"Carlene" is a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Phil Vassar.

In the lyric, the narrator recalls a girl named Carlene with whom he went to high school.

She reveals that she now has a Ph.D. and is modeling for Vogue, while he is a songwriter who "finally got a couple [songs] out on country radio".

Country Standard Time critic George Hauenstein cited "Carlene" as a standout track on Vassar's debut album.

[2] Vince Ripol, reviewing the album for Allmusic, also described "Carlene" favorably, calling it "boisterous" and an "immediate hit", also saying that Vassar's songwriting style recalled Tom T. Hall's story songs.