"Jolene" is a song released in 1973, written and performed by country star Dolly Parton. "Jolene" was one of the singer's first hits, in large part due to everyone being able to relate to it. Although I am not a country music fan, this song’s lyrics and catchy chorus makes it very likable. The song speaks of feeling inadequate for the love of a person, a feeling that any man or woman has felt at one point or another.
Listening to “Jolene” makes me feel two opposing feelings. At first listening to this song makes me feel insecure and weak, probably because of the emotions conveyed by Parton’s voice. Lyrics such as “there’s nothing I can do to keep from crying”, and “I’m begging of you please don’t take my man” make me sympathize with Dolly Parton and her feeling that she is not good enough for her only love. However, I am also empowered by this song, an empowerment mostly stemming from not wanting to feel inadequate.
Dolly Parton's hit song is one of my favorite country songs mostly because of its crossover appeal. It’s catchy chorus and simple lyrics make this country hit likable to a wider audience. The song’s ability to tell a story also makes this song very intriguing. With less than 200 words this song is able to hook the listener, convey deep emotions, and tell a story.
This entire song is an argument. Through its lyrics Dolly Parton argues to Jolene to forget “her man” (Parton’s husband). Parton tells Jolene that “you can have your choice of men” while “I can never love again” because she can only love her husband and doesn’t want him to leave her for Jolene. Dolly Parton begs Jolene not to take her man, and argues that because of her beauty she has the power to take her man away from her. Parton also tells Jolene that she has the power to take away her happiness by taking her man away. The country star makes it clear that she does not feel confident enough to keep her man and that Jolene, with her beauty, can tempt him to leave her, thus ruining her happiness.
Narrative
It was a cold rainy morning,"I'm finally here" he thought as he took his first step off the plane. It was a long flight from his small town in Texas, but J.D. was finally in the city of his dreams, the city he had always seen in pictures and in movies. As he took the bus to the city, he marveled at the sight of world famous landmarks and sky-high buildings.
Soon enough he was in his hotel room. "Time to start living" he told his friend Rose. "Let's go!" That first night J.D. and Rose went out to a club with Mark and a couple of his friends, strangers they met while they were out for lunch that day.
JD was 21 and Rose was 22, but both weren't alcohol drinkers. Due to peer pressure they started to do things unlike their character. At the club JD and Rose started to emulate the behavior of their new friends.
"Here have this shot" said Mark. "No, no, it's ok, I rather not" said J.D. "Oh, come on man, don't be a wuss, you can do it!" replied Mark. "Alright, alright, but just one" said J.D. That's where things started to go down hill that night. After J.D.'s first shot, Rose soon followed, not wanting to feel left out.
After 3 hours, J.D. and Rose were still taking shots. Somewhere around that time an alcohol-fueled fight broke out between Mark and another club-goer. Feeling courageous and untouchable J.D. decided to join in the fight in Mark's defense.
J.D. woke up around mid day the next day. He had bruises all over his body and an almost unrecognizable face. Mark and his friends were no where to be found. "We can't do that again J.D. Look at you... look at me, I've been throwing up all morning. This isn't us J.D." He knew Rose was right. Fun wasn't going to come in the form of partying and drinking. It wasn't going to come in following other people's idea of fun. J.D. took a look in the mirror and he knew he was a changed man.
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