“Jolene” by Dolly Parton
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s most engrossing record.
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Welcome to a new edition of the Best Music of All Time newsletter!
Today’s music pick marks the 50th anniversary of Dolly Parton’s most engaging and somewhat controversial record.
Genre: Country, Pop
Label: RCA Victor
Release Date: February 4, 1974
Vibe: 👱♀️
Before she denounced corporate America and later impersonated a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, there was Jolene. Released in 1974, it signaled her intent to move away from a strictly country sound and adopt a pop-friendly crossover approach. This transition was aided by production that, half a century on, still ranks among the best-sounding of its era. The blending of guitar, paino, traditional country instruments (like the steel guitar), and airy percussion elements use the stereo setup without obscuring the main attraction at the center of every track: Parton’s distinctive, insistent voice. She’s undoubtedly had bigger hits in the ensuing decades, but I don’t think she’s ever sounded as good as she does on this album.
The songwriting is where Jolene becomes a fascinating time capsule for Parton’s status as a feminist and how that topic was tackled in country music generally. The eponymous hit single centers around the singer trying (and you might say failing) to vanquish a female rival vying for her man’s affection. Listening to it again, it struck me not so much as an antiquated reinforcing of gender roles (though it’s not an unfair criticism) but rather a portrait of deep-rooted female insecurity—tropes that, for better and worse, are still perpetuated in pop culture today. Rinse and repeat for “When Someone Wants to Leave” and “Living on Memories of You,” where excellent vocal performances buoy similar emotional beats.
The most timeless track, “I Will Always Love You,” is also the most intriguing listen. Everyone’s familiar with the Whitney Houston cover, which is rightly considered a powerhouse in its own right, but count me in the camp that prefers Dolly’s original. Its quieter, more intimate approach makes it sound like she’s whispering her deepest secrets into your ear instead of belting them from the top of a mountain.
👉 Don’t forget to click the album image to stream the album on your favorite platform 👈