Photo: Tech. Sgt. Cherie A. Thurlby, U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
"Jolene" is a song written and recorded by Dolly Parton, released in 1973 as the title track of her 1974 album. In it, the narrator begs a beautiful rival — "Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene" — not to take her man. The song topped the country chart, became one of the most covered songs in popular music and was named to Rolling Stone's list of the greatest songs of all time.
For Miley Cyrus, Parton's goddaughter, performing "Jolene" became a signature: her 2012 Backyard Sessions cover went viral, and she has sung it at tributes to Parton ever since, including her emotional Hollywood Bowl performances in October 2026.