Dolly Parton: A Retrospective (1946-2026)

Dolly Parton A Retrospective: 1946-2026

Overview: Country singer/songwriter born on 1/19/1946 in Sevier County, Tennessee. She died 8/25/2026. She has charted more than 100 times on the country chart, making her the top female country artist of all time. One of the few people to receive Oscar, Grammy Tony, and Emmy nominations. By age 10, she was performing on local radio and television programs. She recorded her first single at age 13. Moved to Nashville the day after her high school graduation in 1964. Started out co-writing songs with her uncle, Bill Owens. Signed with Monument Records in 1965. Replaced Norma Jean on The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967; she and Wagoner regularly worked as a duo from 1967-76 while also working solo. Joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1969. Starred in the movies 9 to 5, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias, Rhinestone, and Straight Talk. Whitney Houston’s cover of “I Will Always Love You” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era 1954-1999. Links DMDB encyclopedia entry for Dolly Parton Dave’s Music Database: Dolly Parton: Top 100 Songs DollyParton.com (official site) Facebook Wikipedia

Awards

Compilations 70 Best of (covers 1967-70, released 1970) 75 Best of (covers 1971-75, released 1975) GH Greatest Hits (covers 1977-82, released 1982) P Playlist: The Very Best of (covers 1968-83, released 2008) B3 Best of, Vol. 3 (covers 1982-86, released 1987) U Ultimate (covers 1970-89, released 2003) VB Very Best of (covers 1967-93, released 2007) IW I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (covers 1989-95, released 1996) E The Essential (covers 1967-2001, released 2005) DR Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (covers 1971-2020, released 2022) Spotify Playlist Here’s my Dolly Parton: 1966-2024 playlist at Spotify which features all songs in chronological order from the above compilations as well as some personal selections. Under each album snapshot, songs featured on the anthologies are noted. If the song charted, the date of the song’s release or first chart appearance and its chart peaks are noted in parentheses. Click for codes to charts.

Top 100 Songs

Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. DMDB Top 1%: 1. 9 to 5 (1980) #1 US,CW,AC GH, P, U, VB, E, DR 2. Islands in the Stream (w/ KR, 1983) #1 US,CW,AC P, U, VB, E, DR 3. Jolene (1973) #1 CW 75, P, U, VB, E, DR DMDB Top 2%: 4. I Will Always Love You (1974) #1 CW 75, P, U, VB, E, DR DMDB Top 5%: 5. Here You Come Again (1977) #1 CW GH, P, U, VB, E, DR 6. Coat of Many Colors (1971) 75, P, U, VB, E, DR DMDB Top 10%: 7. I Will Always Love You (rerecording, 1982) #1 CW GH 8. Hard Candy Christmas (1982) GH 9. Winter Wonderland/Sleigh Ride (1984) DMDB Top 20%: 10. The House of the Rising Sun (1980) 11. Baby It’s Cold Outside (w/ Rod Stewart, 2004) 12. How Great Thou Art (1970) 70 13. Two Doors Down (1977) GH, E, DR 14. But You Know I Love You (1980) #1 CW GH, U, E 15. I Will Always Love You (w/ Vince Gill, 1995) IW Beyond the DMDB Top 20%: 16. You’re The Only One (1979) #1 CW U, E 17. Save the Last Dance for Me (1983) B3, E 18. Romeo (w/ Billy Ray Cyrus, Tanya Tucker, Kathy Mattea, & Mary Chapin Carpenter, 1993) VB, IW 19. To Know Him Is to Love Him (w/ Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris, 1987) #1 CW U, VB, E 20. Heartbreaker (1978) #1 CW U, E, DR 21. Baby I’m Burnin’ (1978) VB, DR 22. In the Ghetto (1969) 70 23. Let It Be (with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, & Mick Fleetwood, 2023) 24. Starting Over Again (1980) #1 CW U, E 25. The Seeker (1975) E, DR 26. Love Is Like a Butterfly (1974) #1 CW 75, P, U, VB, E, DR 27. The Bargain Store (1975) #1 CW 75, P, U, VB, E, DR 28. Great Balls of Fire (1979) 29. Don’t Call It Love (1985) B3 30. Real Love (w/ KR, 1985) #1 CW B3, DR 31. Love Is Strange (w/ KR, 1990) 32. Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That (1989) #1 CW U, VB, IW, E, DR 33. We Are the Champions/We Will Rock You (2023) 34. Yellow Roses (1989) #1 CW IW 35. Joshua (1970) #1 CW P, U, E 36. Light of a Clear Blue Morning (1977) E 37. The Greatest Gift of All (w/ KR, 1984) 38. Tennessee Homesick Blues (1984) #1 CW B3, U, VB, E, DR 39. Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You (1980) #1 CW GH, U, VB, E 40. Downtown (1984) 41. It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right (1977) #1 CW GH, U, E, DR 42. Everything’s Beautiful in Its Own Way (w/ Willie Nelson, 1982) VB 43. Sweet Summer Lovin’ (1979) 44. My Tennessee Mountain Home (1973) 75, P, VB, E, DR 45. Dumb Blonde (1967) VB, E 46. Just Because I’m a Woman (1968) 70, E 47. Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8) (1970) 70, E 48. Touch Your Woman (1972) 75, P, E 49. Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (w/ PW, 1974) #1 CW U, E 50. The Last Thing on My Mind (w/ PW, 1967) 51. Potential New Boyfriend (1983) B3, VB 52. I Really Got the Feeling (1978) #1 CW U, E 53. When I Get Where I’m Going (w/ Brad Paisley, 2005) #1 CW 54. Silver Threads and Golden Needles (with Tammy Wynette & Loretta Lynn, 1993) VB, DR 55. Rockin’ Years (w/ Ricky Van Shelton, 1991) #1 CW IW, E 56. My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (1969) 70, E 57. In the Good Old Days When Times Were Bad (1968) 70, P 58. The River Unbroken (1987) 59. Traveling Man (1971) 75 60. Think About Love (1985) #1 CW B3 61. Stairway to Heaven (2002) 62. Heartbreak Express (1982) GH, E 63. Daddy, Come and Get Me (1970) 70 64. Telling Me Lies (w/ Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris, 1987) 65. Tyrant (with Beyoncé, 2024) 66. All I Can Do (1976) E 67. We Used To (1975) E 68. Jolene (w/ Mindy Smith, 2004) 69. Time for Me to Fly (1989) 70. Eagle When She Flies (1991) IW (1991) 71. Single Women (1982) E 72. Imagine (2005) 73. Something Fishy (1967) 74. Straight Talk (1992) 75. God Won’t Get You (1984) E 76. Southern Accents (2024) 77. Silver and Gold (1991) IW 78. We’ll Get Ahead Someday (w/ PW, 1968) 79. Lost Forever in Your Kiss (w/ PW, 1972) 80. Tie Our Love in a Double Knot (1985) B3 81. Shine (2001) E 82. Just Someone I Used to Know (w/ PW, 1969) 83. Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark (w/ PW, 1968) 84. Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man (w/ PW, 1970) 85. Holdin’ on to Nothin’ (w/ PW, 1968) 86. He’s Alive (1989) IW 87. White Limozeen (1989) IW 88. Comin’ for to Carry Me Home (1971) 89. My Blue Tears (1971) 90. Yours Love (w/ PW, 1969) 91. Magic Man (with Ann Wilson & Howard Leese, 2023) 92. Puppy Love (1959) 93. Burning the Midnight Oil (w/ PW, 1971) 94. Is Forever Longer Than Always (w/ PW, 1976) 95. Tomorrow Is Forever (w/ PW, 1970) 96. Better Move It on Home (w/ PW, 1971) 97. If Teardrops Were Pennies (w/ PW, 1973) 98. Daddy (1969) 99. Together Always (w/ PW, 1972) 100. Say Forever You’ll Be Mine (w/ PW, 1975)

