Jolene (song)

Jolene is a country music song written and originally performed by Dolly Parton. It was released in October 1973 as the first single and title track from her album of the same name, Jolene (1974).

The song tells the story of the narrator pleading with a beautiful woman named Jolene not to steal away her man. The lyrics describe Jolene as having "flaming locks of auburn hair, ivory skin and eyes of emerald green," painting a picture of an alluring and captivating figure. The narrator acknowledges Jolene's beauty and admits to her own insecurity, fearing that her husband will leave her for Jolene.

"Jolene" became one of Parton's signature songs and a major hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in February 1974. It also crossed over to the pop charts, peaking at number 60 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song has been covered by numerous artists across various genres, including Olivia Newton-John, The White Stripes, Miley Cyrus, and many others, demonstrating its enduring popularity and versatility. It has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and is considered one of Parton's most iconic and recognizable songs.

The inspiration for the song reportedly came from two separate events. Parton has stated that the name "Jolene" was inspired by a young fan who asked for her autograph after a concert. The storyline of the song was influenced by a bank teller who flirted with Parton's husband, Carl Dean.