Like it or loath it, Jolene offers a fascinating snapshot of an era in transition, and captures Parton at the top of her game.” AllMusic Review by Ronnie D. We all know and love Dolly Partons incredible hit song 'Jolene.' But youve probably never heard it like this before. Still, the music and Parton's vocal prowess are in top form on Jolene, and "I Will Always Love You" is one of her best performances (which is saying a lot). This seems somewhat peculiar now, in that no one - looking at her long, distinguished career and commanding stage presence - would accuse Parton of being a weak-kneed songbird. ![]() Lyrically, however, these songs are a long way from Loretta Lynn's "You Ain't Woman Enough to Take My Man." Parton's female protagonists are downright pitiful, adrift in a world where a more attractive woman might take their man, where a woman cannot let go of a man who no longer loves her, and where a man is the "highlight" of her life ("Highlight of My Life.") Jolene, originally released in 1974, feels like a shot across the bow of the feminist movement, a reaffirmation that many women still liked the men to wear the pants (women, presumably, who listened to old-fashioned country music). This tasteful mix, nicely spread across the stereo spectrum with Parton front and center, is a joy to listen to. A sparkling production creates a rich backdrop for both "Jolene" and "When Someone Wants to Leave" (both Parton originals), mixing acoustic guitar, country instruments (steel guitar, dobro), and light percussion. “Of the three 2007 Dolly Parton reissues from Sony, Jolene is the most absorbing musically and the most problematic lyrically. ![]() Recorded January 12, 1972–Decemat RCA Studio A, Nashville Written by Blaise Tosti (B5), Dolly Parton (A1 to B3), Porter Wagoner (B4)ġ LP, standard sleeve with limited time digital download Or perhaps Jolene is one hot female-identified tomato, and as far as the singer’s man’s concerned, his pastor and his granny can go to hell! Jolene’s the only one for him.The Nashville Edition - background vocals Perhaps the singer’s man craves the comfort of a more socially acceptable domestic situation. Or maybe the singer and his man live in a place where same sex unions are frowned on. Jolene’s prodigious feminine assets could also prove worrisome to a gay man whose bisexual lover’s eye is prone to wander. Parton told NPR that women are “always threatened by other women, period.” The pain is the same, but the situation in much less straightforward, thanks to blurrier gender lines. In the slow ass version, it’s plaintive and sad. In the original version, the irresistible chorus wherein the soon-to-be-spurned party invokes Jolene’s name again and again is plaintive and fierce. Jolene at 33 rpm with Guitar 25,120 views Playing Jolene vinyl record slowed down to 33 rpm and soloing guitar on top of it. Wouldn’t it be wild if she grew up to be a bank teller? Yes, the kid had red hair and green eyes. Parton was so taken with the child, and her unusual name, that she resolved to write a song about her. ![]() Jolene was a pretty little girl who attended an early Parton concert. 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.įor the record, the teller’s name wasn’t Jolene. ago Which makes this inverted perspective song great. Jolene isnt trying to steal anyone, but the narrator feels she could, because of her own insecurities, and becomes fearful. It was kinda like a running joke between us - when I was saying, ‘Hell, you’re spending a lot of time at the bank. People think Jolene is about a man who wants to cheat but its not. In an interview with NPR, Parton recalled a red-haired bank teller who developed a big crush on her husband when she was a young bride:Īnd he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. The song is somewhat autobiographical, though the situation was nowhere near as dire as listeners might assume. Instead, she appeals to Jolene’s sense of mercy: Apparently she also knows better than to raise the subject with him.
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