That Jolene Is A Real Trouble-Maker

The song, “Jolene,” recorded by Dolly Parton in October of 1973 was reportedly inspired by a young woman who worked at the same local bank as Parton’s new husband, Carl Dean …and was caught flirting with him. Parton was worried Jolene would steal her husband, so she wrote a song about it, imploring Jolene not to take her man away. The record went on to become Parton’s second number-one solo single on the Country charts, and would later become the track of hers most covered by other artists – including a version by The White Stripes, voted by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest cover songs of all time.

Fast forward to 2021 and Jolene still can’t keep her hands to herself, only this time we hear she may end up getting what she wants without any trouble. The Country music group, Chapel Hart, wrote and recorded a follow up song in response to Parton’s 1973 single – but with a humorous twist. The track is called, “You Can Have Him Jolene,” and in it the protagonist gladly lets Jolene take her man, knowing he’s not worth the trouble of keeping around.

The track gained national attention, becoming a big hit when the group performed it last year on America’s Got Talent. The song later debuted on the Billboard digital sales charts at number eight, with over 3,000 sales, before rising to the number four spot a week later. Parton loved the song, considering it a “fun new take” on her original version.

Coming to auction in just a couple of weeks in our “Music Health Alliance” auction is a hand-written lyrics sheet for the song, “You Can Have Him, Jolene” signed by all three members of Chapel Hart.