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Miley Cyrus — Jolene
Album: The Backyard Sessions
Avg rating:
6.2

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1116









Released: 2013
Length: 2:57
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Oh, I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him even though you can

Your beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of emerald green

Your smile is like a breath of spring
Your skin is soft like summer rain
And I can not compete with you, Jolene

And I can easily understand
How you could easily take my man
But you don't know what he means to me, Jolene

He talks about you in his sleep
There's nothing I can do to keep
From crying when he calls your name, Jolene, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him even though you can
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him even though you can

I had to have this talk with you
My happiness depends on you
And whatever you decide to do, Jolene

And you could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
Cause he's the only one for me, Jolene, Jolene

Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Oh, I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him even though you can
Jolene, Jolene
Comments (137)add comment
 oufason wrote:

This is supposed to be a compliment...    IMHO this song is quintessential white trash country.   Its perfect for Miley 



Ha! That made me do spit take. 
Nod White trash.. Maybe. But I love Dolly. And if  a couple xerox covers of her greats helps out less fortunate,  then awesome!
"I admit it, I'm a Miley Cyrus fan! I celebrate the woman's entire collection! For my money it doesn't get any better than when she sings 'Jolene'."  --The Bobs
 forthbrdge wrote:

I like this, but it does lack something that is in Dolly's. Maybe a touch of malice perhaps. Miley's begging, Dolly is gonna do something about it. 



Which make the art of the cover so interesting
she does a really nice cover of this
This is supposed to be a compliment...    IMHO this song is quintessential white trash country.   Its perfect for Miley 
Nothing will top Dolly's version for me, but it's great to see Miley grow up and follow her father's footsteps into country
 jp33442 wrote:

Miley is a no talent person. And  why is bill playing this thing, wish CD she would just go the fuck away


Wow...H8.  Ease down there, Stimey.
See the Dolly Parson's America podcast.    Excellent.
can someone play this at 33 1/3 to see if she sounds like Ray LaMontagne too?
 zedwhytheexwarrior wrote:

Anybody think about the lyrics of this song? I'm disappointed Miley covered it.


Not disappointed, just thinking of pots & kettles & the colour of each.
 sajitjacob wrote:

A good song is a good song, no matter who's singing it.


If it's only performed by bad performers who would ever know it was good?
she is such a great artist, never thought I'd say that
I like this, but it does lack something that is in Dolly's. Maybe a touch of malice perhaps. Miley's begging, Dolly is gonna do something about it. 
Mindy Smith version from her first album is MUCH better than this. Apparently links don't render here, but search Mindy Smith Jolene and you can find it.
A good song is a good song, no matter who's singing it.
Anybody think about the lyrics of this song? I'm disappointed Miley covered it.
Miley is a no talent person. And  why is bill playing this thing, wish CD she would just go the fuck away
 jlind wrote:
 cc_rider wrote:

Yeah, I didn't know who it was, checked, and wanted to dislike it. But she really nails this. Wow.
c.
 I think i have the original at 7, this is an 8 because Miley is demonstrating her range into what must be an uncomfortable place. Tons more respect for her. BillG++ for finding this track.

 
agreed, the backyard sessions video for this is really cool too.  Just one man's opinion, but I like this version as well as or better than all others i've heard...
 cc_rider wrote:

Yeah, I didn't know who it was, checked, and wanted to dislike it. But she really nails this. Wow.
c.
 I think i have the original at 7, this is an 8 because Miley is demonstrating her range into what must be an uncomfortable place. Tons more respect for her. BillG++ for finding this track.

 JimboLD wrote:
For the interested, here's all the versions of Jolene on RP by rating:

Dolly Parton -- 7
Slow Dolly -- 7
The Weepies -- 7
Bob Dylan -- 6
Miley Cyrus -- 6
Mindy Smith -- 6

Based on RP user rating logic, Miley Cyrus is as good as Bob Dylan!
 

