On Monday, March 3, the singer shared the news of Dean’s passing. His age was eighty-two. He stayed out of the limelight for a long time, although he did inspire her to write “Jolene,” one of her most famous songs.
One lady’s jealously over her significant other’s interest in another woman is chronicled in the singer’s October 1973 hit song. However, Jolene who was “actual” never attempted to “take” Dean. Rather than that, she engaged in seductive small talk with him while assisting him at the bank.
According to The Independent, she said during the 2014 Glastonbury Festival that “[the] song was loosely based on a little bit of truth.” It was reported at the festival. “I wrote that years ago when my husband… was spending a little more time with Jolene than I thought he should be.”
It was 2008 when Parton revealed to NPR that her husband had a “terrible crush” on her. And he really enjoyed visiting the bank due to her lavish attention on him. When I would remark things like, “Hey, you seem to be spending quite a bit of time at the bank,” it became something of a running joke between us. “I just don’t think we have that kind of cash on hand.” In spite of how terrible it sounds, the song is really rather benign.
She stood at about 6 feet tall and had legs that I lacked. Plus, she “had all that stuff that some little short, sawed-off honky like me don’t have,” Parton said to NPR. The point is, you can’t help but feel frightened by certain women, no matter how stunning they are. Other women will always be a danger to you.
Parton revealed that she chose to use the name of a young admirer, Jolene, when asked whether that bank cashier was indeed called Jolene.
“One night, I was on stage, and there was this beautiful little girl — she was probably 8 years old at the time,” Parton said to NPR.
“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,” said Parton. You are the most beautiful little creature I have ever laid eyes on, I told her. Say, then, what’s your name? “Jolene,” she added. ‘Jolene,’ I murmured. Hello, Jolene. Hello, Jolene. Hi, Jolene. “That is pretty,” I said. A song, I think that is. “That is going to be the subject of a song I compose.”
The bank teller’s flirty behavior with Dean irritated Parton, but at the 2014 Glastonbury Festival, she acknowledged “Jolene” nevertheless.
However, I do want you all to understand that good may emerge from bad. ‘Jolene’ and all that money wouldn’t have happened if that lady hadn’t been in my life. So, thank you, Jolene.
The country music and Parton repertoire were both enriched by the legendary status of “Jolene,” which peaked at number 63 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list for 2024. This song served as both the album’s title track and the first single from her 1973 debut album of the same name.
It was the Grammy Hall of Fame that decided to honor the song. On two occasions, it was up for the Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. It was 1975 when the initial recording was made, and 1976 when a live performance was held.
Throughout its 52-year run, over 30 artists, including The White Stripes, Miley Cyrus, Mindy Smith, Olivia Newton-John, and many more, have covered the song in other languages. For her 2024 album Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé recreated the song and enlisted Parton to sing the interlude, “Dolly P.”