Dumb Blonde Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Curly Putman Released: Hello, I’m Dolly (1967), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 1/21/1967 Peak: 24 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 14.11 streaming About the Song: While it hasn’t worked its way into the elite songs of Dolly Parton, it still holds a significant spot in her history as her first song to reach the country charts.

Just Because I’m a Woman Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Recorded: 12/18/1967 Released: Just Because I’m a Woman (1968), The Best of (compilation: 1967-70, released 1970), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 6/29/1968 Peak: 17 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 10.84 streaming About the Song: “On her 1967 debut, Dolly declared herself nobody’s fool with Curly Putman’s playful ‘Dumb Blonde.’ Here, she’s more somber, coming clean about her own shortcomings while castigating sexist double standards, prefacing her confessions with a blistering admonition: ‘Let me tell you this so we’ll both know where we stand.’ Ouch.” RS-92

In the Good Old Days When Times Were Bad Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Recorded: 9/9/1968 Released: In the Good Old Days When Times Were Bad (1968), The Best of (compilation: 1967-70, released 1970), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008) First Charted: 11/16/1968 Peak: 25 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.30 streaming About the Song: “A top 30 single and the title cut from her third LP, this marked the first time on record that the songwriter addressed her hardscrabble Smoky Mountain childhood head-on. The colorful details are laced with wisdom and affection, traits deeply embedded in her Appalachian DNA.” RS-89

In the Ghetto Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Mac Davis Recorded: 6/2/1969 Released: My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (1969), The Best of (compilation: 1967-70, released 1970) First Charted: 7/26/1969 Peak: 50 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 9.84 streaming About the Song: Just months after Elvis recorded this song from Mac Davis and took it to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, Dolly offered up her take on the song.

