Jolene
The White Stripes · Under Great White Northern Lights [2010]
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,
and your voice is soft like summer rain.
And I can not compete with you Jolene.
And he talks about you in his sleep,
and there's nothing I can do to keep
from crying, when he calls your name, Jolene
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene.
I'm begging of you please don't take my man.
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene.
Please don't take him even though you can.
Well I can easily understand
how you can easily take my man,
but you don't know what he means to me Jolene.
Well you can have your choice of men,
but I could never love again.
He's the only one for me, Jolene.
And I had to have this talk with you.
My happiness depends on you,
and whatever you decide to do
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene.
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
The White Stripes' rendition of "Jolene" appears on the 2010 compilation Under Great White Northern Lights, showcasing the duo's ability to reinterpret classic material. Jack and Meg White's version strips the song down to their signature garage rock and blues foundation, emphasizing raw energy over the original's folk-country melancholy. This recording highlights their knack for transforming well-known standards into distinct songs within their own discography. By covering a song so deeply associated with another artist, the band demonstrates their versatility and enduring influence in the rock genre. The track serves as a testament to their collaborative chemistry and their capacity to breathe new life into established works through their unique sonic lens.