According to 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. In an interview, she also revealed that Jolene's name and appearance are based on that of a young fan who came on stage for her autograph.
Jolene
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm beggin' of you, please don't take my man
(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
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
(Jolene)
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene (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 (Jolene)
And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene (don't take him)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you, please don't take my man
Oh, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Oh, please don't take him just because you can (don't take him)
You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He's the only one for me, Jolene (he's the only one)
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
Whatever you decide to do, Jolene
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you, please don't take my man
(Don't take him, don't take him, don't take him)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can (just because you can)
Jolene, Jolene (please don't take him, please don't take him, Jolene)
Jolene
Jolene
He's the only one for me
Jolene
Jolene, Jolene
Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
Dolly Partonâs song âJoleneâ 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 songâs 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 husbandâs attention.
The singer acknowledges Joleneâs beauty and describes it in such detail that itâs clear she believes she cannot compete with her. The singerâs 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 thereâs 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 âJoleneâ 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 Partonâs immediate reaction was jealousy. She even described Jolene as a beautiful âgoddessâ in the encounter. Then, Partonâs husband, who was waiting in the car, assured her that there was nothing to be jealous of. Parton realized how silly sheâd 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
@sadowheart7620
Sounds like Jolene is really good at Stringing men along
@fresh_tomatoes
Underatted AF
@sadowheart7620
@@fresh_tomatoes ah thank you thank you
@Isa-sv4jz
Gureto daze
@Daydy377
The real green baby
@piyushdwivedi7195
đ
@sezthet1
What I love about this song is that sheâs not like âfuck off you ugly bitchâ sheâs recognising her beauty but also expressing her insecurity about how fragile love is. Itâs a very tender song but a powerful exclamation of her emotions.
@zari564
why is this comment so underrated?
@Starlight-rb3sp
@@zari564 no idea honestly
@physicsariel9237
Damn.....thatâs deep!!