Dolly Parton

‘Jolene’. - Live on Porter Wagoner Show

1967

Dolly Parton • 1973 • ‘Jolene’ • The Porter Wagnoner Show • Rare Footage of Song Instruction to the World •

‘Jolene’ is the title track from Dolly Parton’s thirteenth studio album ‘Jolene’ in 1973.

It claimed the top spot of Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart – making it her second solo No. 1 hit on the country charts.

When released in the United Kingdom it became Dolly’s first Top 10 Hit song in the country and peaked at No. 7 in the UK Singles Chart.

"One night, I was on stage, and there was this beautiful little girl — she was probably 8 years old at the time," Parton says. "And she had this beautiful red hair, this beautiful skin, these beautiful green eyes, and she was looking up at me, holding, you know, for an autograph. I said, 'Well, you're the prettiest little thing I ever saw. So what is your name?' And she said, 'Jolene.' And I said, 'Jolene. Jolene. Jolene. Jolene.' I said, 'That is pretty. That sounds like a song. I'm going to write a song about that.'"

Parton has in years since revealed that she got the origin for the story of the song came from another conspicuous redhead of her past. Her husband had developed a regular friendly interaction with a bank worker at the establishment he used. When it came to be of notice in the casual passing of the couple she allowed the playful interaction to be the muse of her sorrow inspired song. With deep yet simple lyrics of feeling inadequate yet fascinated at the sight of your partner’s flirtation and distraction.

"She got this terrible crush on my husband," Parton says. "And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. It was kinda like a running joke between us — when I was saying, 'Hell, you're spending a lot of time at the bank. 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."

#dollyparton #jolene #dollypartonjolene #1970s #70s #1970smusic #70smusic #1970scountry #70scountry #porterwagoner #porterwagonershow #dollypartonporterwagoner #classiccountry #classicmusic #vintage #vintagestyle #musichistory #countryhistory #countryandwestern #classiccountryandwestern