On October 15, 1973—four months before the release of her 13th studio album, “Jolene”—country star Dolly Parton releases the record’s titular song with the memorable refrain “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Joleeeeene.” The sensational song with 200 words and a haunting melody became a No. 1 country hit in both the U.S. and Canada.
In Parton’s self-penned lyrics, she described an auburn-haired, fair-skinned beauty named Jolene and pleaded with her not to interfere with Parton’s relationship. The chorus begins with the quadruple Jolene refrain, then “I’m beggin’ of you, please don’t take my man.” Then, after another Jolene refrain comes this: “Please don’t take him just because you can.”