My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Recorded: 5/20/1969 Released: My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (1969), The Best of (compilation: 1967-70, released 1970), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 10/18/1969 Peak: 45 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 2.06 streaming About the Song: “A New Orleans prostitute’s broken life is further anguished by heartache over the man she left back home. Perhaps the most surprising element of the LP that shares the mournful song’s title is the appearance of Parton’s famously reticent husband, Carl Dean, in the background of the cover photo.” RS-89

Gypsy, Joe and Me Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Recorded: 5/21/1969 Released: My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (1969), The Best of (compilation: 1967-70, released 1970) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.56 streaming

Daddy Come and Get Me Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton, Dorothy Jo Hope Recorded: 10/31/1969 Released: The Fairest of Them All (1970), The Best of (compilation: 1967-70, released 1970) First Charted: 1/31/1970 Peak: 40 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.48 streaming

Down from Dover Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Recorded: 9/4/1969 Released: The Fairest of Them All (1970), The Best of (compilation: 1967-70, released 1970) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.71 streaming About the Song: “Its title was inspired by a pass through the tiny town of Dover, Tennessee, but this unsettling story of an unwed mother spurned both by her disapproving family and her baby’s father looms large in Dolly’s impressive catalog. Controversial for its time, the song still packs a devastating emotional wallop.” RS-91

Just the Way I Am Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Recorded: 10/31/1969 Released: The Fairest of Them All (1970), The Best of (compilation: 1967-70, released 1970) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.35 streaming

Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8) Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Jimmie Rodgers, George Vaughan Recorded: 5/4/1970 at RCA Studio B in Nashville Released: The Best of (compilation: 1967-70, released 1970), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 7/4/1970 Peak: 3 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 6.23 streaming About the Song: Jimmie Rodgers recorded this classic country song in 1930. Dolly recorded the song especially for her first Best of compilation in 1970 and it became her first top-10 country hit.

How Great Thou Art Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Stuart K. Hine Recorded: 5/12/1970 Released: The Best of (compilation: 1967-70, released 1970) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.02 streaming About the Song: Dolly recorded this classic hymn, which was written in 1885, for her 1970 Best of compilation.

Best of (compilation) Dolly Parton

Recorded: 1967-1970 Released: November 9, 1970 Peak: 12 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 0.50 US Genre: country Rating: 2.831 out of 5.00 (average of 14 ratings)

Tracks: (1) Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8) (2) Down from Dover (3) My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (4) In the Good Old Days When Times Were Bad (5) Gypsy, Joe and Me (6) In the Ghetto (7) Just Because I’m a Woman (8) Daddy Come and Get Me (9) How Great Thou Art (10) Just the Way I Am Total Running Time: 30:52 About the Album: Dolly Parton released five studio albums from 1967 to 1970 and while she’d reached the top 10 seven times on the country charts with Porter Wagoner, she hadn’t gone above #17 on the country charts with a solo recording. She did, however, achieve her first top-10 solo hit with her cover of “Mule Skinner Blues,” which was first featured on this compilation. That means this collection doesn’t exactly gather vital Dolly songs, although it gives a respectable snapshot of her early years, although it does skip over her debut album Hello, I’m Dolly.

Joshua Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Joshua (1971), ), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 12/12/1970 Peak: 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 6.84 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song This song isn’t among most Dolly’s most celebrated works, but it deserves respect as her first #1 on the country charts – a feat she would go on to accomplish 24 more times.

Coat of Many Colors Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Coat of Many Colors (1971), The Best of (compilation: 1971-75, released 1975), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007),, The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 10/30/1971 Peak: 4 CW, 20 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 1.0 radio, -- video, 81.36 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song “Between this song, a made-for-TV film, a children’s book, and memorable covers of the original, a patchwork coat made by Parton’s mother inadvertently launched a multimedia enterprise. However, nothing tops witnessing Parton performing this heart-stirring tale live on stage, recalling the experience of that crestfallen little girl as if the wounds from her classmates’ taunts are still fresh. Had it been the only song she’d ever written, the expression of overwhelming pride and crushing anguish penned on the back of a dry-cleaning receipt for one of Porter Wagoner’s suits would have secured Parton’s indelible legacy.” RS-92

Traveling Man Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Coat of Many Colors (1971), The Best of (compilation: 1971-75, released 1975) First Charted: 5/19/1973 Peak: 20 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.30 streaming

Touch Your Woman Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Touch Your Woman (1972), The Best of (compilation: 1971-75, released 1975), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 3/11/1972 Peak: 6 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.85 streaming About the Song: “Never one to shy away from expressions of vulnerability or the need for intimacy, Dolly lays both bare in the Grammy-nominated title track of her ninth album. As tender a plea as it is, it’s also refreshing and soulful. A contemporaneous cover done by R&B singer Margie Joseph emphasized that point.” RS-89

Mission Chapel Memories Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner Released: Touch Your Woman (1972), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, -- streaming

Lonely Comin’ Down Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Porter Wagoner Released: My Favorite Songwriter, Porter Wagoner (1972), The Best of (compilation: 1971-75, released 1975), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 4.84 streaming

When I Sing for Him Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Porter Wagoner Released: My Favorite Songwriter, Porter Wagoner (1972), The Best of (compilation: 1971-75, released 1975) Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.11 streaming

