In 2008, the singer told NPR that the inspiration behind "Jolene" was a pretty bank teller whom she and Dean met long ago.

Dolly Parton has explained that her 1973 hit "Jolene" was inspired by her husband Carl Thomas Dean, who has died at age 82.

More: How Dolly Parton honored husband Carl Dean after his death and what to know about their 'many wonderful years together' ...

And she said, 'Jolene.' And I said, 'Jolene. Jolene. Jolene. Jolene.' I said, 'That is pretty. That sounds like a song. I'm going to write a song about that.' " Despite the singer's frustration ...

And she said, ‘Jolene.’" "And I said, well, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene. I said, that is pretty, I said, that sounds like a song. I'm going to write a song about that." "Jolene" became one of ...

Simplicity is key to the song’s appeal. “It’s just the same word over and over,” Parton told NPR. “Even a first-grader or a baby can sing, 'Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene'. It's like, how hard can ...

And she said, 'Jolene.' And I said, 'Jolene. Jolene. Jolene. Jolene.' I said, 'That is pretty. That sounds like a song. I'm going to write a song about that.'" In the song, Parton sings that ...