Dolly Parton Marks 52 Years of Her Iconic Hit “Jolene” with a Nostalgic Tribute
By Website Content Manager
Originally released in 1973, the classic tune was recently given a fresh reinterpretation by Beyoncé.
Dolly Parton is marking a major milestone for one of her most beloved songs — “Jolene.”
The country legend, 79, took to Instagram on Wednesday, Oct. 15, to celebrate the track’s 52nd anniversary by sharing a vintage clip of herself performing the hit. “52 years of ‘Jolene!’ 💖🎶,” she captioned the post. The timeless classic, released in 1973, was inspired by real-life events and a touch of truth.
Parton has shared over the years that “Jolene” was partly based on a redheaded bank teller who once flirted with her husband, Carl Dean, early in their marriage. In the song, she pleads with the stunning woman — described as having “flaming locks of auburn hair” and beauty “beyond compare” — not to take her man, saying she could “never love again” if she lost him.
“The song was loosely based on a little bit of truth,” Parton revealed during her 2014 Glastonbury Festival performance, according to The Independent. “I wrote that years ago when my husband was spending a little more time with Jolene than I thought he should be.”
In a 2008 interview with NPR, she added, “She had this terrible crush on my husband. He just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. It was kind of a running joke between us — I’d say, ‘You’re spending an awful lot of time at the bank. I don’t think we have that much money!’ So it’s really an innocent song, though it sounds like a heartbreaking one.”
The name “Jolene,” however, came from a different muse — a young fan Parton met after a show. “One night, this beautiful little girl, maybe 8 years old, came up for an autograph,” she recalled to NPR. “She had gorgeous red hair, fair skin, and striking green eyes. I asked her name, and she said, ‘Jolene.’ I said, ‘Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene — that’s a beautiful name. I’m going to write a song about that.’”
Since its release, “Jolene” has become one of Parton’s defining hits and a cornerstone of country music history. The song — the lead single and title track from her 1973 album — continues to captivate new audiences with its raw emotion and timeless storytelling. It even earned a spot at No. 63 on Rolling Stone’s 2024 list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.