My Tennessee Mountain Home Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: My Tennessee Mountain Home (1973), The Best of (compilation: 1971-75, released 1975), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 1/6/1973 Peak: 15 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 22.65 streaming

Jolene Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Jolene (1974), The Best of (compilation: 1971-75, released 1975), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 11/3/1973 Peak: 16 BB, 80 CB, 44 AC, 11 CW, 7 UK, 84 CN, 99 AU, 3 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 1.20 UK, 3.41 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 2.0 radio, 109.70 video, 998.69 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song Dolly Parton’s first #1 song on the country charts was the solo effort “Joshua” in 1970. She would get back to the top again with another “name” song in 1974 with “Jolene.” Parton has said it is her most covered song. WK She would go on to top the country charts 25 times. “Jolene” was Parton’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. She said, “I’m glad to be getting some pop action…but I’m country and always will be.” TR It only got to #60, but she had more pop success in her future with the #3 song “Here You Come Again” and the #1 songs “9 to 5” and “Islands in the Stream,” a duet with Kenny Rogers. Of course, Whitney Houston’s cover of Parton’s song “I Will Always Love You” would become one of the biggest #1 songs in chart history in 1992. There was a real-life Jolene, although she was a pre-teen fan and not “a husband-stealing beauty” TR like the Jolene in the song. There are conflicting stories about the girl. In one version, the girl gave Dolly a photo of herself in a Girl Scout uniform with “Love, Jolene” written on the back. Dolly had never heard the name before and it kept coming back to her. TR In another account, Dolly said the fan approached her for an autograph. Parton said, “she had this beautiful red hair, this beautiful skin, these beautiful green eyes…I said, ‘Well you’re the prettiest little thing I ever saw. So what is your name?’” SF When she said, “Jolene,” Parton responded, “That is pretty. That sounds like a song. I’m going to write a song about that.” SF She did. While she used the name of the fan, she wrote the song about another real-life woman. Soon after Dolly and her husband, Carl Dean, were married, a red-headed clerk at the local bank flirted with him. WK Dolly dreamed up the song lyric, asking her not to take her man just because she can.

I Will Always Love You Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: 3/14/1974 (single), The Best of (compilation: 1971-75, released 1975), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022); 1982 rerecording: The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (soundtrack, 1982), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982); 1995 version with Vince Gill: Something Special (1995), I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (compilation: 1989-95, released 1996) First Charted: 4/6/1974, re-recording: 7/31/1982, with Vince Gill: 9/16/1995 Peak: 1974 version: 27 BB, 17 AC, 11 CW, 7 CN, 72 AU, 7 DF; 1982: 53 BB, 41 CB, 17 AC, 11 CW; 1995: 15 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 1974 version: 1.0 US, 0.20 UK, 1.24 world (US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): Combined versions: 10.0 radio, 56.38 video, 195.29 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song “If anyone was born a songwriter, it was Dolly Parton.” CL Her “God-given gifts were never better displayed than when she wrote ‘I Will Always Love You,’” CL her most successful song. “Although oddly popular at weddings these days (even if ‘bittersweet memories’ should be an obvious tip-off that it might be otherwise), decades ago, this unfeigned expression of gratitude was simply a plea for independence directed at duet partner Porter Wagoner.” RS-92 It “was a thank you for the break Wagoner had given her. It was also her good-bye” CL as she knew she had to move on by herself. The song reached #1 in 1974 but it’s run wasn’t over yet. She re-recorded the song in 1982 for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, a movie which she starred in, and it went to #1 again. The song reached the country charts for a third time in 1995 when she recorded a duet version with Vince Gill. Of course, it was Whitney Houston’s “slow-building, jaw-dropping take” RS-92 in 1992 for The Bodyguard that made the song one of the most iconic in history. Read more about Whitney’s version here.

Please Don’t Stop Loving Me Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner Released: Porter ‘n’ Dolly (1974), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 8/3/1974 Peak: 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 3.89 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song The duo of Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton reached the country charts 24 times from 1967 to 1980. 14 of those went to the top ten, of which this one was the only one to reach #1.

Love Is Like a Butterfly Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Love Is Like a Butterfly (1974), The Best of (compilation: 1971-75, released 1975), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 8/31/1974 Peak: 38 AC, 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 20.38 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song “The opening theme for both her syndicated 1970s series and a classic British sitcom, this delicately conveys, with simple yet poetic lyrics, the beauty of a love that’s strong, fragile, and ‘soft and gentle as a sigh.’ Parton would go on to incorporate the color-splashed butterfly into the Dollywood logo.” RS-87-8

The Bargain Store Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: The Bargain Store (1975), The Best of (compilation: 1971-75, released 1975), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 1/25/1975 Peak: 35 AC, 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 13.95 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song “’Every man I know thinks its dirty,’ Parton says in Songteller of the lyrics to this misunderstood, underappreciated title cut from her 15th solo LP. Rather, these are the stark, metaphorical reflections of a woman whose bruised self-esteem may exhibit some damage but whose well-worn heart is open to redemption.” RS-91

