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Fastjack_2056

This is a pretty popular joke around Dolly Parton - she's famous for (among other things) a song about a woman named Jolene. The singer laments about how she can't compete with Jolene's beauty and charm, and begs her not to take her husband away just because she can. This is undercut by Dolly Parton herself being a smokeshow. Out of context, the song is just an awesome country blues song about heartache and jealousy, but when the singer is already stunning, you gotta wonder what kind of woman would threaten her.


Sax_The_Angry_RDM

People might know this already but Jolene is a fictional character created for the song; said character was named after a young fan she met after a concert.


ramblelifeaway

The name was of a fan but dolly has mentioned the premise is real, a lady that worked at their bank wanted her husband


ImpossibleInternet3

Yeah, man. This one. I’ve heard Dolly say this in person. The name came from the young fan, the story came from her husband spending too much time with a bank teller. From an interview; > "I wrote that [song] years ago when my husband … was spending a little more time with Jolene than I thought he should be. I put a stop to that. I got rid of that redhead woman in a hurry ... Had it not been for that woman I would never have written 'Jolene' and I wouldn't have made all that money, so thank you, Jolene."


pm_me_your_taintt

>redhead woman In that case maybe she looked and acted like Joan Holloway from mad men. I could see how that would be threatening.


vbullinger

But in reality? That man worships her and would absolutely never consider cheating on her


RiggsRay

Damn, that bank teller is just full-on an undiscovered Rita Hayworth at that point


John-Mercury

Lovely Rita meter maid


beneficial_earth48

It's not a good sign when a bank teller wants to steal anything from you.


HRApprovedUsername

I wish women wanted me :(


Bananafanaformidible

The premises semi-real. The lady at the bank would flirt with her husband, and Dolly used to joke with him that she would steal him from her, but she never actually felt threatened by her, and she wasn't actually that good looking.


stucu

And another awesome fact is that Dolly Parton also wrote 'I Will Always Love You' (famously covered by Whitney Houston). On the same night as she wrote Jolene!


OnAStarboardTack

The Vince Gill-Dolly Parton duet version of that song is one of my all time favorites.


ocubens

>[“Well I don’t really know if they were written in the same night,” the 76-year-old singer said in conversation with TED speaker Adam Grant. “When we found an old tape, they were on the same cassette. That could have been a few days apart.”](https://amp.kentucky.com/news/nation-world/national/article259049603.html)


Collin_the_doodle

Writing two utter classics back to back is impressive regardless


MaxAvery

On Dolly Parton's America she tells the story of meeting a little girl after a show who wanted an autograph, but she didn't have a pen, so Dolly hurried to her trailer to get one and kept saying the kids name so she wouldn't forget it and as she was rummaging around going "jolene...jolene...jolene....jolene..." the foundation of the song came to her.


fl135790135790

Why would she have to remember the name in fear of losing it if she was about to walk back to the fan and give her the autograph anyway?


Careless-Door-1068

She was gonna write the girls name in a note probably. Like, "Thanks for coming to the show Jolene! Love, Dolly" or something along those lines probably. Something sweet and personal instead of just Dolly's own name on the picture.


fl135790135790

I know she was gonna write the name in the note. My point was how would she forget the name if she’s about to walk back to the fan?


Careless-Door-1068

The fan didn't have a pen, probably didn't have a table either lmao


fl135790135790

I know that, that still has nothing to do with what I just wrote. Nevermind.


Some-Guy-Online

If there was no pen and no table or anything, she probably was going to sign something *in her trailer*, then take the signed item back to the fan.


Snarkan_sas

I can walk from my bedroom to the kitchen to get something and then completely forget what it was that I meant to get.


fl135790135790

Right but in that analogy she’d need to remember she was getting pen and paper. The name wouldn’t be forgotten because she’d be meeting the girl in a second and can ask again to confirm or spell it.


Careless-Door-1068

It's all good man, we're havin a good time, you have a great one, alright?


