Dolly Parton's iconic song "Jolene" has reached the top of the streaming charts nearly 53 years after its initial release. On Wednesday morning, the track held the No. 1 position on Apple Music's Top 100 USA, with other Parton hits such as "9 to 5," "Islands in the Stream," and "I Will Always Love You" also appearing in the top 10.
The resurgence in popularity follows the news of Parton's death on Tuesday. "Jolene," featured on her 1974 album of the same name, became a hit shortly after its release in October 1973. Parton, who died at the age of 83 after a brief battle with cancer, had previously shared the inspiration behind the song.
During a 2014 concert at the Glastonbury Festival, Parton revealed that "Jolene" was loosely based on a real-life encounter with a striking bank teller who had shown attention to her husband, Carl Dean. Parton described how she confronted the woman, a redhead, and managed to dissuade her, leading to a Grammy-winning song and significant financial success.
"Had it not been for that woman I would never have written Jolene and I wouldn't have made all that money, so thank you, Jolene," Parton told the Glastonbury crowd. She also shared that the name "Jolene" came from a young fan she met at a concert who had red hair and green eyes, stating that the name sounded like a song.
Parton's representatives confirmed her death in a statement, noting that she passed away at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones. The statement also highlighted Parton's extensive philanthropy, including her Imagination Library book program and funding for vaccine research. Her passing came after months of declining health, leading her to cancel several public appearances, including a Las Vegas residency and the opening of a new ride at her Dollywood theme park. Her last public appearance is considered to be a video message shared at the Dollywood ride's opening.