The title refers to the biblical woman
Jezebel, a wicked, Baal-worshipping Phoenician princess who ruled Israel as queen to King Ahab. Jezebel's story is recounted in I Kings 16-20 and II Kings 9, books of the
Old Testament.
The French language version by
Édith Piaf, had lyrics by
Charles Aznavour, and was recorded by Piaf the same year as the Frankie Laine version. The Aznavour version was released in 1963.[6]
In 2011, English singer-songwriter
Anna Calvi recorded a cover which blends both Laine's English and Piaf's French iterations, released as a single.[7]