Beyonce — JOLENE | Analyrical Content
Below you will find the complete lyrics to the song JOLENE and its meaning. Then I will post an image. After the image will be an analytical lyrical (analyrical) analysis of the song with some additional commentary. Her lyrics will be in bold in the second section, and the commentary will look unbolded like this.
Lyrics:
[Intro]
(Jolene)
(Jolene)
[Chorus: Beyoncé]
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m warnin’ you, don’t come for my man (Jolene)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Don’t take the chance because you think you can
[Verse 1: Beyoncé]
You’re beautiful, beyond compare
Takes more than beauty and seductive stares
To come between a family and a happy man
Jolene, I’m a woman too
Thе games you play are nothing new
So you don’t want no hеat with me, Jolene
We’ve been deep in love for twenty years
I raised that man, I raised his kids
I know my man better than he knows himself (Yeah, what?)
I can easily understand
Why you’re attracted to my man
But you don’t want this smoke, so shoot your shot with someone else (You heard me)
[Chorus: Beyoncé]
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m warnin’ you, woman, find you your own man
Jolene, I know I’m a queen, Jolene
I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisianne (Don’t try me)
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[Verse 2: Beyoncé]
There’s a thousand girls in every room
That act as desperate as you do
You a bird, go on and sing your tune, Jolene (What?)
I had to have this talk with you
’Cause I hate to have to act a fool
Your peace depends on how you move, Jolene
[Bridge: Beyoncé & Choir]
Me and my man crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
Good deeds roll in like tumblin’ weeds
I sleep good, happy
’Cause you can’t dig up our planted seeds
I know my man’s gon’ stand by me, breathin’ in my gentle breeze
I crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
Good deeds roll in like tumblin’ weeds
Good and happy
’Cause you can’t dig up them planted seeds
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’ma stand by her, she gon’ stand by me, Jolene
[Outro: Beyoncé & Choir]
I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me
(I’ma stand by her, she gon’ stand by me)
I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me, Jolene
[Intro]
(Jolene)
(Jolene)
[Chorus: Beyoncé]
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m warnin’ you, don’t come for my man (Jolene)
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Don’t take the chance because you think you can
If you’re here then you love this song. What makes it special is the language Beyonce uses. She speaks like a country black woman and uses colorful language that resonates with Black people.
The tone of voice is aggressive and very “fuck around and find out” adjacent. It’s pretty self explanatory and very straightforward so I will only be adding to parts I like.
[Verse 1: Beyoncé]
You’re beautiful, beyond compare
Takes more than beauty and seductive stares
To come between a family and a happy man
Jolene, I’m a woman too
Thе games you play are nothing new
So you don’t want no hеat with me, Jolene
We’ve been deep in love for twenty years
I raised that man, I raised his kids
I know my man better than he knows himself (Yeah, what?)
I can easily understand
Why you’re attracted to my man
But you don’t want this smoke, so shoot your shot with someone else (You heard me)
An example of the colorful language that she uses is telling Jolene that she doesn’t want “no heat” and she “doesn’t want this smoke”.
I think this last sentence here might be my favorite line from the whole album “You don’t want this smoke so shoot your shot with someone else”.
[Chorus: Beyoncé]
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’m warnin’ you, woman, find you your own man
Jolene, I know I’m a queen, Jolene
I’m still a Creole banjee bitch from Louisianne (Don’t try me)
Beyonce is showing that she’s aware of her status, and won’t let that stop her from getting her hands dirty and getting down to an ass whooping. For those who don’t know “banjee” means you’re form the hood.
[Verse 2: Beyoncé]
There’s a thousand girls in every room
That act as desperate as you do
You a bird, go on and sing your tune, Jolene (What?)
I had to have this talk with you
’Cause I hate to have to act a fool
Your peace depends on how you move, Jolene
Words like “act a fool” and “how you move” resonate with Beyonce’s longstanding audience who speak like her.
Also, so much shade is being thrown here and I love it.
[Bridge: Beyoncé & Choir]
Me and my man crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
Good deeds roll in like tumblin’ weeds
I sleep good, happy
’Cause you can’t dig up our planted seeds
I know my man’s gon’ stand by me, breathin’ in my gentle breeze
I crossed those valleys
Highs and lows and everything between
Good deeds roll in like tumblin’ weeds
Good and happy
’Cause you can’t dig up them planted seeds
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I’ma stand by her, she gon’ stand by me, Jolene
Beyonce is confident in her relationship. Well since this is kind of a cover I don’t think she’s talking about Jay Z. Yet at the same time they’ve been together for over 20 years so possibly she is making this song personal. The other details in this song make me believe she is singing about Jay Z.
And she’s so confident that her breathing doesn’t even change and her breath is gentle. That’s how calm she is.
[Outro: Beyoncé & Choir]
I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me
(I’ma stand by her, she gon’ stand by me)
I’ma stand by him, he gon’ stand by me, Jolene
The choir seems to have a lot of men singing in the background which is a nice addition because it shows him literally standing by her in the song. She not only says it but has him say it too. Lovely. I love it.
I know this song will probably be a huge hit because the way she speaks also speaks to Black people, which a lot of country music has lost. I love how Beyonce is putting Blackness back into country.
That’s it for now. Anyway. I’m Kevan Hudson. If you need a copywriter, I’m here. HMU.