Best of (compilation) Dolly Parton

Recorded: 1971-1975 Released: July 14, 1975 Peak: 5 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 0.50 US Genre: country Rating: 3.448 out of 5.00 (average of 15 ratings)

Tracks: (1) Jolene (2) Traveling Man (3) Lonely Comin’ Down (4) The Bargain Store (5) Touch Your Woman (6) I Will Always Love You (7) Love Is Like a Butterfly (8) Coat of Many Colors (9) My Tennessee Mountain Home (10) When I Sing for Him About the Album: This collection picks up where Dolly’s 1970 Best of compilation left off. This one, however, captures a much more successful Dolly, featuring four #1 country songs and two more top tens.

The Seeker Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Dolly (1975), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 6/7/1975 Peak: 91 CB, 89 HR, 2 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 1.0 radio, -- video, 4.71 streaming About the Song: “Parton’s most successful gospel hit, this No. 2 country single nevertheless makes no overt reference to a specific deity. Instead, Parton unconsciously penned a rousing, ecumenical anthem for folks of any – or no – particular faith. With unyielding belief and pure humanity, she simply confesses her own need for spiritual refreshment.” RS-88

We Used To Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Dolly (1975), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 9/27/1975 Peak: 9 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 3.0 streaming About the Song: “Dropping the needle on her 1975 Dolly LP, surprised rock fans (among them Parton’s husband) heard a brief ‘Stairway to Heaven’ homage in the acoustic guitar riff on the album’s opening track. Zeppelin tribute aside, ‘We Used To’ is one of Parton’s most sincere heartbreak songs, sparking not one shred of gut-wrenching emotion.” RS-86

All I Can Do Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: All I Can Do (1976), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 7/31/1976 Peak: 3 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.71 streaming About the Song: “One of Parton’s most ebullient and irresistible love songs, this title cut from her Grammy-nominated album would also be covered at the time by singer-actress Mary Kay Place, famed for her portrayal of perpetually cheerful country singer Loretta Haggers on the 1970s soap opera spoof Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.” RS-91

Light of a Clear Blue Morning Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: New Harvest…First Gathering (1977), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 4/9/1977 Peak: 87 BB, 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 9.75 streaming About the Song: “Referring to it as ‘my song of deliverance,’ Parton has recalled walking out of former singing partner Porter Wagoner’s office and driving home in a rainstorm. As the clouds parted, giving way to sunlight, the song was born, as was a new-era Dolly – luminous, independent, and on the verge of superstardom. By the time she reworked the lyrics for the soundtrack of her 1992 film Straight Talk, Parton was one of the world’s most recognizable personalities, an empowered woman who had nothing to prove but still had plenty of dreams to bring to fruition.” RS-92

Applejack Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: New Harvest…First Gathering (1977), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 12.51 streaming About the Song: “On the verge of pop stardom, Dolly proved that she was not abandoning her country storytelling roots. Among those joining her dad as backing vocalists on this delightful sing-along: Hall of Fame legends Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins, Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb, and Kitty Wells.” RS-88

Here You Come Again Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil Released: Here You Come Again (1977), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 10/8/1977 Peak: 3 BB, 7 CB, 8 GR, 6 HR, 6 RR, 2 AC, 15 CW, 75 UK, 7 CN, 10 AU, 20 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 1.0 US Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 3.0 radio, -- video, 167.67 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song “Once she’d achieved solo success, Dolly eyed crossover stardom. On January 19, 1977, her 31st birthday, she started on that path by charming and disarming Tonight Show host Johnny Carson in her debut appearance. Later that year, this Barry Mann-Cynthia Weil gem, first recorded by B.J. Thomas, offered something a bit different for longtime fans, and a chance for those unfamiliar to be bowled over by her formidable musical talent. The Grammy-winning smash led off her first million-selling album, launching the future global icon into the entertainment stratosphere.” RS-92

Two Doors Down Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Here You Come Again (1977), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 3/18/1978 Peak: 19 BB, 24 CB, 26 GR, 31 HR, 12 AC Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 2.0 radio, -- video, 26.19 streaming About the Song: “This song was inspired by the real-life experience of sitting alone in her room at Howard Johnson’s Motor Inn and trying to escape the temptation of the friend clams in the hotel restaurant, where she could hear her band enjoying themselves. She came up with a song about a woman who hears a party down the hall, decides to check it out, and comes back home with a new man.” RS92

It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Here You Come Again (1977), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 3/18/1978 Peak: 12 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 3.73 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song “While Parton scaled the pop charts with ‘Two Doors Down,’ country stations played this, the single’s decidedly forthright B side. With unambiguous come-on lines (‘Can I use you for a while?’) that set the scene for a close, no-strings encounter, Parton weaves a tale that’s as honest as it is heartbreaking.” RS-86

Me and Little Andy Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Here You Come Again (1977), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 2.49 streaming

