Sunday, November 13, 2011

Jolene-Dolly Parton

Jolene (1973)
Dolly Parton

Rating: 4.5

This is only the second time I have ever heard the song, the first time being a month ago. I really don't like country, and though I have had several people tell me that Dolly Parton was a horrible singer, I must go against my dislike of country music and say that I truly do like this song. There's just something about its beautifully desperate lyrics, especially in the opening: "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."

Though Parton's voice does carry a strong Southern accent, the hauntingly sad tone of the lyrics pierces me to the core, so much so that "Jolene" has become one of the few country songs I actually like. Well done, Dolly Parton, and well done to the editors of this book-this song is one of the main 1001.

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