Jolene (song)

"Jolene" is a song written and performed by American country music artist Dolly Parton. It was released in October 1973 as the first single and title track from her album of the same name, produced by Bob Ferguson.

The song was ranked No. 217 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2004.[1] According to Parton, "Jolene" is the song most-recorded by other artists of all the songs she has written.[2]

Background[edit]

"Jolene" tells the tale of a woman confronting Jolene, a stunningly beautiful woman, who she believes is trying to steal away her lover and begging her "please don't take my man." Throughout the song, the woman implores Jolene "please don't take him just because you can". 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.[2][3]

The song became Parton's second solo number-one single on the country charts after being released as a single in late 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. The song has sold 653,000 digital copies in the US since it became available for digital download.[4]

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.[5] The song also re-entered the chart when Parton performed at the Glastonbury festival in 2014. The song has sold 214,279 digital copies in the UK as of July 2014.[6]

Charts and certifications[edit]

Peak positions[edit]

Chart (1973–74)

Peak position

RPM]])[7] 84 Canada Adult Contemporary Songs (RPM)[8] 40 Canada Country Singles (RPM)[9] 1 Denmark (Tracklisten)[10] 19 Ireland (IRMA)[11] 8 Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[12] 16 UK Singles (Official Charts Company)[13] 7 US Billboard Hot 100[14] 60 US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[15] 44 US Country Songs (Billboard)[16] 1

Certifications[edit]

Region

Certification

Sales/shipments

Denmark (IFPI Denmark)[17] Gold 5,000^

^shipments figures based on certification alone

Covers[edit]

The White Stripes[edit]

"Jolene (Live Under Blackpool Lights)"

Single by The White Stripes

from the album Under Blackpool Lights

Released November 20, 2004

Format

CD · 7"

Genre

Garage rock · alternative rock

Length 2:37

Label XL

Producer(s) Jack White

The White Stripes singles chronology

"There's No Home for You Here" (2004) "Jolene (Live Under Blackpool Lights)" (2004) "Blue Orchid" (2005)

"Jolene (Live Under Blackpool Lights)" was released as a live single by American garage rock band The White Stripes. The single reached No. 16 in the UK Singles Chart in November 2004. The White Stripes previously released a studio version of "Jolene", as the B-side to their 2000 single of "Hello Operator", from the album De Stijl. In Australia, the song was ranked No. 10 on Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2004. Another live performance of the song is featured on the 2010 live album Under Great White Northern Lights. The White Stripes' version was voted one of the greatest live covers by readers of Rolling Stone magazine.[18] Track listing 1."Jolene (Live Under Blackpool Lights)" 2."Black Math (Live Under Blackpool Lights)" (only on CD version) 3."Do (Live Under Blackpool Lights)" (only on vinyl flip side)

Other versions[edit]

Peter James Band : Jolene the 8th track on the Livin' For The Summer album released August 2015. This is the male version done in a country ballad style. Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John's version of "Jolene" is featured on her 1976 album Come on Over. Newton-John's version was released as a single in Japan.Leila ForouharLeila Forouhar, the Persian pop star, has covered this song in her album called Do Parande (The Two Birds, Persian: دو پرنده‎‎) in 1976. She is one of the first popular singers that has sung "Jolene".Strawberry SwitchbladeScottish female pop group Strawberry Switchblade released an electro-pop version as a single in the UK and Japan in 1985, and it was later included on an expanded edition of their 1985 s/t album.[19]Darcy ClayDarcy Clay included a cover version of the song on his 1997 EP Jesus I Was Evil.QueenadreenaBritish alternative rock group Queenadreena has covered the song in 2000.Sherrié AustinSherrié Austin's version of "Jolene" is the second track on her 2001 album Followin' A Feeling.Mindy SmithMindy 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.[2] The version with Mindy Smith was performed on stage with Dolly Parton, who is also featured in the official music video.Susanna and the Magical OrchestraNorwegian duo Susanna and the Magical Orchestra covered the "Jolene" in 2004 for their debut album List of Lights and Buoys.Me First and the Gimme GimmesThe punk cover band Me First and the Gimme Gimmes cover the song on their sixth album Love Their Country, released in October 2006.[20]Sophie Ellis-BextorBritish singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor covered the song in 2008, and it was used on the new BBC series Beautiful People.Ellie GouldingEllie Goulding covered this song in 2009.

"Jolene (The Backyard Sessions)"

