Dolly Parton's Jolene

"Jolene" is one of Dolly Parton's most well-known and beloved songs.Released in 1974 as the title song of Dolly's thirteenth studio album, it has become a cultural phenomenon.Often seen as a cheating song, "Jolene" is compelling because of its ambiguity: Who is Jolene?Is she a heartless homewrecker or an unwilling recipient of attention from a guy who will cheat on his partner?What does she decide? Does she want to have an affair? Is "Jolene" sung by a narrator who is fearful and weak? Or is the singer taking matters into her own hands?In Dolly Parton's Jolene, author Lydia R.Hamessley offers readers new perspectives on the song through a close look at Dolly's stories about the song's origins and its place on her album Jolene.Hamessley offers multiple ways of understanding the lyrics and includes a detailed musical analysis.The book explores notable covers of the song, including Olivia Newton-John's recording of "Jolene" and the duet version of "Jolene" that she and Dolly recorded just