According to my feet, Miley's version is way better ;)

And I love the The White Stripes version, too!
She really is an under-rated talent. As others have said, she nails this one, and she has the deep ties to Dolly to back it up.

Thinking of her great performance on SNL from October 2013. She had been through the wringer the past week in the media as she had emphatically asserted her adulthood, and was getting dragged for it. Then in the midst of that maelstrom she shows up on SNL and does this.
A serviceable remake since, as much as Dolly rules, her voice is a little high and strident.

But, not a ton of emotion here.

And a nice nod to Miley's godmother - Dolly.
 aonley wrote:Cover songs are truly inspired when they take a distinctly different approach to the original, transforming into something conceptually different - in contrast to the song’s original concept, which may have been clearly articulated by its writer and felt by the listener. Such transformation is not easy to do.  

Great covers do not simply sing the words and play the music in roughly the same spirit. Yes, the cover vocals and music are inherently different from the original (they are, after all, different singers and musicians), but the differences can and should be more than this. Otherwise the cover cannot stand on its own creative merit and could rightly be described as mimicry.

Examples of great covers: 
Pretty Woman - Van Halen (original by Roy Orbison)
Ziggy Stardust - Bauhaus (original by David Bowie)
China Girl - David Bowie (original by Iggy Pop)
well explained. so from that explanation this song doesnt live up to your exceptions?  as it sounds very similar to the original of D.P.
 

Cover songs are truly inspired when they take a distinctly different approach to the original, transforming into something conceptually different - in contrast to the song’s original concept, which may have been clearly articulated by its writer and felt by the listener. Such transformation is not easy to do.

Great covers do not simply sing the words and play the music in roughly the same spirit. Yes, the cover vocals and music are inherently different from the original (they are, after all, different singers and musicians), but the differences can and should be more than this. Otherwise the cover cannot stand on its own creative merit and could rightly be described as mimicry.

Examples of great covers:
Pretty Woman - Van Halen (original by Roy Orbison)
Ziggy Stardust - Bauhaus (original by David Bowie)
China Girl - David Bowie (original by Iggy Pop)
MEH! 
"and I can not complete with you Do lly"
 flyboy wrote:
This reminds me of Kenny Rogers "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town."  Which is a song I love and would like to hear on RP.
 
Like the cover of Ruby by the Gun club and Jeffrey Lee Pierce, maybe we can get some Gun club on RP, totally deserve it both.
Recently found out an amazing live Jack white cover of this song!
It may be a good rendition, but I just can't get past how Miley is the epitomy of everything that is wrong with corporate contrived talentless modern popular music.  I just can't.  And that is on me I guess, because a lot of people are posting good things about this song. 
I'll go so far as to say this is the best version of this song (sorry Dolly). I was surprised to see who the artist was - and like it a lot anyways. 
 jonahboo wrote:
not worth the effort, original is damn good. this adds nothing.   Only thing it serves is turning on a younger generation to seek out the original,   

Sorta like the Lincoln Tunnel.....just a conduit to NYC (Dolly being NYC), this being an exhaust and noise filled underground tube
 
Not necessarily agreeing but a funny comment nevertheless.
Every time I hear this song I wonder just how beautiful Jolene had to be that Dolly Parton could not compare.
This is a nice cover.

Sometimes Dolly P voice sounds like a cartoon vocal. 
This is a nice cover.

Sometimes Dolly P voice  sounds like a cartoon vocal.   
 flyboy wrote:
This reminds me of Kenny Rogers "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town."  Which is a song I love and would like to hear on RP.
 
RIP Mr. Rogers!
Don't even try...
This reminds me of Kenny Rogers "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town."  Which is a song I love and would like to hear on RP.
 hbs47 wrote:
OK ish, but sounds  a bit soulless.
 
