Top 10 Best Dolly Parton Songs

Dolly Parton’s forty-ninth album, “Rockstar,” wasn’t the first time this country music legend adapted other forms of music for crossover success, but it may be among the most unique. That’s because it featured, filtered among many covers of classic rock anthems, originals like “Bygones.” Dolly’s partner on this track is none other than Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, an insanely talented singer in his own right. This musical marriage works well within the context of “Bygones,” as Halford’s naturally theatrical voice melds with Parton’s smooth delivery in such a fascinating way. It may seem strange for the country faithful to hear her vocals in the context of such a heavy song, but we think it absolutely rocks.

Parton may not have written this single from her “Dolly, Dolly, Dolly” album, but she had some pretty formidable assistance from the person who did: disco queen Donna Summer. “Starting Over Again” doesn’t sound like Summer’s musical pedigree, however, which helps make it feel like it belongs to Parton instead. The lyrics to “Starting Over Again” are melancholic, told from the perspective of a married couple going their separate ways after many years together. Dolly lends much warmth and humanity to the song, while the slow, ballad arrangements underline the sadness behind “Starting Over Again” and its unique point-of-view.

“Baby I’m Burnin’” is taken from Dolly’s 1978 album, “Heartbreaker,” and it shows. The song feels tailor-made to the dance-centric landscape of 1970s pop radio, a crossover hit for Dolly that proved she could adapt to the times. Parton’s country roots always shine through everything she does, and this is also true with “Baby I’m Burnin’.” Sure, the arrangements may feel “More Than Their Share” but Parton’s sweet vocals are equal parts melodic and playful. This combination of musical heart and an openness to trying new things makes “Baby I’m Burnin’” feel like a great way for Dolly to stretch her creative legs.

Songwriting can be a magical process, particularly during a collaboration. Dolly worked with songwriting legends Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil for “Here You Come Again” in 1977. This was an attempt to broaden the Parton brand for a pop audience, although Dolly has been quoted as demanding steel guitar be included on the tune, in order to anchor it to her country roots. This was a smart move on her part, since this addition does exactly that: making “Here You Come Again” a light and loose pop ballad with that classic country twang.

Dolly Parton’s “Little Sparrow” album from 2001 signified another form of branching out for the country legend, but this time it wasn’t pop, rock or disco that was on the menu, but tradition. Folk, bluegrass, gospel and blues all permeated this wonderful album, but the title track is truly on another level. The song’s unaccompanied intro highlights just how powerful and dynamic Dolly’s face still was in the new millennium, while the backing instrumentation is gorgeously evocative. The lyrical content is equally bittersweet, a feminist anthem that celebrates strength, mourns weakness, and calls to its audience to listen deeply and reflect.

The confessional and often cinematic nature of country music is an aspect that brings listeners coming back again and again to rediscover their favorite songs. “The Bargain Store” is classic country through and through, a story about a woman’s emotional state after some negative experiences in her romantic life. It’s the arrangements here that really make “The Bargain Store” such a striking song, from the almost-rock hook of the guitar, to the backing vocals and subtle melodic choices behind the chorus. It’s a little quirky, super memorable and a classic cut from one of Dolly Parton’s most unique albums. And who doesn’t love a giant metaphor?

Dolly Parton has made a number of memorable movie appearances over the years, but it’s perhaps 1980’s “9 to 5” that serves as her most high-profile co-starring role. Parton sang the title song, and her album “9 to 5 and Odd Jobs” was something of a companion piece to her contributions to that film’s soundtrack. “9 to 5” just knows that it has a million dollar chorus, so it wastes no time in getting there. Dolly sings her heart out with charm and charisma, and a passion that makes you feel like she’s really lived the day job struggle. The arrangements feel more poppy than Parton’s older material and “9 to 5” is still performed live for her legions of admirers all around the world.

Some of the best Dolly Parton songs are those that reflect upon her youth, and her upbringing. “Coat of Many Colors” is absolutely one of these tunes, a classic, fan-favorite Dolly song that possesses so much emotional resonance. There are Biblical themes that can be inferred, sure, but also about familial love and pride. The chorus is a tear-jerking combination of heart-breaking honesty and lyrical poignancy; the sort of song that makes country fans hold this music closer to their hearts. Meanwhile, it serves as a great way for those not familiar with the genre to be exposed to one of its all-time greats.

If one is seeking out honest-to-goodness proof concerning Dolly Parton’s enviable songwriting process, let’s just admire the fact that “Jolene” was apparently composed by the singer in a single day. Many artists would work weeks, months or even years to acquire a song that possesses the same emotional resonance as “Jolene,” but here Dolly is with her God-given gift of song. To be fair, Chip Young’s guitar work also serves as some formidable glue to hold “Jolene” all together, but elsewhere it’s the combination of Dolly’s soaring vocals and those iconic lyrics that makes this song just about perfect.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Just Because I’m a Woman” , “Just Because I’m a Woman”(1968)
Dolly Rebukes a Double Standard

“I Know You By Heart”, “Rainbow” (1987)
Dolly & Smokey in the Eighties

“Evening Shade”, “My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy” (1969)
Parton Executes a Murder Ballad

“The River Unbroken”, “Rainbow” (1987)
A Smooth & Slinky Single

A good song is a good song, regardless of genre. And, with 1974’s “I Will Always Love You,” Dolly Parton composed one that belongs on the medium’s proverbial Mount Rushmore. If you can listen to that achingly beautiful chorus and not shed a tear, then you are truly stronger than us, because this one gets us every time. “I Will Always Love You” certainly gained a new lease on life when it was covered by another voice of her generation, Whitney Houston, but Parton’s original is something truly special. It’s a masterpiece of simplicity and honesty that transcends songwriting to become what just may be the National Anthem of Country Music.

What’s your favorite Dolly Parton song? Let us know in the comments!