"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. The song was released on October 15, 1973, as the first single and title track from her album of the same name⁴. According to Dolly 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. Jolene's name and appearance are based on that of a young fan who came on stage for Dolly's autograph. The guitar parts on the recording were performed by Chip Young and Wayne Moss⁴. The song tells the story of the narrator confronting Jolene, a stunningly beautiful woman, who she worries will steal away her lover or husband. Throughout the song, the narrator implores Jolene, saying, "Please don't take him just because you can." The ambiguity of whether Jolene intends to steal the narrator's lover has been addressed in several answer songs⁴. "Jolene" remains one of Dolly Parton's biggest hits. It reached the number one position on the Billboard US Country Songs chart. Music critics consider it 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. Many artists have covered "Jolene," including Olivia Newton-John, The White Stripes, Miley Cyrus, and Pentatonix (whose 2016 version won a Grammy Award).  In 2024, Beyoncé covered the song with significant changes in lyrics and production, reaching the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Official Singles Chart⁴. Dolly Parton's emotive storytelling and the timeless theme of jealousy and vulnerability have made "Jolene" a beloved classic in the world of country music.

Source:
(1) Jolene (song) - Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jolene_%28song%29.
(2) The Meaning Behind The Song: Jolene by Dolly Parton. oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-jolen….
(3) The History of Dolly Parton's "Jolene": Meaning, History, Details - NBC. www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/dolly-parton-jolene-song-h….
(4) Dolly Parton - Jolene [Official Music Video].    • Dolly Parton - Jolene [Official Music...  .
(5) Dolly Parton - Jolene (Audio).    • Dolly Parton - Jolene (Audio)  .
(6) The White Stripes - Jolene (Official Music video).    • The White Stripes - Jolene (Official ...  .
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