Not bad, pretty voice but unconvincing for someone singing about their life falling apart.  Dolly owns it and gets the 10. 
Haters gonna hate, but this is a very nice cover. Sung very well. Well done Miley.
Much prefer this one - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlUdKF60joY
I like this voice a bit better than Dolly, whose grates on me a bit.
Bill really now???
As annoying as she is, she DOES know how to sing. Filed under "Songs we want to hate but can't"
Thank you RP again for being eclectic.
As for Miley   she is an entertainer.  She has survived the child/ tee/adult transition as a performer .   This is different from raw voice talent. 
She will join Cher, Rod Stuart and even Ozzie as entertainers who are popular decade after decade 
Not a one hit wonder 
 fredriley wrote:
Oh, FFS! Shite covered is still shite.
 
Wow, fredriley!  True that the upbeat tempo and delivery belie the message in the lyrics, but shite?  I'll not rate it, however.

Apropos note:  The wife of one of my Iron Butt buddies named his motorcycle Jolene.  THAT fits the message in the lyrics.
 Hendon2 wrote:
Just A Big Fat NO!
 
8
Just A Big Fat NO!
Come on. What is the point? I have to agree here. This is a conspicuously lazy cover that brings nothing. Slow Dolly is a better cover of Dolly by a poorly adjusted record player.
not worth the effort, original is damn good. this adds nothing.   Only thing it serves is turning on a younger generation to seek out the original,   

Sorta like the Lincoln Tunnel.....just a conduit to NYC (Dolly being NYC), this being an exhaust and noise filled underground tube
This is a workmanlike version but the original by Dolly Parton is so superior and even the Pentatonix/Parton version far surpasses this. I wonder why RP plays such a mediocre version when far superior exist?
Oh, FFS! Shite covered is still shite.
Nah. Sounds like a run through to me. Warming up or something. No feeling.
It ain’t Highway to Hell, but I like!
 cc_rider wrote:

Yeah, I didn't know who it was, checked, and wanted to dislike it. But she really nails this. Wow.
c.
 
The only negative I can come up with is her voice isn't nearly as distinctive as Dolly's.  Other than that it's a damn good version.
what garbage, just like the original garbage.
IMHO an outstanding cover of her Godmother's greatest song.
A solid 8.
My rating increases from 7 to 8
Hannah Montana!

meh
Oh c'mon - she doesn't even go for the big high note at the end! 
(Wonder what it sounds like at 33?)
we, the good pop/rock music lovers in Isrsel, do not like to hear this, for having it too much in the Isrseli radio statoons. Just wanted you to know. love your station. Ami.
 JimboLD wrote:
For the interested, here's all the versions of Jolene on RP by rating:

Dolly Parton — 7
Slow Dolly — 7
The Weepies — 7
Bob Dylan — 6
Miley Cyrus — 6
Mindy Smith — 6
 
What?  The White Stripes version is not in RP rotation??  That one would get a 9 from me, and I warrant, from many others as well.  Jack White turns Dolly's tearful humility, into pleading despair.
I've never heard this version before, and she did a good job...
You don't play John Mayer but will play Miley?  At least he writes his own music! 
 arserocket wrote:
didn't know who this was and thought I like it ... now I know, I still like it    {#Nyah}
 
Yeah, I didn't know who it was, checked, and wanted to dislike it. But she really nails this. Wow.
c.
didn't know who this was and thought I like it ... now I know, I still like it    {#Nyah}
For the interested, here's all the versions of Jolene on RP by rating:

Dolly Parton -- 7
Slow Dolly -- 7
The Weepies -- 7
Bob Dylan -- 6
Miley Cyrus -- 6
Mindy Smith -- 6

Based on RP user rating logic, Miley Cyrus is as good as Bob Dylan!
Growing up as a teenager in the 60s in England, this happened to me a lot, often I quite liked the song playing on the radio, after discovering who was singing it,  I would hate that song playing on the radio! 
After hearing this, I would consider going to a Miley concert - incognito of course.  Negative commenters watch her do this song at Wango Tango. 
Found this in the "Unnecessary Covers" bin of my local record store. 
No matter who sings this song, I'll say it again....if your man is so fickle that he can be easily taken by Jolene, then it's time to move on.

 meauclaire wrote:
Don't ever do this again!

 
hahaha! ditto!!
Dolly and Miley back to back! Outstanding 
{#Eek} Dolly Parton put emotion in the performance, this version sounds dutifully and uninspired...
It's a pretty faithful cover and I can't find the motivation to hate it like some.

