Flaming Locks of Auburn Hair, Ivory Skin, and Eyes of Emerald Green
November 16, 2018 12:20 PM Subscribe
Dolly Parton has recorded a new, stripped-down, strings-only version of her 1973 hit Jolene. Happy Friday.
It's for the upcoming Netflix movie, Dumplin'.
It's for the upcoming Netflix movie, Dumplin'.
Haunting. Thanks for sharing.
posted by all about eevee at 12:25 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by all about eevee at 12:25 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
The slowed-down version of the original is still the definitive version in my mind.
posted by Paragon at 12:29 PM on November 16, 2018 [22 favorites]
posted by Paragon at 12:29 PM on November 16, 2018 [22 favorites]
Her voice is still this good at age 72. I have never been even close to this much of a singer, but if I can keep my high notes that long I'll be a happy happy happy person.
posted by wellred at 12:31 PM on November 16, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by wellred at 12:31 PM on November 16, 2018 [5 favorites]
Ivory skin and auburn hair, you say?
posted by haileris23 at 12:33 PM on November 16, 2018 [38 favorites]
posted by haileris23 at 12:33 PM on November 16, 2018 [38 favorites]
IMHO, The Geraldine Fibbers made it their own.
posted by whuppy at 12:40 PM on November 16, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by whuppy at 12:40 PM on November 16, 2018 [6 favorites]
Jolene but the singer never stops describing Jolene.
Performance thereof.
posted by Caduceus at 12:44 PM on November 16, 2018 [10 favorites]
Performance thereof.
posted by Caduceus at 12:44 PM on November 16, 2018 [10 favorites]
Dolly Parton is a once-in-a-generation talent, beautiful as Helen of Troy with wealth and wit enough to bring this world to its knees.
Any woman that she looks at and says “I cannot compete with you” is a demigod harbinger of the end of all things whom we should only approach with extreme caution if at all.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 12:46 PM on November 16, 2018 [58 favorites]
Any woman that she looks at and says “I cannot compete with you” is a demigod harbinger of the end of all things whom we should only approach with extreme caution if at all.
posted by Parasite Unseen at 12:46 PM on November 16, 2018 [58 favorites]
Goddamn, this is stunning. Dolly's control of her voice here is breathtaking.
posted by uncleozzy at 12:49 PM on November 16, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by uncleozzy at 12:49 PM on November 16, 2018 [5 favorites]
Any woman that she looks at and says “I cannot compete with you” is a demigod harbinger of the end of all things whom we should only approach with extreme caution if at all.
i mean yeah did you even click my links
posted by Caduceus at 12:55 PM on November 16, 2018 [6 favorites]
i mean yeah did you even click my links
posted by Caduceus at 12:55 PM on November 16, 2018 [6 favorites]
“Jolene," Genre, and the Everyday Homoerotics of Country Music: Dolly Parton’s Loving Address of the Other Woman
Help me make the lyrics to Jolene by Dolly Parton more gay
posted by one for the books at 12:59 PM on November 16, 2018 [8 favorites]
Help me make the lyrics to Jolene by Dolly Parton more gay
posted by one for the books at 12:59 PM on November 16, 2018 [8 favorites]
All shall love Jolene and despair
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 1:03 PM on November 16, 2018 [15 favorites]
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 1:03 PM on November 16, 2018 [15 favorites]
more terror of the teeth and eyes of jolene
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 1:20 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by ivan ivanych samovar at 1:20 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
I love Dolly Parton so much! She is who she is unrepentantly, enthusiastically. She has demonstrated over and over again her kindness. This version of a song that I've listened to many times, brought tears to my eyes.
posted by agatha_magatha at 1:22 PM on November 16, 2018 [6 favorites]
posted by agatha_magatha at 1:22 PM on November 16, 2018 [6 favorites]
This rendition is excellent, and Dolly is an amazing, wonderful person. She's so wonderful, in fact, that I can forgive her for the fact that the Imagination Library brought Corduroy's Shapes into my life, a book I briefly had to read five times a day to a demanding toddler.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 1:25 PM on November 16, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 1:25 PM on November 16, 2018 [5 favorites]
The only version I love as much as Dolly’s is Jack White’s, for very different reasons.
posted by Knowyournuts at 1:25 PM on November 16, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Knowyournuts at 1:25 PM on November 16, 2018 [7 favorites]
Some places in Europe, they love this song. I mean, like, Love love. It's amusing.
posted by humboldt32 at 1:37 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by humboldt32 at 1:37 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
Gorgeous.
posted by the thought-fox at 1:37 PM on November 16, 2018
posted by the thought-fox at 1:37 PM on November 16, 2018
The slowed-down version of the original yt is still the definitive version in my mind.
Obviously the next natural step is for DJ Shadow to remix this new version in order to close the gap. Or Massive Attack, or DJ Krush, or all of them. Please and thank you.
posted by rhizome at 1:38 PM on November 16, 2018 [4 favorites]
Obviously the next natural step is for DJ Shadow to remix this new version in order to close the gap. Or Massive Attack, or DJ Krush, or all of them. Please and thank you.
posted by rhizome at 1:38 PM on November 16, 2018 [4 favorites]
oh my God, I almost cried. Her voice has changed, and yet it hasn't.
