Diane (Cam song)

"Diane" is a song co-written and recorded by American country artist Cam, and is the lead single from her third album, The Otherside. The song was written with Tyler Johnson and Jeff Bhasker, who also produced the track. "Diane" is a country pop song that inverts the perspective on Dolly Parton's country classic "Jolene".^[1][2]

"Diane"
Single by Cam
from the album The Otherside
Released	December 4, 2017 (2017-12-04)
Recorded	2017
Genre	Country pop
Length	3:32
Label	Arista Nashville
Songwriter(s)	Camaron Ochs Tyler Johnson Jeff Bhasker
Producer(s)	Johnson Bhasker
Cam singles chronology
"Mayday" (2016) "Diane" (2017) "Classic" (2020)

Background and composition

"Diane" is a hard-charging, empowering country pop 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 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."^[1]

In April 2018, "Diane" was added to the BBC Radio 2 A-list.^[3]

Live performances

Cam promoted "Diane" with several live performances including on Good Morning America,^[4] The Late Late Show with James Corden,^[5] and as a duet with a contestant on the sixteenth season of American Idol.^[6] On her Good Morning America appearance, she was surprised with a pre-recorded message from Dolly Parton praising her performance.^[4]

Music video

The music video for "Diane," which was shot in Los Angeles, California and directed by Daniel Carberry, premiered on February 9, 2018. In it, Cam is shown playing the role of 'the other woman' and alerting the wife of the man who she unknowingly cheated with. Scenes of her performing on stage in a nightclub are interspersed between the storyline.^[7]

Charts

Chart (2017–18)	Peak position
Canada Country (Billboard)[8]	49
Scotland (OCC)[9]	30
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[10]	55
US Country Airplay (Billboard)[11]	43
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[12]	43

References

1. Betts, Stephen L (October 27, 2017). "Hear Cam's "Jolene"-Inspired New Song "Diane"". Rolling Stone Country. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
2. Hollabaugh, Lorrie (October 27, 2017). "Cam Releases New Single 'Diane' From Sophomore Project Today". Music Row. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
3. @camcountry (26 April 2018). "UK friends! BBC Radio 2 has added Diane to the A-list!! Can you bloody believe it 😱🇬🇧💃🏼 @BBCRadio2 #DIANE" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
4. Lauren Matthews (April 4, 2018). "Watch Dolly Parton Surprise Country Singer Cam On 'Good Morning America'". Country Living. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
5. Mackenzie Cummings-Grady (April 17, 2018). "Cam Gives Mesmerizing Performance of 'Diane' on 'The Late Late Show'". Billboard.com. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
6. Angela Stefano (April 17, 2018). "Cam Duets with 'American Idol' Contestants on 'Diane', 'Burning House'". The Boot. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
7. Stephen L. Betts (February 9, 2018). "Watch Cam Make Peace With 'Diane' in Emotional New Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 24, 2018.
8. "Cam Chart History (Canada Country)". Billboard. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
9. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
10. "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
11. "Cam Chart History (Country Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
12. "Cam Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 24, 2018.