Parton began performing as a child, singing on local radio and television in East Tennessee. At age 12 she was appearing on Knoxville TV, and at 13, she was recording on a small label and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. When she graduated from high school in 1964 she moved to Nashville, taking many traditional elements of folklore and popular music from East Tennessee with her.
Parton's initial success came as a songwriter, with her songs being covered by Kitty Wells, Hank Williams, Jr., Skeeter Davis, and a number of others. She signed with Monument Records in late 1965, where she was initially pitched as a bubblegum pop singer, earning only one national chart single, "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby," which did not crack the Billboard Top 100. Additional pop singles also failed to chart.
The label agreed to have Parton sing country music after her composition "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" as recorded by Bill Phillips (and with Parton, uncredited, on harmony) went to No. 6 on the country charts in 1966. Her first country single, "Dumb Blonde" (one of the few songs during this era that she recorded but didn't write), reached No. 24 country 1967, followed later the same year with "Something Fishy," which went to No. 17. The two songs anchored her first full-length album, Hello I'm Dolly, that same year.
In 1967, Parton was asked to join the weekly syndicated country music TV program hosted by Porter Wagoner, replacing Norma Jean. She also signed with RCA Records, Wagoner's label, during this period, where she would remain for the next two decades. Wagoner and Parton immediately began a hugely successful career as a vocal duet in addition to their solo work and their first single together, a cover of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind," reached the top ten on the U.S. country charts in late 1967, and was the first of over a dozen duet singles to chart for them during the next several years.
Parton is a hugely successful songwriter, having begun by writing country songs with strong elements of folk music in them based upon her upbringing in humble mountain surroundings. Her songs "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene" have become classics in the field, as have a number of others. As a composer, she is also regarded as one of country music's most gifted storytellers, with many of her narrative songs based on persons and events from her childhood.
In 1982 Dolly Parton sang her song "I Will Always Love You", for the movie "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", starring Parton and Burt Reynolds. The song - originally composed around 1974 - made few ripples, but it wasn't until Whitney Houston re-recorded it for "The Bodyguard" a decade later, that the song made yet another international hit for Dolly Parton. She later put out her own version on the 1996 album of the same name.
In 1987, Parton left her longtime label, RCA, and signed with Columbia Records, where her recording career continued to prosper, but by the mid 1990s, Parton, along with many other performers of her generation, found that her new music was not welcome on country radio playlists. She recorded a series of critically acclaimed bluegrass albums, beginning with "The Grass is Blue" (1999) and "Little Sparrow" (2001), both of which won Grammy Awards. Her 2002 album "Halos and Horns" included a bluegrass version of the Led Zeppelin classic Stairway to Heaven. In 2005, Parton released Those Were The Days, her interpretation of hits from the folk-rock era of the late 1960s through early 1970s. The CD featured such classics as John Lennon's "Imagine," Cat Stevens' "Where Do The Children Play," Tommy James' "Crimson & Clover," and the folk classic "Where Have All The Flowers Gone", as well as the title track.
In 2007, Dolly paved new musical ground by forming her own record label, Dolly Records. The label's first release - Backwoods Barbie - debuted at #2 on the Billboard country albums charts and marks Parton's first mainstream country album in 17 years. Parton is touring North America and Europe throughout 2008 in support of her latest release.
1955
Jolene
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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 greenYour 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
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
@alexwhite3961
What Dolly tells us about Jolene:
- her beauty is beyond compare
-flaming locks of auburn hair
-ivory skin
-eyes of emerald green
-smile is like a breath of spring
-voice is soft like summer rain
What Dolly tells us about 'her man':
-talks in his sleep
It is perfectly reasonable to think that Dolly might be the one into Jolene here
@Meryemcim_yeto
Lyrics,
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
Sürünesice
@josier9430
Dolly, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
If I knew he was yours I wouldnt try
Dolly, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
Please don't let me be the reason you cry
You deserve way more than him
And I wont even be his friend
You need a man who will treat you right
You let him play around with me
And you just seem so very sweet
Oh you deserve much more than him
Dolly
I heard of how you're hurting dear
And please just know this is sincere
I want you just to be alright
And I can easily understand
How I've hurt you here with your man
And you can have him back yes that's right
Dolly, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
If I knew he was yours I wouldnt try
Dolly, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
Please don't let me be the reason you cry
You could find another man
And I promise you could love again
But he is yours so please just smile
Dolly
I'm glad you had this talk with me
So we can all just be set free
And you can start to heal again
Dolly
Dolly, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
If I knew he was yours I wouldnt try
Dolly, Dolly, Dolly, Dolly
Please don't let me be the reason you cry
Dolly, Dolly
@Kaos-rift
Meanwhile in another universe:
Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene
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
Irene
He talks about you in his sleep
And there's nothing I can do to keep
From crying when he calls your name
Irene
And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don't know what he means to me
Irene
Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene
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
Irene
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do
Irene
Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene
Please don't take him even though you can
Irene, Irene
@sezthet1
What I love about this song is that she’s not like “fuck off you ugly bitch” she’s recognising her beauty but also expressing her insecurity about how fragile love is. It’s 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.....that’s deep!!
@conmcnard8468
My brother! So true! And heartfelt! Much love always!!!
@Kaanfight
Couldn’t have summed it up better. It’s a very emotional song about insecurities and vulnerability, and how people will stay in bad relationships because they love others. It’s tragic.
@alexwhite3961
What Dolly tells us about Jolene:
- her beauty is beyond compare
-flaming locks of auburn hair
-ivory skin
-eyes of emerald green
-smile is like a breath of spring
-voice is soft like summer rain
What Dolly tells us about 'her man':
-talks in his sleep
It is perfectly reasonable to think that Dolly might be the one into Jolene here
@sonarchy5158
What Dolly tells us about her man :
-He's the only one for her
-Her happiness depends on whether or not Jolene takes him from her
@lulukawaiunicorn5537
Alex White this almost describes myself 😀
@FireurchinProductionsByzantium
@It’s Digiorno Jolyne has emerald hair and Auburn eyes doe