But I'm not sure it adds anything interesting to the original. 
 themusicroob wrote:

I'm not sure its prudish to suggest that if your core demographic is teenage girls you might want take some responsibility for their self worth as something other than a sex object.

 
It is indeed prudish AND her core demographic was teenage girls a decade ago.   They are adults now.

Raise your own and stop expecting others to do it for you.
 bigbull224 wrote:
I can't believe the hate supposed music lovers show, regarding Miley and her ever evolving artistry.  I find myself thinking she shows signs of brilliance as she experiments and it must be hard to move forward under a microscope.

 
Totally agree, I gave her a 9 and am kind of amazed, but I am really liking this cover...
There is something very sad about hearing Miley Cyrus in any capacity on Radio Paradise. First Trump... now this? When do I start hearing Wrecking Ball?
Don't ever do this again!
UUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!
Of all the cover versions of "Jolene", in my opinion, the White Stripes does the best. Sorry Miley. 
I can't believe the hate supposed music lovers show, regarding Miley and her ever evolving artistry.  I find myself thinking she shows signs of brilliance as she experiments and it must be hard to move forward under a microscope.
Around my house she's known as Ciley Virus.
 h8rhater wrote:

Wow... and some people thought folks from NYC were progressive.  You might be a little nearer to prude than you realize.  Biblical references are a dead giveaway.

BTW: If it's a great cover, it's a great cover.  Enjoy it.

 
I'm not sure its prudish to suggest that if your core demographic is teenage girls you might want take some responsibility for their self worth as something other than a sex object.
Her offstage antics are irrelevant to the fact that she does a damn good job on this song.  I wish there was a little more sparkle from the band, though.
 Clyde_Bedow wrote:
Who? (double take.)

Ok, this isn't bad!
But as a mixer/producer myself- I can pretty confidently suggest, that vocal track is a marvel of modern technology.
Hook me up with a live unprocessed version and prove me wrong.

But still, pretty nice work. Just not yet sure who to credit.

 
She performed this in the subway, though I don't know what that proves.
abrasive voice. abrasive personality. irritating song from an irritating artist.
Fun. Dolly Parton covering Collective Soul, followed by Miley covering Dolly.
The ability of the material to transcend its interpreter/performer and remain high quality is rare and special. That said, Ms. Cyrus shows more talent here than I am used to hearing. Good for her. 
check our "French" version on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkQn7swEA2s
wow a photo of MC without that anaconda tongue sticking out (cute tune)
 Clyde_Bedow wrote:
Who? (double take.)

Ok, this isn't bad!
But as a mixer/producer myself- I can pretty confidently suggest, that vocal track is a marvel of modern technology.
Hook me up with a live unprocessed version and prove me wrong.

But still, pretty nice work. Just not yet sure who to credit.

 
This is supposed to be her w/o autotune, but can't say for sure:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez-T3TU36ns

OK ish, but sounds  a bit soulless.
I don't get the hate.  She crushes this song and does it justice.  I know the whole Miley thing is a joke, but come on, she has country cred and the band on this is an all-star lineup of Nashville session players.  Even Dolly thinks it's great.
Who? (double take.)

Ok, this isn't bad!
But as a mixer/producer myself- I can pretty confidently suggest, that vocal track is a marvel of modern technology.
Hook me up with a live unprocessed version and prove me wrong.