Heartbreaker Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Carole Bayer Sager, David Wolfert Released: Heartbreaker (1978), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 8/19/1978 Peak: 37 BB, 56 CB, 62 HR, 12 AC, 13 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 4.63 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song “A plaintive pop-country ballad that served as title cut of Parton’s follow-up LP to Here You Come Again, this was yet another successful crossover hit for the now-high-profile entertainer edging nearer to superstardom…It remains one of Parton’s most affecting vocal performances.” RS-88-9

Baby I’m Burnin’ Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Heartbreaker (1978), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 11/25/1978 Peak: 25 BB, 34 CB, 46 HR, 11 AC, 48 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 19.76 streaming About the Song: “Dolly’s first bona fide dance hit – she would later score with Swedish duo Galantis on the chart-topping ‘Faith,’ and with a cover of Cat Stevens’ ‘Peace Train,’ among others – this combustible floor-filler accompanied Parton’s frequent trips to Studio 54, where she hung out with Andy Warhol and Calvin Klein.” RS-91

I Really Got the Feeling Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Billy Vera Released: Heartbreaker (1978), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 11/25/1978 Peak: 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.99 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

You’re the Only One Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Bruce Roberts, Carole Bayer Sager, Don Williams Released: Great Balls of Fire (1979), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 6/9/1979 Peak: 59 BB, 68 CB, 83 HR, 14 AC, 12 CW, 63 CN Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 3.06 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Starting Over Again Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Bruce Sudano, Donna Summer Released: Dolly Dolly Dolly (1980), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 3/22/1980 Peak: 36 BB, 49 HR, 35 AC, 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.39 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Hugh Moffatt, Pebe Sebert, Rosemary Sebert Released: Dolly Dolly Dolly (1980), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 7/19/1980 Peak: 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 10.68 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song “Nashville songwriter Pebe Sebert had a top 20 hit for newcomer Joe Sun in 1978 with this honky-tonk tune she cowrote with then-husband Hugh Moffat. Dolly’s slowed-down version burns even brighter as she basks in the warm glow of romantic reassurance.” RS-88

9 to 5 Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: 11/3/1980 (single), 9 to 5 and Other Odd Jobs (1980), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 11/29/1980 Peak: 12 BB, 11 CB, 2 GR, 15 HR, 2 RR, 12 AC, 11 CW, 47 UK, 12, 9 AU, 2 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 2.0 US, 1.20 UK, 3.28 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 5.0 radio, 70.70 video, 937.33 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song In 1980, Dolly Parton starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the workplace comedy movie 9 to 5. Fonda and Parton met by chance when they were on the same flight to New York and Fonda realized Parton would be perfect for the movie. Fonda said, “You feel comfortable with her, love her, and hug her like an old friend. All those qualities are in her work in the movie.” TR It was Parton’s first experience making a movie. She said, “The hardest thing was the long wait between shots, the hours you’d sit in make-up and costume and all…I can’t embroider or nothin’ like that, so I figured if I started writin’ songs, it would change my mood…That’s how I wrote ‘9 to 5.’” TR Songwriting was nothing new to Dolly. As a preschooler, she crafted stories and melodies which she asked her mother to write down. FB One family member said she started singing about the same time she started talking. FB After she graduated from high school in 1964, she left for Nashville the next morning to launch a singing career. FB She landed her first country hit, “Dumb Blonde,” in 1967 (#24). Three years later, she scored her first #1 with “Joshua.” She hit the top of the charts thirteen times before “9 to 5” reached #1 on the country chart on January 24, 1981. Four weeks later it achieved the rare feet of topping the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart as well. It became only the second song by a woman to top both charts – the last was Jeannie C. Riley with “Harper Valley P.T.A.” in 1968. “9 to 5” became “an anthem for office workers” WK and made the American Film Institute’s list of “100 Years, 100 Songs.” Rolling Stone called it “the most transformative of all Parton’s songs.” RS-92

But You Know I Love You Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Mike Settle Released: 9 to 5 and Other Odd Jobs (1980), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 4/4/1981 Peak: 41 BB, 47 CB, 52 HR, 14 AC, 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 2.0 radio, -- video, 5.40 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Single Women Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Michael O’Donoghue Released: Heartbreak Express (1982), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 2/27/1982 Peak: 8 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.83 streaming

Heartbreak Express Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Heartbreak Express (1982), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 5/29/1982 Peak: 7 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.45 streaming

Do I Ever Cross Your Mind Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Heartbreak Express (1982), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982), Best of, Vol. 3 (compilation: 1982-86, released 1987) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 7.01 streaming About the Song: “A perennial favorite of her live shows, when she and her band sing a portion as if they’ve ingested heavy does of helium, this was first recorded by Dolly with Chet Atkins, his galloping guitar accompanying her infectious laughter. A gospel-influenced 1982 solo rendition was followed by 1994’s Trio recording.” RS-91

