“Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene! I’m begging of you, please don’t take my man.”
I certainly hope you recognize those lyrics because they’re from one of the biggest songs in American country music history. Yep, that’s Jolene by music country superstar Dolly Parton.
Jolene was released back in October 1973 as the first single from the album of the same name. The song tells the story of a woman who confronts a beautiful woman named Jolene, pleading with her to not steal her man away. Apparently, the classic song was inspired by a red-headed bank clerk who took it upon herself to make a pass at Dolly’s husband Carl Dean. Yikes! And in case you were wondering, no, Jolene was not the name of the flirtatious bank clerk. For the name and appearance of the girl in the song, Dolly drew inspiration from a young fan that she had met on stage to give an autograph.
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” is widely considered one of the greatest songs of all time. It’s catchy and pulls at your heartstrings. Everyone has experienced a little bit or a lot of what it’s like to feel threatened by someone else stealing your partner. And it’s Dolly Parton! She’s a total legend in her own right.
Jolene has been covered by a very long list of artists, including the Peter James Band, Strawberry Switchblade, Darcy Clay, Mindy Smith, Ellie Goulding, Miley Cyrus, Tori Amos, and Pentatonix. Looking at those names, it’s clear that the song is just as amazing today as it was back in 1973. Heck, there’s even a tech-house version of the song!
But most recently, the cover by a father-daughter duo has been taking the internet by storm.
Meet 25-year-old Alexandra Kay. She’s a country singer and songwriter from Illinois who’s been working passionately to make a name for herself. Alexandra recorded a breathtaking cover of Jolene with her dad, who plays the guitar. These two are sensational. There’s no smoke and mirrors, just pure, raw talent that stands out. And Alexandra’s voice? It’s like Dolly was singing through her. She truly does this song justice, bringing it back to life decades later with love and respect.
Watch the video below and have a listen for yourself. I promise you, this rendition is phenomenal. Let us know what you think and don’t forget to share this story with your family and friends!
