrics of Dolly Parton's "Jolene" and We Are Living For It |url=https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/music/beyonce-jolene-lyrics-compared-dolly-parton/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=Marie Claire Magazine}}
At the 2024 People's Choice Country Awards the cover was nominated for The Cover Song of the Year.{{Cite web |last=Grein |first=Paul |date=August 14, 2024 |title=Zach Bryan, Beyoncé & More Lead 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards Nominations: Full List |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/2024-peoples-choice-country-awards-nominations-list-zach-bryan-beyonce-1235752506/ |access-date=August 14, 2024 |website=Billboard}}
= Background and release =
On March 11, 2024, ahead of the release of Cowboy Carter, Dolly Parton revealed in an interview with Knox News that Beyoncé asked to record a cover of the song.{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=March 11, 2024 |title=Dolly Parton: 'I Think' Beyoncé Recorded 'Jolene' and 'It's Probably Gonna Be on Her Country Album' |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/dolly-parton-beyonce-jolene-renaissance-act-two-1235938227/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=Variety}}{{Cite web |last=Del Rosario |first=Alexandra |date=March 12, 2024 |title=Beyoncé's 'Jolene' cover may be on the way, Dolly Parton shares: 'I'm very excited' |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-03-12/beyonce-jolene-new-renaissance-album-dolly-parton |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=Los Angeles Times}} After the song's release, Parton praised the cover, writing that "I just heard 'Jolene'. Beyoncé is giving that girl some trouble and she deserves it".{{Cite web |last=Vallone |first=Sara |date=April 1, 2024 |title=Dolly Parton speaks out after Beyoncé releases cover of 'Jolene' |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/dolly-parton-speaks-out-after-beyonce-releases-cover-of-jolene/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=The Seattle Times}}{{Cite web |last=Bohannon |first=Molly |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Dolly Parton And Miley Cyrus Praise Beyoncé After Appearing On 'Cowboy Carter' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mollybohannon/2024/03/29/dolly-parton-and-miley-cyrus-praise-beyonc-after-appearing-on-cowboy-carter/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=Forbes}}
= Lyrics and production changes =
The cover of the song features changes in the lyrics and production of the song.{{Cite magazine |last=Mendez II |first=Moises |date=March 29, 2024 |title=How Beyoncé's 'Jolene' Cover Changes Its Meaning |url=https://time.com/6961819/beyonce-jolene-cover-changes/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |magazine=Time}}{{Cite web |last=Wang |first=Steffanee |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Beyoncé Changed The Lyrics Of "Jolene"— And Reclaimed Country |url=https://www.nylon.com/entertainment/beyonce-jolene-lyrics-meaning-explained |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=Nylon}}{{Cite news |last=Shaw |first=Rebecca |date=April 4, 2024 |title=What's so bad about a reboot? It doesn't dilute the original, it adds to it |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/apr/05/beyonce-dolly-parton-jolene-cover-reboot-comment |access-date=April 5, 2024 |work=The Guardian |issn=0261-3077}} Nevertheless, all songwriting credits were given to Parton.{{Cite web |last=Geraghty |first=Hollie |date=April 1, 2024 |title=Beyoncé gives Dolly Parton sole songwriting credit on 'Jolene' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/beyonce-gives-dolly-parton-sole-songwriting-credit-on-jolene-3611869 |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=NME}} On Beyoncé's version the bridge has additional melodies and includes a choir of voices backing up the singer.{{Cite magazine |last=Atkinson |first=Katie |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Beyoncé's 'Jolene' Lyrics vs. Dolly Parton's Original: What's New & What's the Same? |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/lyrics/beyonce-jolene-lyrics-vs-dolly-parton-original-1235644425/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}} Lauren Boisvert of American Songwriter pointed out that although the melody is the same in both the songs, Parton's one is "twangy on the guitar" while Beyoncé's cover "employs a smoother guitar sound backed by a pulsing beat to tie the song into her pop/R&B roots".{{Cite web |last=Boisvert |first=Lauren |date=March 29, 2024 |title="Jolene" vs. "Jolene": How Beyoncé Breathed New Life Into the Dolly Parton Classic |url=https://americansongwriter.com/jolene-vs-jolene-how-beyonce-breathed-new-life-into-the-dolly-parton-classic/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=American Songwriter}}
