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Jolene
Dolly Parton Lyrics


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Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can

Your beauty is beyond compare
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

Oh but he talks about you in his sleep
There's nothing I can do to keep
From crying when he calls your name, Jolene
Oh and 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
Oh I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can

You could have your choice of men
But 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 you'll do, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
Jolene, Jolene

Overall Meaning

Dolly Parton’s song “Jolene” is a heartbreaking plea of a woman to another woman, imploring her not to take her husband away. The song is a classic example of country music storytelling, with vivid imagery that helps reinforce the song’s message. The singer, who is unnamed throughout the song, addresses Jolene, a beautiful woman with flaming locks of auburn hair, ivory skin, and emerald green eyes, who has managed to catch her husband’s attention.


The singer acknowledges Jolene’s beauty and describes it in such detail that it’s clear she believes she cannot compete with her. The singer’s husband talks about Jolene in his sleep, leaving the woman feeling powerless and heartbroken. She pleads with Jolene not to take away her man, mentioning that Jolene could have her pick of any man, but there’s no one else for her. The song is an emotional ballad that perfectly encapsulates the pain and desperation of a woman who is afraid of losing her husband to another woman.


One interesting fact about “Jolene” is that the song was inspired by a real-life encounter that Dolly Parton had with a young red-haired fan named Jolene. The woman had come up to Parton after a concert and told her that her husband was a huge fan, but Parton’s immediate reaction was jealousy. She even described Jolene as a beautiful “goddess” in the encounter. Then, Parton’s husband, who was waiting in the car, assured her that there was nothing to be jealous of. Parton realized how silly she’d been and wrote this song about the encounter.


Line by Line Meaning

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
The singer is calling out the name of the person she is pleading with throughout the song.


I'm begging of you please don't take my man
The singer is desperately asking Jolene not to take her romantic partner away from her.


Please don't take him just because you can
The singer is warning Jolene that just because she is able to take the man away does not mean she should.


Your beauty is beyond compare
The artist acknowledges Jolene's physical appearance as being exceptional.


With flaming locks of auburn hair
The artist describes Jolene's hair as being a striking shade of red.


With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
The singer describes Jolene's complexion as being very light and her eyes as green.


Your smile is like a breath of spring
The singer compliments Jolene's smile as being refreshing and uplifting.


Your voice is soft like summer rain
The artist acknowledges Jolene's voice as being delicate and calming.


And I cannot compete with you
The artist recognizes that she is unable to match Jolene's physical attributes, and therefore cannot compare or compete with her.


He talks about you in his sleep
The artist reveals that her romantic partner often mentions Jolene even when he is unconscious and dreaming.


And there's nothing I can do to keep from crying when he calls your name
The singer is overcome with emotion and tears up whenever she hears her partner say Jolene's name.


And I can easily understand how you could easily take my man
The artist acknowledges that Jolene is desirable and could easily attract her romantic partner away from her.


But you don't know what he means to me
The singer attempts to convey the intense emotional attachment she feels towards her partner, one which Jolene cannot understand.


You could have your choice of men
The singer recognizes that Jolene has many options for romantic partners, due to her beauty.


But I could never love again
The singer reveals that if she were to lose her current romantic partner, she feels incapable of loving anyone else in the same way.


He's the only one for me
The artist asserts that her current romantic partner is the only love interest she has any desire for.


I had to have this talk with you
The artist acknowledges the necessity of the conversation she is having with Jolene, despite it being difficult and emotional.


My happiness depends on you
The singer reveals that her ultimate emotional state is dependent on Jolene's decisions and actions.


And whatever you decide to do
The singer acknowledges that Jolene has a choice in the matter and may ultimately make a decision which negatively affects her.


Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
The artist repeats the name of the person she is pleading with, emphasizing the importance of the situation.


Please don't take him even though you can
The artist repeats her request, emphasizing the seriousness of the matter.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@Dawly0000

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you
Jolene
He talks about you in his sleep
And there's nothing I can do to keep
From crying when he calls your name
Jolene
And 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
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
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
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him even though you can
Jolene, Jolene



All comments from YouTube:

@7clouds

What is your preferred genre for music?

@KomalaR.Prasad

Edm

@aerynatsushi

Rap/hip hop

@kamistormcelestekennedy

❤🎸Its Rock music!!

@Marion-pm8yw

Pop, R&B, hip hop

@animes4ever576

I have different music genres for example:

--> Hip Hop with rap into the songs

--> Pop music

--> Korean Pop

--> Anime Openings

63 More Replies...

@nicoleballard1472

I've been in Tennessee my whole life.I'm only 25 but my Grandma used to play this often.💔 The older I get the more I finally understand the pain within these lyrics.

@shajithomas7406

Yes

@emmanueltoluwase6356

I don't understand them

@sindramiano1275

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