Country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton once wrote two of her most successful songs within a few days of each other. When she sat down to write “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” she had two different men on her mind. One was her husband, Carl Dean. The other was fellow country powerhouse Porter Wagoner.
“Jolene” was written about a bank teller who took a particularly keen interest in Parton’s husband. The song’s title was inspired by a young fan she later met, whose name was Jolene. The singer thought the name was perfect for the moody tune.