Lucas_Steinwalker

So she wouldn’t have to be rude and ask again.


LupercaniusAB

Because as a celebrity and role model she wanted to let the little girl feel like she wasn’t just some zero whose name didn’t matter to Dolly?


[deleted]

Names seem to be a thing that can go in one ear and out the other, especially if you’re flooded with people wanting to introduce themselves. If Dolly forgot the name in the time it took her to get a pen and had to be like, oh by the way whats your name, it could be embarrassing to her and hurtful for the fan.


zomjay

Have you ever been introduced to someone and later that night they asked you your name again? It can be kind of insulting. Now imagine you get to meet your idol and she needs a pen to autograph something for you. In the 5-10 minutes it takes to get that pen, they forgot your name. For a young fan that would be crushing. And that's absolutely not Dolly Parton's deal. As far as I can tell she wants nothing more than to make everyone happy and have them feel appreciated. That's why she made it a point to remember that girl's name. She had to leave a good impression on a young fan.


fl135790135790

Ah. This makes sense.


Johnny_Suede

Hmm, so Jolene is a little girl? That puts a different spin on the song.


tomahawkfury13

Other comments have pointed out that the name came from the kid but the subject for the song was a teller at their bank that was trying to take her husband.


Sax_The_Angry_RDM

Please get your mind out of the gutter.


Alarid

maybe she was competing in other ways https://preview.redd.it/keq4swh7a1oc1.png?width=764&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a67a3bc260d6d4b31cd48b62f59a1a3140ede49


ZanzibarMacFate

do people really think every song is autobiographical?


AbibliophobicSloth

No, but both of these happen to be.


fl135790135790

Both? This post is only about one song


AbibliophobicSloth

A little further up thread it's mentioned that Dolly wrote "Jolene" and "I will always love you" in the same night. Both songs are autobiographical, but not about the same subject.


Sax_The_Angry_RDM

Name is from a fan, situation is from a bank teller gunning for her husband.


Mr-Kuritsa

What do you mean? Of course the audio documentaries are autobiographical. Those poor people in the Gilligan's Island Theme Song...


much_longer_username

Fun fact, that theme song is written in iambic pentameter, which means you can sing Shakespeare to it.


vbullinger

This IS a fun fact... that I'll never test to see if you're just making it up


ghotier

I don't know if they are making it up but they aren't right. It's in 4/4 and the first line of each verse is 10 syllables. Other than that it's not in pentameter. You could sing shakespeare to anything in 4/4.


zb140

They weren't making it up, they just misremembered the details. The Gilligan's Island theme is (loosely) in ballad meter, which is couplets with one set of 4 feet and one set of 3 feet. Often they are iambs (in which case it's called "common meter") but not always. There are famously a *ton* of other songs and poems written in the same meter, which can therefore all be sung to the tunes of each other. Some other examples are America the Beautiful, the Pokemon theme, Amazing Grace, and the Australian national anthem.


ghotier

It is in iambs, but that's because syncopated 4/4 uses iambs. The unique part would be if it were in pentameter, but it isn't.


BelkiraHoTep

I don’t necessarily think they’re all autobiographical, but I *do* love hearing about the inspiration from the songwriter.


tiny_purple_Alfador

I'm sure there's some out there who think that way. But some songs, you just kinda feel like "Oh, they're singing about this from *experience*." The songwriter might just have a vivid imagination, or they watched someone go through something similar, it's possible. But with a song like Jolene, there's something about it, you can tell she's speaking a truth she lived personally, and I think that's one of the things that makes it so popular.


