Play it Again, Sam #29b - "Jolene"
@teamfreak16 (43567)
Denver, Colorado
May 10, 2018 8:32am CST
Play it Again, Sam. Or should I say, Play it Again, Andrew! We are at #29b, the "cover" portion of today's "Play it Again, Sam. Making their second appearance in this music series, The Sisters of Mercy, with their cover of Dolly Parton's classic, "Jolene."
From Leeds, England, goth legends The Sisters of Mercy (although leader/vocalist Andrew Eldritch hates the "goth" tag) began their existence as a singles band, often covering songs either in concert, or for use as B-Sides. "Jolene" was a main staple of their early live performances.
It's not an easy cover to find. The version that I've linked to is from a 1983 BBC Sessions recording, which I've never actually seen with my own eyes. I did own it on a German bootleg CD that I bought in a train station in Frankfurt, but good luck finding that. It's also available on a rare 7" bootleg, along with their song "No Time to Cry," on a Russian Flexi Disc, a Polish Art Postcard Flexi Disc, and a Split Landscape Postcard Flexi Disc. Wikipedia is no help, listing it as part of a live bootleg called Amphetamine-Boeblingen, which I've also never seen before. SOMEBODY has it, though, because I've heard it in more than one goth club.
"Jolene" has been covered numerous times, notably by The White Stripes, Pentatonix (with Dolly Parton,) Olivia Newton-John, Miley Cyrus, Strawberry Switchblade, Me First and the Gimme Gimme Gimme's, Natalie Merchant, Reba McEntire, and Alison Krauss.
Like Dolly said, of all the songs she has written, "Jolene" has been covered the most. Not bad for a ditty about a pretty bank teller!
(Info verified by Wikipedia)
6 people like this
5 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
10 May 18
The Sisters of who? Never heard of them. Surprised you found this one. I mean it's not like goth is your thing.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
10 May 18
You would think that they are one of my favorite bands or something. 

4 people like this

@FourWalls (86575)
• United States
10 May 18
@teamfreak16 — yep, never stops me, does it? 
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
10 May 18
I should just do a Sisters countdown and get it over with. But I'd still find a way to use them!

1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
10 May 18
@FourWalls - As well it shouldn't
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
11 May 18
I had no idea that was her most covered song.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43567)
• Denver, Colorado
17 May 18
I honestly didn't either. But it makes sense if you think about it.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
10 May 18
This is just weird. LOL. I will have to stick to Dolly.
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