Jolene
Olivia Newton-John Lyrics
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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 ivory skin and eyes of amber green
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I can not compete with you, Jolene
He talks about you in his sleep
There's nothing I can do to keep
From crying when he calls your name, Jolene
Oh, but I can easy understand how you can easy take my man
You don't know what he means to me, Jolene
Jolene (Jolene), Jolene (Jolene), Jolene, Jolene (Jolene)
I'm begging of you
Please don't take my man
Jolene (Jolene), Jolene (Jolene), Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him
Just because you can
Now, you could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He's the only one for me, Jolene (oh, 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), Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene (Jolene), Jolene (Jolene), Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him even though you can (even though you can)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Oh, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
You don't know what he means to me
He talks about you in his sleep
I can not compete with you, Jolene
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
Whatever you decide to do, Jolene (Jolene)
is a heartfelt song by Olivia Newton-John about a woman pleading with the titular Jolene not to take her man away from her. The song is full of emotion and desperation as the singer feels that she cannot compete with Jolene's beauty, particularly her flaming locks of auburn hair and ivory skin with eyes of amber green. She talks about how her man talks about Jolene in his sleep, and she can't help but cry when he calls her name. The singer acknowledges that Jolene could easily take her man, but she implores Jolene to consider what he means to her and not to take him away just because she can.
The song is a powerful look at the vulnerability and insecurity that can come with being in a romantic relationship. The singer is afraid of losing the man she loves to someone who she feels is more beautiful and alluring than she is. She recognizes her own limitations and her inability to compete with Jolene, but she still fights to hold on to what is rightfully hers. Ultimately, the song is about the fear of losing what one loves and the lengths that one will go to in order to hold on to it.
Line by Line Meaning
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Repeatedly calling the name of the person she is addressing, to get her attention.
I'm begging of you
Asking the person she is addressing for a favor.
Please don't take my man
Pleading with the person she is addressing not to take her lover away from her.
Just because you can
Indicating that the person she is addressing has the ability to take her man away but should not do so out of respect for their relationship.
Your beauty is beyond compare
Complimenting the person she is addressing on her physical appearance.
With flaming locks of auburn hair
Describing the person she is addressing's hair color using poetic language.
With ivory skin and eyes of amber green
Continuing to describe the person she is addressing's physical features.
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Comparing the person she is addressing's smile to the feeling of spring.
Your voice is soft like summer rain
Describing the person she is addressing's voice using poetic language.
And I can not compete with you, Jolene
Acknowledging that she feels inferior to the person she is addressing and cannot compete for her lover's affection.
He talks about you in his sleep
Revealing that her lover mentions the person she is addressing even in his dreams.
And there's nothing I can do to keep
Admitting that she cannot control her emotions regarding her lover's affection for the person she is addressing.
From crying when he calls your name, Jolene
Expressing her sadness when her lover mentions the person she is addressing by name.
And I can easy understand how you can easy take my man
Acknowledging that it would be easy for the person she is addressing to steal her lover away.
But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene
Asserting that the person she is addressing does not fully understand the depth of her relationship with her lover.
Now, you could have your choice of men
Suggesting that the person she is addressing has many options for romantic partners.
But I could never love again
Implying that if she were to lose her current lover, she would not be able to love again.
He's the only one for me, Jolene
Stating that her current lover is the only person she wants to be with.
I had to have this talk with you
Explaining that she felt the need to confront the person she is addressing about her feelings.
My happiness depends on you
Emphasizing to the person she is addressing that her own happiness is at stake in this situation.
And whatever you decide to do, Jolene
Leaving the decision in the hands of the person she is addressing.
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Repeating her request that the person she is addressing not take her lover away from her.
Please don't take him even though you can
Asking the person she is addressing to refrain from taking her lover, even if she has the power to do so.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lionheart Roar
Despite her terminal condition, ONJ managed to deliver a brilliant performance. I'm so glad that Dolly captured one of her last recordings on video. Rest in peace to a great singer and wonderful kind woman.
SpiritDoc
It was captured by the team producing Olivia’s duet album, out May 5th. More duets rolling out… ❤
Linda York
It is beautiful ... and so are they ...Olivia has an amazing spirit ❤
FELIPE NUNEZ
But I wonder? Why didn't Dolly do this before if all her fans asked her to? Also why????? This was uploaded to YouTube after Olivia's death, I think she would have been VERY glad!! to see the proofs of love, admiration and affection of all her fans who in just 7 days already have almost a million views
Aiden
@FELIPE NUNEZ This was recorded late November 2021 for Olivia's album. I think Olivia wanted this album to be released post death as her final gift to her fans. Olivia was a humbled human being. She always played her success down, hince the beginning of this video she acted like it was a huge honor to sing with Dolly, not considering Olivia herself, is an international star herself. We lost an amazing person. She's given us this album as her final gift. It wasn't to hear admirations from the fans. Olivia already knew this before she died. This was her Swan Songs. RIP Olivia Newton-John
FELIPE NUNEZ
How can we see from Miami the tribute that they will do to Olivia on Sunday from Victoria in Melbourne?
Nora Caruso
As a metalhead musician you know what I have to say is amazing? It's Dolly's song and she let onj shine and she didn't try to upstage her at all long live dolly she's a beast
Dave Boswell
They have matched voices, hard to tell who singing if didn't look at the video.
wolfiesown
was thinking the same. She's so generous, and a real class act
Truthat
@Dave Boswell Yes, olivia was an amazing Dolly Parton impersonator.