About the song
Sometimes, great things start from the most ordinary moments. For Dolly Parton, one of the greatest artists in the history of country music, that moment came from a chance encounter with a young fan backstage.
During a performance many years ago, an 8-year-old girl walked up to Dolly and asked for her autograph. With her usual friendly nature, the singer smiled and asked her name. The answer – “Player” –
“Jolene”, released in 1973, quickly became one of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits. The song is a woman’s plea to a girl named J not to take away the man she loves. With its minimalist yet haunting melody, and Dolly’s trembling and sincere voice, this song has left a deep impression on many generations of audiences. But the surprising thing is: the little girl named Jolene back then has absolutely nothing to do with the story told in the song.
This is a beautiful testament to how artistic inspiration can come from small, unexpected things. A name – just a name – through the hands of a talented and dedicated artist, becomes a symbol. “Jolene” is not just a piece of music. It is an image, an emotion, a part of the cultural memory of millions of music lovers around the world.
The story behind the name “Jolene” shows that music is not only woven from sadness or love – but also from everyday moments, and from the feelings between the artist and his audience. And perhaps, the little girl Jolene back then – now probably a middle-aged woman – could not have imagined that her name would become an immortal part of music history.
Video
Lyrics
Jolene (Jolene), Jolene (Jolene), Jolene, Jolene
I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene (Jolene), Jolene (Jolene), Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him just because you can
Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
Ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
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
Jolene (Jolene), Jolene (Jolene), Jolene, Jolene
I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene (Jolene), Jolene (Jolene), Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him just because you can
Now you could have your choice of men
I could never love again
‘Cause 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), Jolene, Jolene
Oh, I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man
Jolene (Jolene), Jolene (Jolene), Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take him even though you can
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
Jolene
