On this day (February 4) in 1974, Dolly Parton released her classic album Jolene. It would become one of her first top 10 albums on the Billboard country chart. More importantly, the album contained two timeless hits that became Parton’s signature songs—the title track and “I Will Always Love You.”
Jolene marked a pivotal point in Parton’s career. While it was her 13th solo album, it was her last release before she struck out on her own. She joined the cast of The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967. She sang with Wagoner on the show and they released several duet albums. By 1974, she was ready to sever ties with the Wagon Master and begin her journey to superstardom.
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Parton penned “I Will Always Love You” for Wagoner. It was both a plea to let her go and a farewell to him, their duet partnership, and the television show. While he agreed to part ways with the up-and-coming singer/songwriter, she would stay on the show for two more months. She vacated her role on the show in April 1974.
Parton wrote eight of the ten songs for Jolene. The Wagoner-penned “Lonely Comin’ Down” was one of the outside songs she recorded for the collection. She had recorded it in the past for the tribute album My Favorite Songwriter, Porter Wagoner two years earlier.
Jolene Produces a Pair of Dolly Parton’s Signature Hits
Dolly Parton struggled to find chart success throughout the ‘60s. The ‘70s, on the other hand, saw her scoring her first No. 1 singles and beginning to rise to the level of stardom for which she is known today.
Parton released “Jolene” as the lead single from the album in May 1973. The track went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, giving the East Tennessee native her second chart-topper. Additionally, it was her first entry into the all-genre Hot 100 and the Adult Contemporary charts. It peaked at No. 60 and No. 44 on those surveys, respectively.
“I Will Always Love You” was the second single and second chart-topper from Jolene. It also peaked at No. 20 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Nearly two decades later Whitney Houston covered the song for her film The Bodyguard. It topped the all-genre Hot 100 for 14 weeks. It also went to No. 1 in more than 30 countries. Additionally, Houston’s rendition of the song received a Diamond certification from the RIAA.
Jolene stood the test of time. After more than 50 years, it is proof that a classic never goes out of style.
Featured Image by David Redfern/Redferns
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