Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' at 33 RPM: A Slowed-Down Version Reframes the Classic Song

A slowed-down version of Dolly Parton's 1973 hit "Jolene," played at 33 RPM instead of the standard 45, has gained attention for transforming the song's narrative. The audio, dubbed "Slow Ass Jolene," was highlighted by Andrea DenHoed in The New Yorker, who noted that Parton's "baby-high soprano" becomes deep, soulful, and seemingly male. This shift blurs gender lines, offering new interpretations: the narrator could be a gay man, a woman in a same-sex relationship, or a man in a socially conservative setting. The original song, a plea from a woman to her rival Jolene, is autobiographical; Parton told NPR it was inspired by a red-haired bank teller who flirted with her husband, though the teller's name wasn't Jolene. The name came from a young girl at an early concert. The slowed version makes the chorus plaintive and sad rather than fierce, as one YouTube commenter joked, "Jolene better stay the hell away from Roy Orbison's man!" The post, originally published in 2018, was republished following Parton's passing on August 25, 2026, as a tribute. Parton's death was reported by CNN. The article also includes related content about songs reworked in different keys or contexts.