Bookshelf

Alumni and faculty members who would like to have their books considered for this listing should contact Stacey Himmelberger, editor of Hamilton magazine. This list, which dates back to 2018, is updated periodically with books appearing alphabetically on the date of entry.

Dolly Parton’s Jolene by Lydia R. Hamessley, the John and Anne Fischer Professor Fine Arts in Music.

December 5, 2025

Tags Faculty Book

(Oxford University Press, 2025).

This popular hit tune by Dolly Parton is the subject of Hamessley’s second book focused on the singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman’s music and song-writing. It follows Unlikely Angel: The Songs of Dolly Parton (2020), which provided a comprehensive look at the process, influences, and themes that shaped Parton’s songwriting. According to the publisher’s website, this new book provides “a deep dive into ‘Jolene,’ one of Dolly Parton’s most well-known songs.”

Hamessley demonstrates how “Jolene” became a cultural phenomenon that many other musicians and groups have covered. They are as varied as Olivia Newton-John; South-African-based band The Congo Cowboys; garage-rock band The White Stripes; and Black funk, soul, and R&B singer Gloria Ann Taylor. Hamessley also writes about “answer songs,” including “You Can Have Him Jolene” by Chapel Hart; “Never Wanted to Be That Girl” by Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde; and “Jolene’s Reply” by alternative rock band White Rabbit Object.