Photo: ashtronot
Dolly Parton joined rising artist Belles on “Son of Jolene,” a new, generational collaboration that continues the story that Parton told in the 1970s.
Belles wrote the modern “Jolene” sequel “as a clever, character-driven continuation of the classic story, imagining a chance encounter years later with Jolene’s son,” states a press release issued Friday (April 17). Parton is credited as a writer on the newly-debuted track, along with songwriters Dan Harrison and Tyler Bank. Belles honors Parton’s iconic ‘70s song while offering a fresh perspective with her “vivid storytelling.” Throughout “Son of Jolene,” listeners will catch unmistakable nods to Parton’s original, including the signature emerald green eyes and auburn locks that the “Son of Jolene” inherited from his mother. Belles sings, “Now I know how Dolly felt.”
“Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene/ It’s something that you’d never understand/ Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene/ That boy you raised will never be a man”
“I grew up so inspired by Dolly and the worlds she created through her songs,” Belles said in a statement. “Having her lend her voice to this record is beyond anything I could have imagined. It feels like a full-circle moment and a true honor.”
Parton reflected, “when I heard ‘Son of Jolene,’ I thought it was very clever. No one had ever thought of it that way.” Earlier this month, Belles shared a clip of the moment Parton shared the story behind her timeless single.
“Jolene was two different people for me,” Parton said in the clip. “When I met a little girl years ago, and her name was Jolene, she asked me to sign (something for her). I said, ‘I bet you’re named after your dad. I bet your dad’s name is Joe.’ And she said, ‘no, it’s just Jolene.’ And I said, ‘I love that name.’ …I said, ‘I’m gonna write a song about you one day,’ just because I love that name. And so, I had a reason to write a song. I changed the name of the real girl. So, when I was on my way from the stage to my bus, I kept singing, ‘Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene,’ just so I wouldn’t forget until I wrote it down. …I guess we both have our own Jolene story.”
“Son of Jolene” arrives ahead of Belles’ debut studio album, releasing later this year. Belles is gearing up for her “Songs & Stories Tour, which is headed to New York, Atlanta, Austin, Seattle and other major cities across the U.S. See the list of tour stops below. Listen to the new collaboration with Parton here:
Songs & Stories Tour Dates
5/1 – Bell Buckle, TN – Bell Buckle Hall $
5/9 – New York, NY – The Bitter End
6/11 – Omaha, NE – Reverb Lounge $
6/13 – Kansas City, KS – Green Guitar Folk House
6/19 – Dunn, NC – Bird’s Nest Listening Room $
6/20 – Atlanta, GA – Eddie’s Attic #
6/27 – Sweetwater, TX – House Concert Series
7/17 – Sewanee, TN – The Sewanee Inn *
7/18 – Fort Payne, AL – The Pickin Post *
7/25 – Des Moines, IA – xBk Live $
7/31 – Murfreesboro, TN – Hop Springs $
8/1 – Chattanooga, TN – Songbirds Listening Room $
8/6 – New Braunfels, TX – Gruene Hall
8/7 – Austin, TX – Cactus Cafe $
8/13 – Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit Live $
8/14 – Las Vegas, NV – Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
8/18 – Chicago, IL – Schubas Tavern $
8/19 – Lake Orion, MI – 20 Front Street
8/22 – Lansing, MI – The Green Door $
8/26 – Seattle, WA – Tractor Tavern $
8/27 – Portland, OR – The Showdown $
* supporting Gene Watson
# special guest Averie Bielski
$ special guest Johnny Gates