Single by Miley Cyrus

Music video

"Jolene" on YouTube Miley CyrusIn 2012, Miley Cyrus (Parton's goddaughter) performed a version in a "Backyard Sessions" video found on Cyrus' official website which gained some attention.[21]Katy BKaty B sang the song live on Zane Lowe mixed with her song "Aaliyah" in 2014.The Sisters of MercyThe Sisters of Mercy often covered this song in concert as part of a series of tasteful but goth-"uncool" covers to provoke the audience. It can be heard on their live bootleg Amphetamine-Boeblingen.Laura MarlingLaura Marling has covered this song with Mumford & Sons.Anneke van GiersbergenDutch singer Anneke van Giersbergen, former member of the Dutch band The Gathering, has covered this song, a few times, live on stage.Other versionsIn addition to the above, "Jolene" has been performed by numerous performers, including the Finnish singer Vicky Rosti in 1976, Dutch singer Patricia Paay in 1977, Natalie Merchant, 1980's new wave group Rubber Rodeo (1981), Keith Urban, The Weepies, Jill Johnson on the 2007 album Music Row,[22] Reba McEntire, Katie B, Sherrié Austin, Rhonda Vincent, the Geraldine Fibbers, Lacrimosa, Queen Adreena, Ashley Arrison, Alison Krauss, dance music act One Dove, the Macedonian-German singer Alexander Veljanov, the Japanese bubblegum pop trio Candies, Norwegian singer Elisabeth Andreassen in 2004, and Irish American musician Moira Nelligan.The song was frequently covered in reality singing competition. On American Idol, the song was covered by Brooke White, Alexis Grace, and Jessica Meuse. It was also covered in the third season of Australian Idol by Klancie Keough. Las Chicas Del Can covered this song in the 1980s.

The Chilean cumbia compositor Paskual Ramirez made a 'Spanish-translated' cover with cumbia rhythms, partially based on the translation made by Las Chicas del Can for the LP: Fantasía Vol. 1 (1991) and a techno-cumbia re-arrangement of the cover for the disc Paskual y su Alegría – Internacional (2000). His mate Claudia sang in the first version and his daughter Eva sang in the 2000s rearrangement.

A 1994 version by Swedish show group Spirella Girls was named "Brolin, Brolin" and was about Swedish soccer player Tomas Brolin.[23]

"Jolene" was remixed as a dance track by Money, a dance group offshoot of British group James in the late 1990s. The lyrics were a sample from Parton herself, with new vocals (explaining the man in the song's point of view), by Saul Davies.

In 2006, the song also appeared in Back To Mine, a mix album mix by Liam Howlett.

The song was parodied by Australian satirical comedy show The Chaser's War on Everything. The title was altered to "Pauline" in a reference to former One Nation Party leader Pauline Hanson.

In 2008, Icelandic artist Lay Low covered this song for the Ökutímar soundtrack. She later recorded a live version for her 2012 album Live at Home.

In 2010, Parton's original version was featured and performed by Jessica Lowndes as Adrianna Tate-Duncan in the 90210 episode "What's Past is Prologue".

In 2011 was also played at some concerts of Fiona Apple.

In 2011, John Mayer, Keith Urban, and Norah Jones performed the song at the Grammy Awards as a tribute to Dolly Parton. Vicci Martinez covered the song on The Voice.

Also in 2011, Samuel Larsen performed this song in the finals of Oxygen's reality competition series The Glee Project. Larsen won the competition along with a fellow contender.

It was also performed on the show Glee by Dot Marie Jones who portrays Coach Beiste in the episode "I Kissed a Girl". The episode aired on November 29, 2011.

In 2012, The Little Willies covered the song on their album For the Good Times with Norah Jones on lead vocals.

In 2012, Brandi Carlile covered this song on her Bear Creek tour.

In 2012, Sandra van Nieuwland, a Dutch singer, covered this song for her album And More.

In 2013, Straight No Chaser, an a cappella group from Indiana, covered this song (with featured vocalist Dolly Parton herself) on their 2013 album Under the Influence.[24]

In 2013, YouTube user goodlittlebuddy's slowed-down version of "Jolene" rose to internet fame. The song was played at 33RPM instead of 45RPM, which represents a 25% slow down from the original. This version was featured during season one of the NBC television series The Blacklist.

In July 2014, Tori Amos covered the song on her Unrepentant Geraldines Tour.[25]

In 2014, Natalie Bream covered the song, by changing the lyrics from "Jolene" to "Fleur Bream", who is Bream's pet cat. The cat Fleur has gained notoriety, by starring in hit soap Emmerdale.

In March 2015, the song was parodied in the fourth episode of Community by changing the lyrics from "Jolene" to "Gay dean".

In July 2015, a parody version aired on Austria's alternative radio station FM4, sung by the two radio show hosts Hannes Duscher and Roland Gratzer. The title was changed from "Jolene" to "Nadine", and the changed song lyrics are sung in German from Austria. This version became quite popular in Austria during the summer.[26]

In August 2015, Dutch tech-house producer and DJ Ferreck Dawn made a modern-day cover of "Jolene".

In December 2015, the German band The BossHoss and the Dutch band The Common Linnets made a country music cover of "Jolene".

Preceded by "I Love" by Tom T. Hall Billboard Hot Country Singles number-one single (Dolly Parton version) February 2, 1974 Succeeded by "World of Make Believe" by Bill Anderson Preceded by "Hey Loretta" by Loretta Lynn RPM Country Tracks number-one single (Dolly Parton version) February 16, 1974 Preceded by "Love Is Blind" by Janis Ian Japanese Oricon International Chart number-one single (Olivia Newton-John version) November 8–22, 1976 Succeeded by "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver

Influence[edit]

Ewert and the Two Dragons, an Estonian indie-rock band, released a single titled "Jolene" in 2011. This song serves as an answer to the plea heard in Dolly Parton's song. In this song the man who Parton's heroine is in love with, confirms to 'Jolene' that nothing can be between them. The opening lyrics are:

I had to have this talk with you

I hope you understand

I don't have any plans with you

I'm someone else's man