Lyrically the cover changes the significance attributed to the role of Jolene and the interlocutor who speaks to her.{{Cite web |last=Placido |first=Dani Di |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Beyoncé Changed The Meaning Of Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' On 'Cowboy Carter' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2024/03/29/beyonce-misses-the-point-of-dolly-partons-jolene/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=Forbes}}{{Cite web |last=Horowitz |first=Steven J. |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Beyonce Rewrites Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' Lyrics to Deliver Fiery Cover on 'Cowboy Carter' |url=https://variety.com/2024/music/news/beyonce-jolene-cover-updates-dolly-parton-lyrics-1235955106/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=Variety}} Critics pointed out that while in Parton's version the singer is begging Jolene not to take her man, Beyoncé is warning Jolene not to attempt the same in hers.{{Cite web |last=O'Connor |first=Roisin |date=March 29, 2024 |title=How Beyoncé gave Dolly Parton's classic song 'Jolene' her own signature twist |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/beyonce-jolene-lyrics-jay-z-dolly-parton-b2520515.html |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=The Independent}}{{Cite web |last=Cunningham |first=Kyndall |date=March 30, 2024 |title=Beyoncé's "Jolene" and country music's scorned woman trope |url=https://www.vox.com/culture/2024/3/30/24115915/beyonce-jolene-country-music-scorned-woman-trope-dolly-parton-cowboy-carter |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=Vox}} Other critics referred to the re-written lyrics as addressing Jay-Z's infidelity. In the track preceding "Jolene" on the album, titled "Dolly P", Parton introduces the cover, saying "You know that hussy with the good hair you sing about? Reminded me of someone I knew back when. Except she has flaming locks of auburn hair. Bless her heart. Just a hair of a different color, but it hurts just the same." referring to a girl called "Becky with the good hair" on Beyoncé's Lemonade song "Sorry".{{Cite magazine |last=Brathwaite |first=Lester Fabian |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Dolly Parton compares Beyoncé's Becky to Jolene on 'Cowboy Carter' |url=https://ew.com/beyonce-jolene-cover-dolly-parton-becky-with-the-good-hair-cowboy-carter-8621398 |access-date=April 5, 2024 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{Cite web |last=Rajagopalan |first=Rishikesh |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Dolly Parton wished for Beyoncé to cover "Jolene" years before "Cowboy Carter" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/beyonce-dolly-parton-jolene-cover-cowboy-carter-daily-show/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=CBS News}}{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=March 29, 2024 |title=Dolly Loves Beyoncé: The Country Legend Is Wowed By The Fiercely Revised 'Jolene' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/03/dolly-parton-beyonce-jolene-2-1235871989/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}
= Commercial performance =
In the United States the cover debuted at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming the version of "Jolene" with the highest placement on the chart.{{Cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Hugh |date=April 8, 2024 |title=Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' Hits The Hot 100's Top 10—50 Years After It Was Released |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/04/08/dolly-partons-jolene-finally-hits-the-hot-100s-top-10-50-years-after-it-was-released/ |access-date=April 9, 2024 |website=Forbes}}{{Cite web |last=Callahan |first=Erinn |date=April 9, 2024 |title=Beyoncé Has Officially Outperformed Dolly Parton With "Jolene" |url=https://americansongwriter.com/beyonce-has-officially-outperformed-dolly-parton-with-jolene/ |access-date=April 9, 2024 |website=American Songwriter}} It scored Beyoncé's 24th top-ten on the Hot 100 and Cowboy Carter{{'}}s third top-ten, charting simultaneously with "Texas Hold 'Em" and "II Most Wanted".{{Cite magazine |last=Trust |first=Gary |date=April 8, 2024 |title=Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar Hold Atop Hot 100, Beyoncé Boasts Three in Top 10 |url=https://www.billboard.com/lists/future-metro-boomin-kendrick-lamar-like-that-hot-100-number-one-second-week/ |access-date=April 9, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite web |last=McIntyre |first=Hugh |date=April 8, 2024 |title=Beyoncé Scores A Trio Of Top 10 Hits On The Hot 100 And Almost Returns To No. 1 |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/hughmcintyre/2024/04/08/beyonce-scores-a-trio-of-top-10-hits-on-the-hot-100-and-almost-returns-to-no-1/ |access-date=April 9, 2024 |website=Forbes}} The three songs also occupied the top three positions on the Hot Country Songs, with "Jolene" at third, making Beyoncé the first female artist to achieve it.{{Cite magazine |last=Asker |first=Jim |date=April 8, 2024 |title=With 'Cowboy Carter,' Beyoncé Becomes First Black Woman to Lead Top Country Albums Chart |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/beyonce-first-black-woman-top-country-albums-chart-cowboy-carter-1235651637/ |access-date=April 9, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}}
