"Diane" is a song co-written and recorded by American
country
A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while ...
artist
Cam
Calmodulin (CaM) (an abbreviation for calcium-modulated protein) is a multifunctional intermediate calcium-binding messenger protein expressed in all eukaryotic cells. It is an intracellular target of the secondary messenger Ca2+, and the bin ...
, and is the lead single from her third album, ''
The Otherside''. The song was written with
Tyler Johnson and
Jeff Bhasker
Jeff Bhasker (born March 4, 1974) is an American record producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Los Angeles. He was awarded the Grammy Award for Producer of the Year in 2016 and nominated in 2013.
An accomplished producer, he ...
, who also produced the track. "Diane" is a
country pop
Country pop (also known as pop country or urban cowboy) is a fusion genre of country music and pop music that was developed by members of the country genre out of a desire to reach a larger, mainstream audience. Country pop music blends genres ...
song that inverts the perspective on
Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album d ...
's country classic "
Jolene".
Background and composition
"Diane" is a hard-charging, empowering
country pop
Country pop (also known as pop country or urban cowboy) is a fusion genre of country music and pop music that was developed by members of the country genre out of a desire to reach a larger, mainstream audience. Country pop music blends genres ...
track in which Cam sings about an affair to an unsuspecting wife once she realizes the man she was seeing is married.
Cam noted to ''
Rolling Stone Country
Rolling is a type of motion that combines rotation (commonly, of an axially symmetric object) and translation of that object with respect to a surface (either one or the other moves), such that, if ideal conditions exist, the two are in contact ...
'' that the song is her "response to Dolly Parton's 'Jolene.' It's the apology so many spouses deserve, but never get. The other woman is coming forward to break the news to the wife about an affair, respecting her enough to have that hard conversation, once she realized he was married. Because everyone should be able to decide their own path in life, based on the truth. Women especially should do this for each other, since our self-worth can still be so wrapped up in our partners. And in true country fashion, I've set the whole raw story to upbeat music, so you can dance while you process it all."
In April 2018, "Diane" was added to the
BBC Radio 2 A-list.
Live performances
Cam promoted "Diane" with several live performances including on ''
Good Morning America'',
''
The Late Late Show with James Corden
''The Late Late Show with James Corden'' (also known as ''Late Late'') is an American late-night talk show on CBS. It is the fourth and current iteration of '' The Late Late Show''. Airing in the U.S. from Monday to Friday nights at 12:37:28a ...
'', and as a duet with a contestant on the
sixteenth season of ''
American Idol
''American Idol'' is an American singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It aired on Fox from June 11, 2002, to Ap ...
''. On her ''Good Morning America'' appearance, she was surprised with a pre-recorded message from Dolly Parton praising her performance.
Music video
The music video for "Diane," which was shot in
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
and directed by Daniel Carberry, premiered on February 9, 2018. In it, Cam is shown playing the role of 'the other woman' and confronting the wife of the man who she cheated with. Scenes of her performing on stage in a nightclub are interspersed between the storyline.
Charts
References
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2017 songs
2017 singles
Cam (singer) songs
Arista Nashville singles
Song recordings produced by Jeff Bhasker
Songs written by Tyler Johnson (musician)
Songs written by Cam (singer)