Hard Candy Christmas Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Carol Hill Released: 10/11/1982 (single), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (soundtrack, 1982), Greatest Hits (compilation: 1977-82, released 1982) First Charted: 11/6/1982 Peak: 8 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 2.35 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Greatest Hits (compilation) Dolly Parton

Recorded: 1977-1982 Released: September 13, 1982 Peak: 77 US, 7 CW, 74 UK, 58 CN, -- AU Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 1.0 US, 0.10 UK, 1.19 world (includes US and UK) Genre: country Rating: 3.507 out of 5.00 (average of 13 ratings)

Tracks: (1) 9 to 5 (2) But You Know I Love You (3) Heartbreak Express (4) Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You (5) Applejack (6) Me and Little Andy (7) Here You Come Again (8) Hard Candy Christmas (9) Two Doors Down (10) It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right (11) Do I Ever Cross Your Mind (12) I Will Always Love You Total Running Time: 38:48 About the Album: This collection makes for an effective trifecta with the 1970 and 1975 Best of compilations. The three anthologies combined make for an effective snapshot of the first 15 years of Dolly’s career. This set, however, captures her crossover years when she landed her first pop hits with the top-ten “Here You Come Again” and the #1 hit “9 to 5.”

Everything’s Beautiful in Its Own Way Dolly Parton & Willie Nelson

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: 11/8/1982 (single), The Winning Hand (1982), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007) First Charted: 12/11/1982 Peak: 19 AC, 7 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 2.68 streaming About the Song: The 1982 album The Winning Hand was a compilation of material recorded from 1964 to 1982 by Kris Krisofferson, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Brenda Lee. “Everything’s Beautiful in Its Own Way” was released as the lead single. While it reached the top 10 on the country charts, it’s a bit surprising not only that it didn’t go to #1 on that chart but that it didn’t reach the Billboard Hot 100 given that Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton were at the peak of their crossover years.

Islands in the Stream Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb Released: Eyes That See in the Dark (Kenny Rogers, 1983), ), Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation: 1967-83, released 2008), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 8/27/1983 Peak: 12 BB, 12 CB, 2 GR, 2 RR, 14 AC, 12 CW, 7 UK, 12 CN, 11 AU, 5 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 4.0 US, 0.60 UK, 4.70 world (includes US + UK) Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 3.0 radio, 90.82 video, 643.89 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song: The Bee Gees were one of the most successful acts of the 1970s, but by 1983 they were a relic of the then-passe disco era. Had anyone bet the trio would ever again top the U.S. pop charts – much less the country charts – any sensible person would have taken that bet. Those people would have lost – kind of. Even at their peak, Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb wrote for others, including #1 songs for Yvonne Elliman, Samantha Sang, Frankie Valli, and their brother Andy. In the 1980s, they wrote Barbra Streisand’s #1 pop hit “Woman in Love” (1980) and the #1 adult contemporary hit “Heartbreaker” for Dionnne Warwick (1982). Their most successful non-Bee Gees song, however, was “Islands in the Stream,” a #1 pop, country, and adult contemporary hit for Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. The tune, whose title came from a 1970 Ernest Hemingway story, would be the last country song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 17 years, when Lonestar hit #1 with “Amazed.” SF Rogers had been interested in working with Barry Gibb a couple of years earlier. He envisioned recording a duets album singing with Gibb, Parton, Willie Nelson, and others. While that project didn’t work out, Rogers still kept Gibb in mind and when he was looking for a new collaborator, he tapped him as the producer for his first album on the RCA label. FB The resulting Eyes That See in the Dark album was introduced with the single “Islands in the Stream,” a song originally written in an R&B style for Marvin Gaye. WK It was the first time Rogers and Parton worked together, but both had plenty of success on their own. Both artists had topped the country charts multiple times and each had hit #1 on the pop charts in 1980 – Rogers with “Lady” and Parton with “9 to 5.” It ended up the only song in 1983 to be certified platinum. FB It also won the American Music Award for Best Country Single and the Academy of Country Music’s Single of the Year and Vocal Duet of the Year. In 2005, it topped CMT’s poll of the best country duets of all time. WK

Playlist: The Very Best of (compilation) Dolly Parton

Recorded: 1967-1983 Released: April 29, 2008 Peak: 57 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Genre: country Rating: 3.270 out of 5.00 (average of 11 ratings)

Tracks: (1) Joshua (2) Coat of Many Colors (3) Touch Your Woman (4) Mission Chapel Memories (5) In the Good Old Days When Times Were Bad (6) My Tennessee Mountain Home (7) Jolene (8) I Will Always Love You (9) Lonely Comin’ Down (10) Love Is Like a Butterfly (11) The Bargain Store (12) Here You Come Again (13) 9 to 5 (14) Islands in the Stream (with Kenny Rogers) Total Running Time: 45:08 About the Album: A

Potential New Boyfriend Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Steve Kipner, John Lewis Parker Released: Burlap & Satin (1983), Best of, Vol. 3 (compilation: 1982-86, released 1987), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007) First Charted: 4/30/1983 Peak: 20 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 2.59 streaming About the Song: “Parton’s sizable gay audience has been around for decades, so it’s hardly surprising that in spite of not writing it, she turned this frisky pop confection into a top 20 dance club hit. The song’s queer quotient was upped in 2013 with a slick cover by drag performer William.” RS-88

Save the Last Dance for Me Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman Released: The Great Pretender (1984), Best of, Vol. 3 (compilation: 1982-86, released 1987), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 12/10/1983 Peak: 45 BB, 50 CB, 12 AC, 3 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 5.79 streaming About the Song: This song was originally recorded by the Drifters in 1960 and went to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. Read about the original version of “Save the Last Dance for Me” here.

