Jolene
From Stripespedia
Contents |
Releases
- Hello Operator 7" (2000)
- Jolene (Live Under Blackpool Lights) (2004)
- Under Blackpool Lights (2004)
- Under Great White Northern Lights (2010)
- Under Moorhead Lights All Fargo Night (2011)
Other Appearances
Credits
Performances
- Jack White: electric guitar, "rubbing wood", voice
- Meg White: drums, sand, tambourine
Production
- Originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton.
- Arranged by Jack White and Meg White.
- Produced by Jack White.
- Recorded by Jim Diamond.
- Recorded at Ghetto Recorders in Detroit, Michigan.
Band Quotes
- Jack White: "With "Jolene" by Dolly Parton -- we've always loved country music. We wanted to do a country single with Dolly on one side and Loretta Lynn on the other. I first heard Dolly Parton a couple years ago, and couldn't believe what a good thing she had going at one point. Then I found out later that other bands had already covered that song."
- Jack White: "I heard that it was Dolly Parton's first single and I thought that it was, uh -- I don't want to say ballsy -- just a courageous song for her to release as her first single. It's in a minor key; it kind of has this evil overtone. It comes back to me liking Loretta Lynn so much with that finger-pointing-at-men kind of song -- just layin' it down the line for someone like that, "you're really hurting my feelings" -- pretty interesting."
Lyrics
Jolene, I'm begging of you, please don't take my man. Jolene, please don't take him just because you can. Your beauty is beyond compare, with flaming locks of auburn hair, with ivory skin and eyes of emerald green. Your smile is like a breath of spring, your voice is soft like summer rain, and I cannot compete with you, Jolene. He talks about you in his sleep. There's nothing I can do to keep from crying when he calls your name, Jolene. And I can easily understand how you could easily take my man, but you don't know what he means to me, Jolene. Jolene, I'm begging of you, please don't take my man. Jolene, please don't take him even though you can. You could have your choice of men, but I could never love again. He's the only one for me, Jolene. I had to have this talk with you. My happiness depends on you and whatever you decide to do, Jolene. Jolene, I'm begging of you, please don't take my man. Jolene, please don't take him even though you can.