In Australia the cover peaked at number 24 on the ARIA Singles Chart after its first week of sale, becoming the highest position reached by the song on the chart.{{Cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=April 5, 2024 |title=Beyoncé Rides to No. 1 In Australia With 'Cowboy Carter' |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/beyonce-no-1-debut-australia-aria-cowboy-carter-1235649641/ |access-date=April 5, 2024 |magazine=Billboard}} "Jolene" debuted at number 8 on the UK Singles Chart on 5 April 2024, one of three songs from Cowboy Carter in the top ten that week.{{cite web |last1=Griffiths |first1=George |title=Beyoncé becomes first black artist ever to take country album to Number 1 in the UK |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/chart-news/beyonce-official-chart-double-cowboy-carter-texas-hold-em-number-1/ |website=Official Charts Company |access-date=5 April 2024}}
=Charts=
==Weekly charts==
==Year-end charts==
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2024 year-end chart performance for "Jolene" by Beyoncé ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2024/hot-country-songs|title=Hot Country Songs – Year-End 2024|magazine=Billboard|access-date=December 15, 2024}}
| 94 |
|---|
=Certifications=
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Brazil|type=single|award=Gold|relyear=2024|artist=Beyoncé|title=Jolene|certyear=2024|access-date=October 25, 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|artist=Beyoncé|title=Jolene|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2024|certyear=2025|access-date=March 14, 2025}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|noshipments=true|streaming=true|nosales=true}}
Other cover versions
- English rock band The Sisters Of Mercy started performing the song live in 1983. They also recorded a studio version of the song for BBC Radio in 1983. That version was eventually released in 2021 on the album BBC Sessions 1982-1984.
- Scottish new wave duo Strawberry Switchblade released their version in 1985 which peaked at No. 53 on the UK Singles Chart.{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/22077/strawberry-switchblade/|title=STRAWBERRY SWITCHBLADE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=September 12, 2021|archive-date=September 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210901105614/https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/22077/strawberry-switchblade/|url-status=live}}
- The first cover in Spanish was released in 1986 by Dominican merengue band Las Chicas del Can, titled "Youlin" and sung by Miriam Cruz.{{Cite web|url=https://www.15minutos.com/entretenimiento/la-cancion-que-unio-a-the-white-stripes-y-las-chicas-del-can/|title=La canción que unió a The White Stripes y Las Chicas del Can|website=15 Minutos|date=November 18, 2019|access-date=December 8, 2021|archive-date=December 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209023135/https://www.15minutos.com/entretenimiento/la-cancion-que-unio-a-the-white-stripes-y-las-chicas-del-can/|url-status=live}}
- Hebrew version sang and written by Susie Miller, released in 1992 as promo single.
- Swedish band Spirella Girls released a parody version in 1994 named "Brolin, Brolin". The title refers to the soccer player Tomas Brolin and is about a soccer widow who asks Brolin to release his grip on her husband.{{Cite web |date=2017-08-09 |title=Brolin, Brolin blev en dunderhit: "Både Aftonbladet och Expressen hakade på" |url=https://www.folkbladet.nu/2017-08-09/brolin-brolin-blev-en-dunderhit-bade-aftonbladet-och-expressen-hakade-pa |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=www.folkbladet.nu |language=sv-SE}}
- Alternative rock band Queenadreena released a cover of "Jolene" as a double A-side with "Pretty Polly" in 2000, peaking at no. 100 on the UK Singles Chart.{{Cite web |date=2000-11-04 |title=Jolene/Pretty Polly |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/songs/queen-adreena-jolenepretty-polly/ |access-date=2023-07-29 |website=Official Charts}}{{Cite web |url=http://www.adequacy.net/2010/06/interview-with-ruby-throat/|title=Interview with Ruby Throat|date=2010-06-09|author=Dan, Jen |website=Delusions of Adequacy|archive-date=2015-10-04 |url-status=usurped|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151004052235/http://www.adequacy.net/2010/06/interview-with-ruby-throat/ |access-date=2023-07-29}}
- Rhonda Vincent included a version on her 2000 album Back Home Again.{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/release/3668159-Rhonda-Vincent-Back-Home-Again|title=Rhonda Vincent – Back Home Again|access-date=March 5, 2025}}
- Sherrié Austin's version of "Jolene" is the second track on her 2001 album Followin' a Feelin'. It was released as a single, and peaked at #55 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in April 2001.{{cite magazine | url = http://www.billboard.com/artist/279099/sherri-austin/chart?f=357 | title = Sherrié Austin – Chart History | magazine = Billboard | access-date = December 20, 2016 | archive-date = December 4, 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181204033214/https://www.billboard.com/artist/279099/sherri-austin/chart?f=357 | url-status = live }}
- Kelly Chen covered "Jolene" for her 2001 studio album In The Party, with Cantonese lyrics by Yan Kin Keung.
