Olivia Newton-John’s “Jolene”

Abstract British-Australian pop singer Olivia Newton-John recorded the first prominent cover of “Jolene” in 1976. At that time, Nashville was worried that pop music and musicians were infiltrating country music, and Newton-John was the catalyst that led to the formation of the Association of Country Entertainers (ACE). Her version of “Jolene” was released during this divisive reckoning, and it appeared the year Dolly signed with new management and began her own move into pop music. Dolly had taken note of Newton-John’s success with “Jolene” and the boost it gave her own recording. Its revived popularity encouraged Dolly to record more crossover pop songs. Newton-John’s last project, an album of duets, included “Jolene,” which she and Dolly recorded a few months before Newton-John’s death. Their duet blends the two women’s approach to the song. The chapter includes a musical analysis of Newton-John’s cover as well as the duet.