Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don’t take her even though you can.
Dolly Parton’s enduring classic, “Jolene,” has long radiated a certain poignant charm despite its somewhat upbeat arrangement—each lyrical plea teeming with yearning and unspoken anxiety. Beneath its iconic country twang lies an emotional core of profound insecurity, an anxious refrain repeated like prayer. With trembling vulnerability, Parton’s original documents the razor-thin line between passionate hope and the sting of looming betrayal.
Athens, Georgia’s Tears For The Dying take this ballad down a different, more shadowy road, teasing out the threads of longing and emotional fragility buried in Ms. Parton’s composition. Their rendition darkens the mood, swapping country sunlight for a more wistful gloom and subtly updating the lyrics for a modern, inclusive perspective. Gone is the sly bounce of the original; in its place emerges a haunted atmosphere that brings the song’s sense of uneasy longing into sharper focus.
The video, directed by Franky Villanueva, offers a pivot from the usual heartbreak storyline, highlighting resilience and personal growth. While it doesn’t explicitly delve into polyamory, it invites a deeper conversation about alternative relationship models and the courage to redefine connection. Instead of collapsing into jealousy, the protagonist steps toward peace, choosing self-determination over solitary despair. “Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene / Please don’t take her even though you can” transforms into a quiet assertion of possibility, a testament to forging new bonds and leaving toxic entanglements behind.
Even as the visuals refract fresh potential, this version pays tribute to the past: the song itself was recorded in memory of Jerry Stembridge, also known as Chip Young—Dolly Parton’s guitarist and a close family member of Tears For The Dying’s lead singer, Adria Sternbridge. “Uncle Chip,” as Sternbridge recalls, was the humble virtuoso behind the original track’s unmistakable fingerpicked guitar line. Though he never played up his star power at family gatherings, his legacy resonates here in every resounding chord.
In this reimagining, jealousy’s familiar pang is softened by open-hearted reflection. From inclusive lyric updates to the new emotional arc, Tears For The Dying’s “Jolene” broadens the conversation around love, partnership, and letting go. It underscores that endings—when embraced with honesty—can evolve into healthier, happier beginnings. The longing remains, but the lens of despair is reshaped into one of empowerment and choice.
Watch the video for “Jolene” below:
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