Dolly Parton
"A songwriter first"
In honor of Dolly Parton’s 76th birthday I thought it was worth revisiting some of my favorite songs of hers. This is a tough one because I did not grow up listening to country music. I was familiar with some of her ubiquitous crossover hits, such as “Here You Come Again” (1977) and “Islands in the Stream” (1982). Although I liked them—especially “Here You Come Again” and “9 to 5,” the theme song from the 1980 movie—I didn’t really get familiar with her music until I was in college and heard Trio, the album she recorded with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
In going back through her older songs, and watching interviews and live concerts, I was struck by what an eminently talented and consummate performer she is. More than that, she’s whip smart with a quick, sometimes sharp wit and a brilliant sense of humor. Despite her almost unassailable cheerfulness, she clearly understands darkness and heartbreak in a deep way, yet never appears to succumb to either.
She once said, “I actually take my songwriting more serious than anything I do. I would say I am a songwriter first.”
“The Bridge”
This song, from early in her career (she actually wrote it in high school), was first performed in 1967. Props also to Porter Wagoner, whose eponymous television show Parton appeared on for seven years. Showcasing a song about extramarital sex that leads to an unwanted pregnancy, abandonment, and in the end, suicide took guts.
“The Bridge” is an early example of Parton’s prowess as a storyteller. Melodic and raw, it’s a beautiful and tragic piece that ends in a way that makes my heart stop every time.
Interestingly, her first live performance of the song, which was the year before the studio album was released, has a different, more traditional ending that avoids the stark finality of the version that appears on the album.
“Jolene”
Not much needs to be said about this phenomenal song that was released in 1973. It’s ranked 217 on the Rolling Stone list of 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. It’s always intrigued me, though, that the man is almost irrelevant to the story. It’s the decency of the other woman, Jolene, that she’s appealing to.
I recently watched the documentary Dolly Parton: Here I Am (which prompted me to rewatch the 1980 film 9 to 5 starring Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin—who are also featured in the documentary), and I recommend both.
Bonus Track:
I think the movie 9 to 5 might have been my first brush with feminism. The typewriters!
Bonus Hilarity:
Tig Notaro: “My love for Dolly Parton comes from being a human being on this planet. If you don’t love Dolly Parton then you are not a real human being.”
Aww….this one hits close to home for me. I grew up on a farm, so was saturated with country music even though I didn’t (and still don’t) care for it much. The exception is what my siblings and I referred to as “old country”, which just meant what our parents listened to (🤣) - Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Pride, etc., and, of course, Dolly Parton. The fact we considered her “old country” and that she is still very relevant today speaks volumes about her. Plus, she’s just an amazing, amazing human! My favorite is also Jolene, and my mom’s was Coat of Many Colors so that has very special meaning, as well. Thanks for this!
Dolly’s Imagination Library program spans five countries and gifts over 1 million free books each month to children around the world. She uses her life experiences and influence to address important and critically necessary social and educational issues. She is a consummate human being. I have nothing but love and admiration for her. And she’s also a gifted songwriter and performer.