Another Reason Why Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” is Such a Brilliant Song

A truly great song remains great through many different interpretations and re-imaginings.  Dolly Parton’s 1973 song, “Jolene” is one of those songs.

The song tells the story of an unnamed woman confronting a hussy named Jolene who is apparently after the narrator’s man.  (Wikipedia says it’s based on a true story. A red-headed bank teller was flirting with Dolly’s husband with some success.  Apparently there was a confrontation, too.) It’s delivered with minor-key dread, with the vocals pleading, vulnerable, menacing and threatening at the same time.

Here’s the original from 1973.

To be honest, though, I didn’t realize the song’s brilliance until the White Stripes covered it.

And now here’s another take on the song. It’s the 1973 7-inch played at 33 1/3 instead of the proper 45 RPM.  Wow.

(Thanks to Al for the link.)