The first time I heard this song, I was three, and I knew absolutely nothing about man-taking. All I knew was how beautiful it was and how much I had to hear it over and over again.
posted by Countess Elena at 1:45 PM on November 16, 2018 [11 favorites]
The first time I heard this song, I was three, and I knew absolutely nothing about man-taking. All I knew was how beautiful it was and how much I had to hear it over and over again.
posted by Countess Elena at 1:45 PM on November 16, 2018 [11 favorites]
This new version is lovely, but the arrangement is awfully syrupy. I'd love to hear a Dolly Parton album with a Willie Nelson / Crazy: The Demo Sessions treatment, just her and a modest backing acoustic guitar. Maybe that exists? Most of what I know of her music is awfully glammed up.
posted by Nelson at 1:59 PM on November 16, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Nelson at 1:59 PM on November 16, 2018 [4 favorites]
“Jolene” is just one of Parton’s well-known tunes that gets a makeover for Dumplin’. On an update of the singer’s first big hit, the defiant 1967 tune “Dumb Blonde,” she’s joined by Miranda Lambert. Her Grammy-winning 1977 crossover smash “Here You Come Again” is presented in a new version with teenaged sensation Willa Amai, and “Two Doors Down” features Macy Gray with alt-rock singer Dorothy. In addition, Parton wrote several new tracks for the film.
Well, heck. That just made my day. Here's "Here I Am" with Sia.
A-and here's Dolly with Linda Perry after a screening for Dumplin' singing "Girl in the Movies".
Damn.
posted by chavenet at 2:10 PM on November 16, 2018 [6 favorites]
Well, heck. That just made my day. Here's "Here I Am" with Sia.
A-and here's Dolly with Linda Perry after a screening for Dumplin' singing "Girl in the Movies".
Damn.
posted by chavenet at 2:10 PM on November 16, 2018 [6 favorites]
Her version with Pentatonix is fantastic too. So many great versions of this song.
posted by impishoptimist at 3:12 PM on November 16, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by impishoptimist at 3:12 PM on November 16, 2018 [2 favorites]
Humboldt 32, where and why which parts of Europe?
posted by jadepearl at 3:54 PM on November 16, 2018
posted by jadepearl at 3:54 PM on November 16, 2018
My personal favorite is the one she did with her god-daughter, Miley.
posted by signal at 4:22 PM on November 16, 2018 [8 favorites]
posted by signal at 4:22 PM on November 16, 2018 [8 favorites]
Mindy Smith's version is pretty damn good.
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 5:09 PM on November 16, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 5:09 PM on November 16, 2018 [4 favorites]
jadepearl, definitely The Netherlands and Germany, particularly the suspender-snapping areas. Why, I have no idea. But man they love it.
posted by humboldt32 at 5:21 PM on November 16, 2018 [5 favorites]
posted by humboldt32 at 5:21 PM on November 16, 2018 [5 favorites]
the eldritch jolene stuff is cute and very internet, but what I really want to hear is a version where the singer realizes halfway through that actually she's the one who's so into jolene, and it's not about her man at all.
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 6:03 PM on November 16, 2018 [7 favorites]
posted by Reclusive Novelist Thomas Pynchon at 6:03 PM on November 16, 2018 [7 favorites]
Or
The narrator has Jolene tied to a chair.
posted by clavdivs at 6:19 PM on November 16, 2018 [5 favorites]
The narrator has Jolene tied to a chair.
posted by clavdivs at 6:19 PM on November 16, 2018 [5 favorites]
the eldritch jolene stuff is cute and very internet, but what I really want to hear is a version where the singer realizes halfway through that actually she's the one who's so into jolene, and it's not about her man at all.
I don't have any tumblr followers or I'd see what I can do. I'm not really in those circles, I just lurk. But yeah that sounds awesome.
posted by Caduceus at 6:33 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
I don't have any tumblr followers or I'd see what I can do. I'm not really in those circles, I just lurk. But yeah that sounds awesome.
posted by Caduceus at 6:33 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
My personal favorite is the one she did with her god-daughter, Miley
Yeah, all the Miley hate aside, she has the chops Miley Cyrus - The Backyard Sessions - "Jolene"
posted by mikelieman at 7:15 PM on November 16, 2018 [8 favorites]
Yeah, all the Miley hate aside, she has the chops Miley Cyrus - The Backyard Sessions - "Jolene"
posted by mikelieman at 7:15 PM on November 16, 2018 [8 favorites]
(Correct URL for Miley Cyrus Backyard Sessions post above)
posted by ArmandoAkimbo at 7:33 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by ArmandoAkimbo at 7:33 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
Nice!!! Here's Dolly's rendition of Collective Soul's "Shine" (yeah, *that* one) - so good, it scrubs the original from existence.
posted by tantrumthecat at 8:31 PM on November 16, 2018 [4 favorites]
posted by tantrumthecat at 8:31 PM on November 16, 2018 [4 favorites]
Wish Dolly and Miley would quit messing with the lyrics. The original transition from "Please don't take him just because you can" to "even though you can" was perfect.
posted by Tarn at 8:39 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by Tarn at 8:39 PM on November 16, 2018 [1 favorite]
Literally breathtaking; I don't remember holding my breath through an entire song like that in a long time. Those little spots where her voice cracks or she has to stop for breath where she wouldn't have 40 years ago just add an extra layer of pathos to this version.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:52 PM on November 16, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by The Underpants Monster at 8:52 PM on November 16, 2018 [2 favorites]
Here's Gay Dean. This better not awaken anything in any of you.
posted by zaixfeep at 11:09 PM on November 16, 2018
posted by zaixfeep at 11:09 PM on November 16, 2018
Headcanon:
Jolene is a ghost story.