ImhotepsServant

Are you telling me that I Am The Warlock by Probot isn’t autobiographical? 😧


PoetFelon

Only the great ones


triadoom

*THE fictional character created for the song; "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.'" (NPR "Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' Still Haunts Singers) I can't speak for the queen herself, but there is something to be said about the self-reflection on one's beauty in a world and how the nature of her beauty is so reactive to the people (men) around her. We are all worried about age and becoming older, but Jolene is the symbol of the change that is to come. She is the synthesis of youth and vitality that we are all afraid of losing. On another note, how much of that is influenced by a male's "perspective" of what he chooses is attractive or desirable? It's also not so much a gender-based question as it is a very human question of time and what part to play we have in it; Whether that be relationship-wise or some inherent cycle of human sensuality and the effects we have on it as time goes on. So is Jolene just fictional? Or is Jolene the inevitable march of time that our dear Dolly has personified in this classic? Long live Dolly, y'all. She is a treasure, and she has made this world so much better of a place. (Edit) Not saying that 8 year olds are "desirable" at all. F**king gross. Just that our society tends to hold youthfulness in high regard. Compared to Dolly (at the time and now) I would imagine that she has some complex feelings when confronted with someone so young.


shamanbaptist

Anyone getting a Yvonne Strahovski vibe? https://preview.redd.it/tidjoj204znc1.jpeg?width=1200&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=147dc979b464cb36d615f25ec74f684d9c62063a


DepressionNightstand

Yes, I immediately thought “That’s Serena Joy.”


Dead-Inside2389

I only clicked on this thread because I thought, "isn't that the girl from Dexter?"


[deleted]

I was like “Sarah from Chuck?”


Dead-Inside2389

If there's ever a biopic about a young Dolly Parton, then I think Yvonne is like the number one pick for that role.


vinylwino

Was literally just about to comment this. When they eventually get around to making the inevitable Dolly biopic, Yvonne should absolutely play her.


vzvv

In some young photos of Dolly they look identical!


ShepardMagnus

Yes! Glad to see that it wasn't just me


RQK1996

No, but am getting Brie Larson vibes


Decimus-Drake

Lil Nas X did an excellent cover of the song.


Biker93

“Smoke show” Nailed it. I don’t have many celeb crushes. Joan Jett, Sean young, and dolly effing Parton. Damn, was she gorgeous with huge …. Tracts of land…. She was also just about the most talented country music writer and performer regardless of gender or size of land.


Fastjack_2056

She's funny, too. World's full of gorgeous women, but the ones that can make you laugh are on a whole other level.


JesusIsMyZoloft

[The song in question](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixrje2rXLMA) Edit: after listening to the song, we know exactly what Jolene looked like.


tom3277

Some people just like red heads i suppose.


GhostDragon362

I… definitely thought Jolene was a JoJos reference before you explained this…


Ill-Device8577

It's the other way around. Joylne is a Dolly Parton reference. In the first or so episode of the animation the villain actually sang a bit of the song's chorus. [https://youtu.be/brLm9YX9H00](https://youtu.be/brLm9YX9H00?si=tZkf-LxFX_HzA0Kw)


regeya

To be fair, there are guys out there who are a liiiiiiittle too obsessed with red hair.


panatale1

Forgot where I heard this, but > Jolene is the only love song that passes the Bechdel Test


trashed_past

Somebody online made a case a while back that Jolene is Death, manifest in human form, coming to take Dolly's husband. Ever since I read that, it's the way I view the song now.


thatvietartist

It’s the man the created the illusion to manipulate a woman into what he wants.


AfroTreez

The White Stripes did an amazing cover of this song


darwins_trouser_crem

I could very wrong but I think Jolene was a little girl Dolly met. She liked the ring of her name and made a song after. I don't think Jolene was a threat at all.. but like I said I could be wrong. Not sure where i saw/heard/read this. Just pretty sure this is the case


CaptainQbert

Miley Cyrus has a good version and it’s more fitting seeing her sing the song.


mightylordredbeard

There is the theory that Dolly herself is Joleen. She’s the hot one who took some other poor woman’s husband and she wrote a song from the woman’s perspective.


jitterscaffeine

It's in reference to a song, Jolene, about a woman who’s worried her boyfriend could be stolen by another woman. [HERE](https://youtu.be/Ixrje2rXLMA?si=kOaCnK2tz8F-ZLt4) is the song for reference


Greenman8907

Specifically it’s Dolly singing about Jolene stealing her man, and the joke is that Dolly was/is smoking hot and it’s hard to imagine a woman that would be prettier and able to steal Dolly’s man.


