Dolly Parton’s Jolene origin: a flirtatious moment and Carl Dean’s quiet reaction

Dolly Parton says Jolene grew from a real moment when a flirtatious encounter with another woman drew attention to her husband Carl Dean; Dean was a little embarrassed by the song, which became one of Parton’s biggest hits, and Parton has long kept their private marriage; the piece also notes Dean’s death and Jolene’s lasting legacy, including Beyoncé’s cover and Parton’s Rockstar-era inspirations.