- Mindy Smith covered "Jolene" in 2003, both for her debut album One Moment More and the Dolly Parton tribute album Just Because I'm a Woman. Parton described this cover as her favorite version of the song.
- Between the years of 2010–2019, Miley Cyrus has covered the song numerous times, including a duet with Dolly Parton herself in 2010. In 2017, Miley Cyrus and Jimmy Fallon (tambourine, backup vocals) performed a cover in disguise in the NYC Subway's Rockefeller Center station.{{cite web|title=Miley Cyrus disguised herself and performed in a NYC subway station with Jimmy Fallon|date=Jun 17, 2017|access-date=Nov 17, 2022|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/miley-cyrus-jimmy-fallon-sing-in-subway-2017-6|publisher=Business Insider}} In 2022, she included a cover of the song on her live album Attention: Miley Live.
- In 2010 South African duo the Alter Irving band recorded a "country-Rock" version with accompanying video. It was featured on their album "Chained to the Wind". The duo were Cindy Alter, formerly of South African all-girl group Clout, and Stewart Irving from Ballyhoo.
- In 2012, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals performed a notably slowed-down version of the song.
- In 2019, Nicole Zuraitis and the Dan Pugach Nonet performed a jazz version, which was nominated for a Best Arrangement, Instruments and Vocals Grammy award that year.{{cite web | last=Montebello | first=Joseph | title=Singer/songwriter Nicole Zuraitis gets nod from the Grammys | website=CT Insider | date=February 11, 2022 | url=https://www.ctinsider.com/entertainment/article/Singer-songwriter-Nicole-Zuraitis-gets-nod-from-16906787.php | access-date=October 3, 2022}}
- In 2020, Chiquis and Becky G released a cumbia style Spanish-language cover of the song.{{cite magazine | url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/chiquis-becky-g-jolene-1020490/ | title=Chiquis, Becky G Cover Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' | magazine=Rolling Stone | date=June 29, 2020 }}
- In 2021, Lil Nas X covered the song in the BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge, alongside cuts from his debut album Montero.{{Cite web|last=Shutler|first=Ali|date=September 21, 2021|title=Watch Lil Nas X cover Dolly Parton's classic single 'Jolene'|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-lil-nas-x-cover-dolly-partons-classic-single-jolene-3051377|url-status=live|access-date=September 21, 2021|website=NME|language=en-GB|archive-date=September 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210921174403/https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-lil-nas-x-cover-dolly-partons-classic-single-jolene-3051377}}
- In 2024, Måneskin recorded a duet with Parton for the deluxe version of her forty-ninth album Rockstar.{{Cite magazine |date=2023-11-20 |title=Dolly Parton Can't Stop Rocking, Drops Deluxe 'Rockstar' Edition With Maneskin-Fueled 'Jolene' Cover |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rock/dolly-parton-maneskin-jolene-cover-deluxe-rockstar-album-1235498823/ |access-date=2024-04-02 |magazine=Billboard}}
Answer songs
Kirsty MacColl's 1995 song "Caroline" was inspired by "Jolene" and is told from the other woman's point of view.{{cite news |last=Lawn |first=Jim |date=21 April 1995 |title=Garage date for Kirsty |newspaper=The Lennox Herald |page=34}}
In 2013, country singer Jennifer Nettles recorded "That Girl", which she stated in interviews is a lyrical counterpoint to "Jolene".{{cite web|last=Hudak|first=Joseph|title="That Girl" by Jennifer Nettles|url=http://www.countryweekly.com/reviews/girl-jennifer-nettles|work=Country Weekly|publisher=American Media, Inc.|access-date=November 4, 2013|archive-date=October 14, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014125307/http://www.countryweekly.com/reviews/girl-jennifer-nettles|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Scott|first=Jason|title=Jennifer Nettles, "That Girl" – Single Review|date=August 6, 2013 |url=http://www.nashvillegab.com/2013/08/jennifer-nettles-that-girl-single-review.html|publisher=Nashville Gab|access-date=November 4, 2013|archive-date=June 14, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150614003643/http://nashvillegab.com/2013/08/jennifer-nettles-that-girl-single-review.html|url-status=live}} The song is written from the perspective of the Jolene character, who Nettles feels is unfairly maligned in the original song. In this version, the other woman is shown to have no interest in taking another woman's man, and her song is in fact framed as a warning to Parton's character that "her man" has a roving eye.