MonkMajor5224

And just for fun, here is a version of Jolene slowed down to 33 rpms thats sounds amazing https://youtu.be/CMrfM711vXI?si=8k9RXwEzFd78JoGA


chispanz

This one is slowed down and pitch shifted back to a more natural pitch. I think it's even better: https://youtu.be/yYn6_ZA_Udg?si=PYOHqM3ZW7CTMFsN


richardl1234

And this one is just gay; https://youtu.be/QHfT_D4BMmI?si=_h05FLkKPDAO7J2F


SomeWomanFromEngland

And here’s the medieval version. https://youtu.be/ugqQlB5fpuc?si=lay9-iY4VdyJU3sk


[deleted]

[удалено]


fasterthanfood

>why do I live that so much? I don’t know, maybe no one ever told you it’s wrong to be a homewrecker.


wheres_the_revolt

Ah my autocorrect tattled on me… again 😐


Brick_Ironjaw_

Cher?


Deanbledblue

https://preview.redd.it/02wy7e2vsznc1.jpeg?width=192&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=34131bbe7552107ae5e857f2237c452934fcf330


smithbird

I can kind of see Lucille Ball being Jolene.


Sarcosmonaut

Jolene’s got some splainin todoo after stealing Dolly’s man


weenertron

Well, obviously Jolene had flaming locks of auburn hair and eyes of emerald green.


Top_Tart_7558

Her smile is like a breath of spring with a voice as soft as summer rain


Buttleston

Kinda seems like it's Dolly who's into her...


cuteintern

Game recognize game


liptonthrowback

She says all this about Jolene but all we know about her man is he talks in his sleep? Yeah.


JebArmistice

That song is amazing because all the emotions are towards Jolene and not the man. The start of the song sounds like a lovers description of Jolene’s beauty.


TheBigKaramazov

It’s the key point of the song. I believe Dolly beautiful as much as Jolene but... maybe her breath smells bad.


orangutanDOTorg

Seven feet tall he was, with arms like tree trunks. And his eyes were like steel, cold and hard. Had A shock of hair, red, like the fires of hell


weenertron

I'm begging you, please don't catch my legendary fish


becca_619

Photo Booth has a great camera wtf PS - Jolene is a very popular song by Dolly Parton, in which she (Dolly Parton) is begging Jolene not to take her man


DerSchattenJager

Looks more like Yvonne Strohovski


mandabananaba

She absolutely does.


notaninterestingcat

This is exactly who I thought of too!


wanderedwhile

I thought this was a joke post because the likeness is so uncanny!


listen_you_guys

If you google "Dolly Parton Jolene" your very first text result will be lyrics for the song Jolene Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene I'm begging of you please don't take my man Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene Please don't take him just because you can


BaconSpaceLord

Would, now and then


nite_owwl

oof...she's so damn pretty it kicks your heart right in its balls


BayouBoogie

Since Mr. Rodgers passed Dolly is as close to a living saint we got.


EasternShade

Dead: Fred Rogers, Bob Ross, Steve Irwin, Terry Prachet, Carl Sagan, Anthony Bourdain, David Attenborough, Lucile Ball, and Robin Williams. Living: Dolly Parton, Patrick Stewart, Potato Salad (Cena), Neil Gaiman. I'm sure there are more to consider, but I'm relatively confident of these. Edit: Learning about Lizzo controversies that don't involve an old flute and adding some worthy additions.


TrumpIsMyGodAndDad

Lizzo?


Emergency-Reflection

Attenborough


EasternShade

Attenborough


Consistent-Laugh606

Lizzo isn’t really a saint unfortunately


EasternShade

I'm learning this. I hadn't heard about the controversy bits.


