In the final verse, Parton sings, "I had to have this talk with you / My happiness depends on you," but leaves it open to interpretation what kind of conversation this was - Polite? Threatening? Kind but firm? The continuation of that thought - "And whatever you decide to do, Jolene …" - doesn't illuminate much, as it too can be read as breezy, a stern warning shot or downright passive-aggressive.
While we know how upset the song's protagonist is, we're not quite sure how her story ends. Indeed, perhaps "Jolene" is also so appealing because it's open-ended - a choose-your-own-subtext song. I don't believe we've got that kind of money.' So it's really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one." It was kinda like a running joke between us, when I was saying, 'Hell, you're spending a lot of time at the bank. "And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. "She got this terrible crush on my husband," Parton said. As she shared with NPR in 2008, the song was inspired (at least in part) by her husband Carl Dean's innocent flirtation with a bank teller. Parton's personal investment in the song also makes these lyrics more relatable. Near the end of the song, when Parton calls out "Jolene!" in a higher register, the palpable mix of horror, anguish and fear stands out. Betrayal is one of the most painful feelings to experience, especially when it comes from a loved one (just ask anyone who's been cheated on). "I can easily understand / How you could easily take my man / But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene," Parton sings, a desperate hint to her voice. The unnamed woman feels inadequate next to Jolene's beauty ( "Your beauty is beyond compare") and is despondent over her man's wandering eye. So why has "Jolene" in particular risen to the top and become her most iconic song?Ī major part of it is the narrator, who is an extremely sympathetic figure. Parton has released more than 60 albums and has amassed dozens of indelible singles. Parton herself has also re-done the song multiple times: In 2003, she and Melissa Etheridge teamed up on CMT Crossroads in 2017, Parton and a cappella sensations Pentatonix released a studio version and, in 2018, she recorded a strings-heavy version for the Dumplin' soundtrack. Pop acts such as Miley Cyrus and Ellie Goulding have also covered the tune, as have Patti Smith, the White Stripes and dozens of other rock and electronic acts. Unsurprisingly, multiple country musicians have tackled the song (to name a few, Olivia Newton-John, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Margo Price, and Alison Krauss). The number of "Jolene" covers is also truly staggering.
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