Country music legend Dolly Parton's signature hit song Jolene reached number one on the Apple Music: Top 100 USA streaming chart on Wednesday morning, just one day after her death on Tuesday.
Three of her other famous singles also soared into the top 10 on the chart, including 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream, and I Will Always Love You.
Jolene, the title track of her 1974 album, claimed the top spot almost 53 years after it first became a hit. Parton originally released the song in October 1973.
Born in Pittman Center, Tennessee, Parton established herself over a multi-decade career as one of country music's most celebrated singer-songwriters. Apple Music publishes its daily Top 100 USA chart to track the most played tracks across the United States.
The singer previously revealed that her signature hit was inspired by a stunning bank teller who had been partial to her spouse Carl Dean, who died in 2025 at the age of 83.
Parton shared the creative backstory of the classic track while performing in concert at the Glastonbury Festival in 2014, an account reported at the time by The Independent. The track has since been covered by numerous artists, including Beyoncé.
Addressing the Glastonbury crowd after performing the song, Parton said, "Now, some of you may or may not know that that song was loosely based on a little bit of truth."
She told the audience, "I wrote that years ago when my husband … was spending a little more time with Jolene than I thought he should be."
When festival spectators booed at the news of Dean's roving eye, Parton reassured her fans that she "put a stop to that" and "got rid of that redhead woman in a hurry," spurring cheers from the crowd.
Parton explained to the audience that channeling her emotions from the uncomfortable situation into a Grammy-winning song ultimately made her very wealthy.
Speaking to the crowd, Parton said, "I want you folks to know, though, that something good can come from anything. Had it not been for that woman I would never have written Jolene and I wouldn't have made all that money, so thank you, Jolene."
Origin of the song title
While the bank teller provided the creative backbone for the hit, Parton said the name Jolene itself came from a young fan who attended one of her concerts.
In an interview with NPR, Parton recalled, "One night, I was on stage, and there was this beautiful little girl - she was probably 8 years old at the time."
She continued, "And she had this beautiful red hair, this beautiful skin, these beautiful green eyes, and she was looking up at me, holding, you know, for an autograph."
Parton recalled complimenting the child: "I said, 'Well, you're the prettiest little thing I ever saw. So what is your name?' And she said, 'Jolene.'"
The name made an immediate impression on the singer. Parton added, "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.'"
Tributes and cause of death
News of Parton's passing was greeted with a flood of tributes from prominent figures across music, entertainment, and politics, including Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Sarah Jessica Parker, Pedro Pascal, Khloe Kardashian, and Hillary Clinton.
Her representatives officially confirmed the country superstar's death in a statement provided to People, sharing that the singer died following a "brief battle with cancer." The statement did not disclose what type of cancer it was.
The statement read: "Our beloved Dolly Parton spent her life and career bringing joy, laughter, hope and integrity into everything she touched."
Her representatives confirmed that the singer passed away at a major medical facility in Tennessee: "After bravely facing a brief battle with cancer, Dolly departed her Earthly life today at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center surrounded by loved ones."
The announcement also highlighted Parton's legacy of philanthropy, stating, "Her unmatched generosity reached the lives of countless people whom she would never meet, yet she was always there to offer a helping hand."
Highlighting her humanitarian work, the statement added, "Whether it be the hundreds of millions of books donated through her invaluable Imagination Library or funding research that helped create a lifesaving vaccine used around the world, Dolly’s unconditional love for all people was the guiding force for her lasting impact."
Health struggles and final public appearance
Her passing came after months of health woes that had fueled fan fears for her well-being.
The legendary singer's death was first confirmed on Tuesday in an Instagram video posted by her nephew Bryan Seaver, who also acted as her head of security.
According to TMZ, Parton died on Tuesday morning after being admitted on Friday to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville with autoimmune and kidney problems.
In the months preceding her death, Parton had pulled out of multiple public appearances, including a residency in Las Vegas and the opening of a new ride, NightFlight Expedition, at her Dollywood theme park.
The star had been scheduled to attend the ride's grand opening on August 14. Instead, a video recording of Parton addressing her fans was shared on a screen at the park, an appearance now regarded as her last public appearance.
