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

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

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 ...

Here's how Dolly Parton's relationship with Carl Dean in their early years of marriage played a role in the creation of one ...

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 ...

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.'" Parton had recently married Dean in ...

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 ...