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Timothy Davis

Professor Charles Freeland

English 1201

13 February 2022

Analysis of “Jolene” by Dolly Parton and by Lil Nas X

“Please don't take my man” is a quote from the song “Jolene” which is known for its

heartfelt story by Dolly Parton. Many singers have made covers of this song and portrayed the

song completely differently but the cover written by Lil Nas X stood out to me most. Lil Nas X's

cover of “Jolene” made it unique by changing the tone and tempo of the song. The cover

“Jolene” by Lil Nas X and the original by Dolly Parton share a similar claim that women should

not take other people's men. The original has a tone that makes it seems as if she is distressed,

while the cover is sung as if he is already defeated.

The 1974 version of “Jolene” by Dolly Parton uses two music styles of country and pop

simultaneously. When Dolly Parton is singing “Jolene” she uses a tone of distress throughout the

song. The upbeat tempo can be described as if she is still trying to fight for her man. This tone

creates the claim because the story is about a woman named Jolene trying to take Dolly Parton's

husband away from her. Multiple times in the song Dolly Parton references that Jolene is trying

to take her man. For example, Dolly Parton states “I'm begging of you please don't take my man”

(Parton line 2). This quote connects to the theme and has a tone of distress as she is begging for

Jolene not to take her man even though she easily could.

The music video does not include a lot, it only consists of Dolly Parton singing into the

camera with a crowd of people in front of her. Dolly Parton is the main character as she is

dressed in goldish clothing with beautiful hair and makeup. As mentioned in the music video
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everyone wanted her to sing this song about Jolene. The reason the audience wanted her to sing

this song is that it is easily relatable. The audience that can relate to the song Jolene is anyone

who has experienced jealousy towards someone flirting or trying to steal a loved one from them.

Throughout the music video, Dolly changes her tone and facial expressions depending on

the part of the song. She does this to help set the tone of the song and help the audience relate to

her claims. She uses pathos to relate to her audience; this can be shown when she says “ there's

nothing I can do to keep From crying…” (Parton line 13-14). During this part, she sounds more

distressed because of how she is carrying out some of the words. Also, her smile can be seen

fading away as she finishes up singing as if she is reliving the moment. Dolly Parton changing

the tone and her facial expressions helps the audience relate to what she is saying and makes

them have sympathy towards her. Through Dolly Parton's song “Jolene” she uses a tone of

distress to help relate to the audience.

The Cover of “Jolene” By Lil Nas X brings a new tone. In Dolly Parton's version, she

used a tone of distress as she was still fighting, but in Lil Nas X’s version, the tone is as if he is

defeated and Jolene has stolen the husband already. With Lil Nas X being the singer it brings a

different perspective to the story, it makes it as if Jolene stole the only bi man that he loves which

builds the claims that he is defeated.

The music video consists of Lil Nas X singing straight into the camera and contains a lot

of red, red roses, red curtains, red lights. The red roses symbolize the love that was between the

two and that it is still there. The red lights symbolize the anger towards Jolene for stealing his

man. The music video has a dark vibe to it which can be related to the soft slow tone and the red

lighting. The tempo of the song is what brings the song this claim of defeat, it is sung slowly,

with a soft tone as if he is haunted by the thought of Jolene. The way the whole song is sung
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creates pathos because it sounds as if he has given up on love. This makes the audience feel

sadness. The audience is anyone who has ever had to compete to keep a loved one by their side.

In conclusion, the two singers have sung the same songs but with different tones and

perspectives. Dolly Parton sang with a tone of distress as if she was still hanging onto her man

and still has hope. Lil Nas X is singing with a tone as if he has already lost his man to Jolene and

is exhausted from the experience. The perspectives differ because Lil Nas X is a guy singing

about how he is losing his guy lover.

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Work cited

“Dolly Parton- Jolene [Official Music Video].” YouTube, uploaded by Dolly Parton, 3 Dec.

2013, https://youtu.be/L0eeSoU35wM. Accessed 13 Feb. 2022.

“Lil Nas X - Jolene (Dolly Parton Cover) in the Live Lounge’” YouTube, uploaded by Lil Nas X,

21 Sep. 2021, https://youtu.be/RWjnC8HSRdU. Accessed 13 Feb. 2022.

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