The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm beggin' of you, please don't take my man
(Jolene)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
(Jolene)
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene (Jolene)
He talks about you in his sleep
And there's nothing I can do to keep from crying
When he calls your name, Jolene (Jolene)
And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene (don't take him)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you, please don't take my man
Oh, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Oh, please don't take him just because you can (don't take him)
You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He's the only one for me, Jolene (he's the only one)
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
Whatever you decide to do, Jolene
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you, please don't take my man
(Don't take him, don't take him, don't take him)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can (just because you can)
Jolene, Jolene (please don't take him, please don't take him, Jolene)
Jolene
Jolene
He's the only one for me
Jolene
Jolene, Jolene
Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
I'm beggin' of you, please don't take my man
(Jolene)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green
(Jolene)
Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you, Jolene (Jolene)
He talks about you in his sleep
And there's nothing I can do to keep from crying
When he calls your name, Jolene (Jolene)
And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene (don't take him)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you, please don't take my man
Oh, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Oh, please don't take him just because you can (don't take him)
You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He's the only one for me, Jolene (he's the only one)
I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
Whatever you decide to do, Jolene
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you, please don't take my man
(Don't take him, don't take him, don't take him)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can (just because you can)
Jolene, Jolene (please don't take him, please don't take him, Jolene)
Jolene
Jolene
He's the only one for me
Jolene
Jolene, Jolene
Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
Lyrics submitted by Moondragon
Jolene Lyrics as written by Dolly Parton
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I’ve always thought “Jolene” was Dolly Pardon’s feminine version of the song “Cotton-Eyed Joe”. I’ve never heard this mentioned anywhere. And I don’t have any real evidence to back it up. However, if you look at the similarities between the two songs, I think it makes sense.
First, of course, there is the name Jolene itself. It’s the feminine of Joseph or Joe.
19th century versions of “Cotton-Eyed Joe” described Joe as bit of a buffoon who, for some inexplicable reason, managed to steal the narrator’s girl. But in the 20th century the character of Joe is often turned into more of a handsome lothario. This is epitomized by the lyrics in Nina Simone’s 1959 version:
If it hadn't been for cotton-eye joe I'd been married long time ago Where did you come from. Where did you go? Where did you come from cotton-eye joe?
[repeat]
He came to town like a midwinter storm He rode through the fields so Handsome and strong His eyes was his tools and his smile was his gun But all he had come for was having some fun
[repeat intro]
He brought disaster wherever he went The hearts of the girls was to hell broken sent They all ran away so nobody would know And left only men cause of cotton-eye joe
[repeat intro]
So, Cotton-Eyed Joe is a handsome man who rolls into town and steals the narrator’s woman. Dolly Parton’s Jolene is beautiful temptress who may, or may not take her man. No doubt Dolly would have heard “Cotton-Eyed Joe” many times in her life. I was a traditional bluegrass line dance song. The connection just seems clear to me. Yes?