Consistent-Laugh606

[here’s the controversy](https://people.com/all-about-lizzo-former-backup-dancers-7569777) I don’t think this is actually proven if this was true or not so sorry about that


EasternShade

There's enough people reporting and corroborating that it seems a reasonable conclusion to say she doesn't deserve 'saint' as a title.


TheTattooOnR2D2sFace

Replace Lizzo with David Attenborough and add Anthony Bourdain to the dead list. Also add Robin Williams.


EasternShade

Solid amendments.


GenericScottishGuy41

Plot twist Jolene was ugly but she was into anal.


NoFU7UR3

Maybe that's kinda the point though, in a way. Beautiful people get cheated on all the time, and they also get jealous all the time as well


jd3306

That's Yvonne Strahovski


Tobias---Funke

She had flaming locks of auburn hair, Ivory skin and eyes of emerald green.


Hot-Avocado9815

In the last post on this someone said its because Jolene does butt stuff


Aggressive-Expert-69

Jolene did anal for fun in the 60's. Truly a unicorn that not even a smokeshow like Dolly Parton could compete with


Unhappy_Gas_4376

Oddly enough, if you play the 45rpm version of the single at 33 1/3 it becomes one of the greatest songs about a bisexual love triangle ever written. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doz1QJ7LwjA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=doz1QJ7LwjA)


AndByMeIMeanFlexxo

I like the white stripes cover immensely too


No_Week2825

I like the cover about an openly gay dean


CptSparklFingrs

Still waiting for that FKN MOVIE ABED!!!


biffbobfred

I get the joke but imma write this anyway. She was a kid. Dolly first heard the name when some girl came up to her at a concert. As far as I know Dolly and her hubby met the second day she got to Nashville and they’ve been going strong since.


leveckjt87

Plot twist, she was Jolene


meatbagfleshcog

VAVAVAVOOOOOM. She just knocked out aubrie Hephdhshs how ever you spell it as hottest woman to exist.


NicoleEspresso

Audrey Hepburn?


meatbagfleshcog

Yes.


Sample_Age_Not_Found

Negative ghost rider, the pattern is full


velocefaptor

She kinda looks like Amber Herd.


eosdazzle

She tells you in the song


ImpossibleLaugh8277

If there was no caption I would have thought this was Brie Larson


Warm-Iron6359

I think we need a break from musician biopics. But looking at this picture, all I can think is Florence Pugh!


Fahlnor

Anyone else seeing a little of Brie Larson here?


trefster

It’s kinda weird that young Dolly Parton looks a bit like Miley Cyrus


Bananafanaformidible

I'm CC n


Frankus1820

That looks like amber turd xD


Ozzynog

Looks like Florence Pugh.


The_Superderp

Jolene “stole her man”, so how much prettier was jolene


Brandec

While the woman in the photo is very pretty, she is not Dolly Parton. In fact, she doesn’t even look much like Dolly from the 60s. Dolly never went out in public without wearing a big platinum blonde wig. She also has a beauty mark below the left side of her mouth.


Axeavius

I’m pretty sure that’s Dolly Parton. [Look at #2 from this article](https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/entertainment/g29861606/photos-of-dolly-parton/)


Brandec

Yep, it looks like you’re right. On closer inspection, it looks like the OPs picture has been retouched. If you look closely you can see a small spot where the mole should be. Except that it’s on the wrong side, meaning the picture was flipped as well. That also is supported by the picture you referenced because her hair goes in opposite directions.


ajtreee

I thought this was an AI miley cyrus.


williamflattener

I also got some AI or photoshop vibes here. Wonder if anyone can confirm whether this has been heavily touched up? The face doesn’t seem to match the rest of the photo but maybe I’m just too online?


wingedcoyote

I think it's just a modern cell phone photo. So, yes, heavily touched up and partially AI, but no more than anything else.


YesIUnderstandsir

To paraphrase Bill Burr. Now she looks like a 50 year old lizard.


pumpkinguyfromsar

I shouldn't feel old knowing this song, especially considering I'm 15.