In 2017, American singer-songwriter Cam released her single "Diane" in response to Parton's song. The song is sung from Jolene's point of view, where she sings to 'Diane', Parton's character, and states that she did not know that 'her man' was her man. Cam noted to Rolling Stone Country that the song is her "response to Dolly Parton's 'Jolene.' It's the apology so many spouses deserve, but never get. The other woman is coming forward to break the news to the wife about an affair, respecting her enough to have that hard conversation, once she realized he was married. Because everyone should be able to decide their own path in life, based on the truth. Women especially should do this for each other, since our self-worth can still be so wrapped up in our partners. And in true country fashion, I've set the whole raw story to upbeat music, so you can dance while you process it all."{{cite news|last1=Betts|first1=Stephen L|title=Hear Cam's "Jolene"-Inspired New Song "Diane"|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/hear-cams-jolene-inspired-new-song-diane-w510372|access-date=October 27, 2017|work=Rolling Stone Country|date=October 27, 2017|archive-date=October 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027194959/http://www.rollingstone.com/country/news/hear-cams-jolene-inspired-new-song-diane-w510372|url-status=live}}
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, linguist Gretchen McCulloch wrote a parody of the song entitled "Vaccine", inspired by Parton's $1 million donation funding research on a coronavirus vaccine. The parody was sung by English professor Ryan Cordell, and the video went viral.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/11/18/metro/vaccine-vaccine-vaccine-vacciiiine-northeastern-professor-performs-rendition-dolly-partons-hit/|title='Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vacciiiiiiiiiiiiiine': Northeastern professor performs rendition of Dolly Parton's hit - The Boston Globe|website=BostonGlobe.com|access-date=November 19, 2020|archive-date=November 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119064506/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/11/18/metro/vaccine-vaccine-vaccine-vacciiiine-northeastern-professor-performs-rendition-dolly-partons-hit/|url-status=live}} Dolly Parton broke into parody herself, singing "Vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, vaccine, I'm begging of you please don't hesitate" as she got a 'dose of her own medicine' in a March 2021 vaccination.[https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/03/03/973240792/from-jolene-to-vaccine-dolly-parton-gets-covid-19-shot-she-helped-fund From 'Jolene' To Vaccine: Dolly Parton Gets COVID-19 Shot She Helped Fund] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303220254/https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2021/03/03/973240792/from-jolene-to-vaccine-dolly-parton-gets-covid-19-shot-she-helped-fund |date=March 3, 2021 }}, Rachel Treisman, National Public Radio, March 3, 2021
Chapel Hart released an answer song in 2021 titled "You Can Have Him Jolene".{{Cite web|url=http://www.cmt.com/news/1831565/premiere-chapel-hart-you-can-have-him-jolene/|title=PREMIERE: Chapel Hart Offers Defiant Spin On Dolly Parton Classic With "You Can Have Him Jolene"|first=Jessica|last=Nicholson |date=March 17, 2021|website=CMT News|access-date=March 21, 2021|archive-date=March 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210321115707/http://www.cmt.com/news/1831565/premiere-chapel-hart-you-can-have-him-jolene/|url-status=dead}} Okay Kaya released "Jolene From Her Own Perspective" in September 2022 as a single off her album SAP. She described it as "'Jolene' as a queer anthem" and jokingly as a "love note from a depraved bisexual".{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereogum.com/2198546/okay-kaya-jolene-from-her-own-perspective/music/|title=Okay Kaya – "Jolene From Her Own Perspective"|date=2022-09-07|access-date=2024-04-25|website=Stereogum|last=Rettig|first=James}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.dollyon-line.com/archives/lyrics/jolene.shtml Jolene lyrics at Dolly Parton On-Line]
- [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95520570 NPR: Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' Still Haunts Singers]
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