You get to decide whether the singer or the listener is the ghost.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 1:59 AM on November 17, 2018 [10 favorites]
Jolene is a ghost story.
You get to decide whether the singer or the listener is the ghost.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 1:59 AM on November 17, 2018 [10 favorites]
I mean maybe the singer can't compete with a powerful ghost who his haunting Her Man. But maybe it's the dead wife unable to compete with flesh and blood, haunting Jolene.
I first encountered this song in sheet music form, and the chorus sounded so much like a celtic folk dirge that I assumed it was a macabre ghost story just from that. I spent years trying to parse which way it went before discovering everyone thinks of it as just Dolly Parton frustrated about a pretty redhead who's catching her man's eye.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 3:03 AM on November 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
I first encountered this song in sheet music form, and the chorus sounded so much like a celtic folk dirge that I assumed it was a macabre ghost story just from that. I spent years trying to parse which way it went before discovering everyone thinks of it as just Dolly Parton frustrated about a pretty redhead who's catching her man's eye.
posted by rum-soaked space hobo at 3:03 AM on November 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
Inspired by Parton meeting this real person?...
posted by acroyear at 4:37 AM on November 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
posted by acroyear at 4:37 AM on November 17, 2018 [2 favorites]
In the Southern Hemisphere it’s Darcy Clay’s version or go home. IMHO.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 6:40 AM on November 17, 2018
posted by inflatablekiwi at 6:40 AM on November 17, 2018
I'm a grudging fan of the lady, and the new string version is interesting and nice, but I like the original the best. "Jolene" shines best as a guitar-backed song. The chord pattern is such a hook, the rhythm is meant for finger-picking and foot-tapping.
posted by Artful Codger at 9:35 AM on November 17, 2018
posted by Artful Codger at 9:35 AM on November 17, 2018
DTMFA already.
posted by waving at 10:47 AM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by waving at 10:47 AM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
In the Southern Hemisphere it’s Darcy Clay’s version or go home.
Sorry, I gotta go with one of the YT commenters: "This cover is like cats fighting to a funky bass line."
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:46 PM on November 17, 2018
Sorry, I gotta go with one of the YT commenters: "This cover is like cats fighting to a funky bass line."
posted by Johnny Wallflower at 12:46 PM on November 17, 2018
I loathe all things Miley and therefore prefer fiona apple's cover which is objectively better
posted by poffin boffin at 12:57 PM on November 17, 2018
posted by poffin boffin at 12:57 PM on November 17, 2018
IMHO, The Geraldine Fibbers made it their own.
that's only because the fibbers are their own sort of unbelievable talent
posted by lescour at 7:57 PM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
that's only because the fibbers are their own sort of unbelievable talent
posted by lescour at 7:57 PM on November 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
This cover is like cats fighting to a funky bass line
Ah my god, right! It’s perfect. Not quite as good as his cover of English Rose. But still.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 10:09 PM on November 17, 2018
Ah my god, right! It’s perfect. Not quite as good as his cover of English Rose. But still.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 10:09 PM on November 17, 2018
Dolly, Dolly
With eyes of grey
And hair do blonde.
Dolly, Dolly
Why won't you notice me?
My breath gets short
and my heart beats fast
When you are near me
Dolly, Dolly
Why won't you notice me?
posted by Jacen at 3:48 AM on November 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
With eyes of grey
And hair do blonde.
Dolly, Dolly
Why won't you notice me?
My breath gets short
and my heart beats fast
When you are near me
Dolly, Dolly
Why won't you notice me?
posted by Jacen at 3:48 AM on November 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'm rather fond of Justin Mcelroy's version as a non professional musician.
posted by kmz at 5:26 AM on November 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by kmz at 5:26 AM on November 19, 2018 [1 favorite]
Allison Krauss does her cover proud.
Gimme me more queered Jolene versions! Here's Dolly Parton & Melissa Etheridge
posted by nicebookrack at 10:23 PM on November 20, 2018
Gimme me more queered Jolene versions! Here's Dolly Parton & Melissa Etheridge
posted by nicebookrack at 10:23 PM on November 20, 2018
> poffin boffin:
"I loathe all things Miley"
How could anybody dislike somebody who sang 'We run things, things don't run we'?
posted by signal at 5:42 PM on November 21, 2018
"I loathe all things Miley"
How could anybody dislike somebody who sang 'We run things, things don't run we'?
posted by signal at 5:42 PM on November 21, 2018
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