But still, pretty nice work. Just not yet sure who to credit.
 kingart wrote:
Say what? 
I'm far from a prude, but this young girlie nymphet Hannah Banana who has/had an outsize influence on other young women, who feigned fellatio with a concert microphone while shaking her ass like Salome on speed and who made millions by doing so, but now, it would seem, wants to be a classy songstress — umm, that's why there is a black poolhole of commercial radio.  WSUK.  Even if it's a great cover, it's an auto PSD for me. 

 
Wow... and some people thought folks from NYC were progressive.  You might be a little nearer to prude than you realize.  Biblical references are a dead giveaway.

BTW: If it's a great cover, it's a great cover.  Enjoy it.
Thanks for adding this song to the rotation. The whole point of RP is to explore great music across many different genres. Don't let the hate-country crowd dissuade you from playing gems like this.
So I asked a newish beer cart girl on our golf course what her name was about a week ago, and she said "Jolene". I hadn't heard anyone named that in awhile, and now I hear this song on RP.
and the real kicker is it's Hannah Montana singing it.
It's all too much, man.
I see what you did there, Bill. Two great covers. Thanks as always!
hard to screw up this song! {#Dancingbanana_2}
 jmsmy wrote:
You gotta admit Bill has no limits.

 
Are you talking about her dad - or our musical host?
  that's just crazy man.. {#Tongue-out}
Here with nice video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOwblaKmyVw

 kingart wrote:
...who feigned fellatio with a concert microphone...
 
Speaking of which, why is there nothing by The Runaways in the playlist?

(What's old is new again.)
 
I saw her do this on Jimmy Fallon and she was great!...was wondering if I would hear the original on RP
I'm confused. Great song, sung by Miley Cyrus.
Nice reply (and song).  PSD is against my religion :)   

dwhayslett wrote:

But this *is* something different.

 


 ShamanManu wrote:
vocally not bad but it lacks emotion

   
I agree. And also agree that people who get up in arms about it only *after* they see the name in the playlist... confuse me. Judge it by the music first. Comment on her history for your own entertainment, if you must. But try not to conflate the two.
You gotta admit Bill has no limits.
If I hadn't heard it with my own ears, I wouldn't a believed it.  

Interesting ...
Well there's an RP curve ball right over the plate... 
 beemerjim wrote:
Who'da guessed? She actually does a good job on a great song.
 

 
Agreed.  It doesn't really add anything to Dolly's (well maybe a different tone of pain in the voice) but it is nice to be reminded that Cyrus for all her public nonsense is indeed a talented singer.
 verner wrote:
Had no idea she could actually sing. Thought she was a teen pop star that had some squeaky saccharine voice. Fairly surprised. 

 
She's got a lot of talent, with some bad personal choices.

Now, let's start talking about great musicians who made bad choices, like David Crosby and..well, I think it's easy to make the point. 
 jnesser wrote:
Seriously???  On RP??  PSD

 
But this *is* something different.
Well, RP is great for those of us intent on discovering something new to us.

Unfortunately, we already knew that Miley has a great voice (distinctive, even) and Jolene is probably the most covered Country tune of all time, so... nothing discovered here {#Undecided}

But there must be some gems in her repertoire, so if anyone in the know has any ideas - bring it on!
Say what? 
I'm far from a prude, but this young girlie nymphet Hannah Banana who has/had an outsize influence on other young women, who feigned fellatio with a concert microphone while shaking her ass like Salome on speed and who made millions by doing so, but now, it would seem, wants to be a classy songstress — umm, that's why there is a black poolhole of commercial radio.  WSUK.  Even if it's a great cover, it's an auto PSD for me. 
She's a living, breathing trainwreck and deserves a lot of the criticism she gets for her life choices—but if you're gonna criticize what she gets wrong, it's only fair to recognize when she gets something right.

She got this one right.
A big NOPE for me.  Play the original or the slowed-down version, but please, not this.
putting aside any feelings towards the artist and judging this song simply on its merits it's a solid 2
Who'da guessed? She actually does a good job on a great song.