November 16th 2023.
Dolly Parton is an icon of the music world. From her humble beginnings growing up in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee to her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, Parton has made a name for herself as the queen of country music. Now, at 77, she is releasing her first ever rock album, Rockstar.
Parton credits the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for inspiring her to make the album, saying “If I’m ever going to do a rock album, I want to earn it.” The album includes nine of Parton’s original songs and 21 classic rock covers, with guest appearances from famous friends like Paul McCartney, Debbie Harry, Sir Elton John, and Miley Cyrus.
Parton's success didn't come overnight. She moved to Nashville in 1964, aged 18, with the hope of making it as a singer-songwriter. She went on to write over 3,000 songs, record more than 50 albums, and tour the world. She also built an impressive business empire, from dog clothing to her Dollywood theme park, worth between $350 and $440million.
When asked what made her decide to record a rock album, Parton said “I’d often thought I might want to do a rock album at some point. I’d done a few rock songs scattered here and there on my albums, and I’d done some covers of rock songs, making them kind of Country or bluegrassy. But when I got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, a place in my heart said ‘I hadn’t really earned that position.’ I thought ‘If I’m ever going to do a rock album, I want to earn it.’”
Parton has also had the chance to work with some of the biggest names in music. She recorded the Beatles' song Let It Be with Sir Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, an experience she described as "amazing". When asked what the most rock and roll thing she had ever done was, Parton told a funny story about streaking through Tom Jones' yard.
Parton is also a class act and a pleasure to spend time with. When asked about her thoughts on AI, she said “I don’t think, or, at least, I hope nobody can ever replicate me or what I do. AI is a scary thing. I’m sure it’s a good thing for scientists or medical things. But when it comes to trying to duplicate a human being and every little thing they are, it don’t seem right to me. It’s too much.”
Parton's lyrics have also become iconic. When asked about her favourite line, which she wrote for the song 9 To 5, “pour yourself a cup of ambition”, she said “That is one of my favourite lines I ever wrote in any of my songs. When I was working on 9 To 5 and came up with that line, I went ‘Hey, that’s so good.’ I had those lines about tumbling out of bed and stumbling to the kitchen. Then you pour yourself a cup of coffee. I said ‘Hey, ‘ambition’ rhymes with “kitchen” – sorta.’ When I came up with that, I loved it.”
Dolly Parton's music is timeless and has resonated with people of all ages for decades. Her new album Rockstar will be released November 17th, and you can rock out to it then.
Dolly Parton is a living legend. With decades of experience in the entertainment industry, Parton has won 11 Grammys, been inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame and, as of 2022, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and built a business empire worth between $350 and $440million.
Her latest album, Rockstar, marks a new chapter in her career, as she moves away from her signature country sound and into rock. The album features nine Parton originals and 21 classic rock covers, with guest appearances from Paul McCartney, Debbie Harry, Sir Elton John, and Miley Cyrus.
When asked about her decision to record a rock album, Parton said, “I’d often thought I might want to do a rock album at some point. I’d done a few rock songs scattered here and there on my albums, and I’d done some covers of rock songs, making them kind of Country or bluegrassy. But when I got inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, a place in my heart said ‘I hadn’t really earned that position.’ I thought ‘If I’m ever going to do a rock album, I want to earn it.’ I’m big on timing. It seemed the right thing to do at the right time. I’m proud I did it and I’m real proud of how it turned out.”
Parton is also proud of her collaboration with the Beatles on the song 'Let It Be', which features Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. When asked about the experience, Parton said, “I’ve always been a huge Beatles fan. When their song I Want To Hold Your Hand first came out, I thought it was the greatest thing I’d ever heard. I followed the Beatles from that day forward. Just to say that I got to sing on a record with Paul McCartney and have Paul and Ringo play on it was amazing to me.”
When asked if she had ever done anything particularly ‘rock and roll’, Parton admitted that the ‘most radical’ thing she had ever done was when she and a group of friends streaked through Tom Jones’ yard after having a few margaritas.
Parton also has a strong opinion on the advances of AI in the entertainment world, particularly in music. She said, “I don’t think, or, at least, I hope nobody can ever replicate me or what I do. AI is a scary thing. I’m sure it’s a good thing for scientists or medical things. But when it comes to trying to duplicate a human being and every little thing they are, it don’t seem right to me. It’s too much. Even the people coming up with AI are scared by it. So I’m watching this carefully. I’m sure they’ll be able to do certain things with me and other artists. It’s one of the reasons why we’re having the big strikes here with the Actors’ Guild and Writers’ Guild. Nobody wants to be duplicated. Everybody wants to feel the talent they have is theirs. I’m keeping my eye on AI.”
Parton's ambition and resilience is inspiring. She grew up ‘dirt poor’, yet was determined to make it as a singer-songwriter. When asked about her motivation, Parton said, “That is one of my favourite lines I ever wrote in any of my songs. When I was working on 9 To 5 and came up with that line, I went ‘Hey, that’s so good.’ I had those lines about tumbling out of bed and stumbling to the kitchen. Then you pour yourself a cup of coffee. I said ‘Hey, ‘ambition’ rhymes with “kitchen” – sorta.’ When I came up with that, I loved it.”
Rockstar, Parton's first ever rock album, will be released on November 17. It's clear that Dolly Parton has no intention of selling her rights to AI any time soon.
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