We Had It All Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Troy Seals, Donnie Fritts Released: The Great Pretender (1984), Best of, Vol. 3 (compilation: 1982-86, released 1987) First Charted: 9/6/1986 Peak: 31 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.24 streaming About the Song: This song originally appeared on The Great Pretender in 1984 but a remixed version appeared on the Think About Love compilation in 1986 and was released as a single.

Tennessee Homesick Blues Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Rhinestone (soundtrack, 1984), Best of, Vol. 3 (compilation: 1982-86, released 1987), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 6/9/1984 Peak: 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 4.28 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song “’I guess the public didn’t want to see Sylvester Stallone do comedy – or see me do Sylvester Stallone.’ Parton said of Rhinestone in her 1994 autobiography. The unmistakable jewel in that otherwise ridiculous, deeply flawed film pairing her with the action star was this jubilant celebration of Dolly’s Appalachian roots.” RS-86

God Won’t Get You Dolly Parton

Writer(s): ? Released: Rhinestone (soundtrack, 1984), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 9/15/1984 Peak: 10 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.34 streaming

Don’t Call It Love Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Tom Snow, Dean Pitchford Released: Real Love (1985), Best of, Vol. 3 (compilation: 1982-86, released 1987) First Charted: 1/26/1985 Peak: 12 AC, 3 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.43 streaming

Real Love Dolly Parton & Kenny Rogers

Writer(s): David Malloy, Richard “Spady” Brannon, Randy McCormick Released: Real Love (1985), Best of, Vol. 3 (compilation: 1982-86, released 1987), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 5/25/1985 Peak: 91 BB, 13 AC, 1>1 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 12.43 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Think About Love Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Richard “Sprady” Brannon, Tom Campbell Released: Real Love (1985), Best of, Vol. 3 (compilation: 1982-86, released 1987) First Charted: 11/30/1985 Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 3.17 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tie Our Love in a Double Knot Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Jeff Silbar, John Reid Released: Real Love (1985), Best of, Vol. 3 (compilation: 1982-86, released 1987) First Charted: 5/3/1986 Peak: 17 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.34 streaming

Best of, Vol. 3 (compilation) Dolly Parton

Recorded: 1982-1986 Released: September 22, 1987 Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Genre: country Rating: 1.695 out of 5.00 (average of 6 ratings)

Tracks: (1) Don’t Call It Love (2) Save the Last Dance for Me (3) Real Love (with Kenny Rogers) (4) We Had It All (5) Tie Our Love in a Double Knot (6) Think About Love (7) Potential New Boyfriend (8) Do I Ever Cross Your Mind (9) Tennessee Homesick Blues Total Running Time: 32:29 About the Album: While it’s called Best of, Vol. 3, this is really a fourth anthology which, along with Best of (1970), The Best of (1975), and Greatest Hits (1982), covers Dolly Parton’s career from 1970 to 1987.

To Know Him Is to Love Him Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, & Emmylou Harris

Writer(s): Phil Spector Released: Trio (1987), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 2/21/1987 Peak: 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 27.77 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song The Teddy Bears recorded this Phil Spector song in 1958 and took it to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. When Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris collaborated on the 1987 album Trio, their cover of the song was the first of four singles released from the album. It went to #1 on the country charts.

Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Bob Carlisle, Randy Thomas Released: White Limozeen (1989), Ultimate (compilation: 1970-89, released 2003), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (compilation: 1989-95, released 1996), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 5/6/1989 Peak: 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 39.93 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song “Producer-musician Ricky Skaggs helped rejuvenate Dolly’s career with the thrilling, inspired White Limozeen LP in 1989, from which this chart-topper is taken. Though she didn’t write it, Parton infused the honky-tonk stomper with her trademark sass, rendering it as irresistible as the ‘big ideas and little behind’ of song’s male subject.” RS-91

Yellow Roses Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: White Limozeen (1989), I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (compilation: 1989-95, released 1996) First Charted: 8/26/1989 Peak: 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): 1.0 radio, -- video, 1.54 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

About the Song “After stalling with her short-lived network variety series, Parton returned to the fast lane with the turbo-charged White Limozeen. While many of its best cuts were up-tempo bluegrass-injected tunes, this tearful ballad, which topped the country charts, marked a return to form for Parton as both singer and songwriter.” RS-88

He’s Alive Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Don Francisco Released: White Limozeen (1989), I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (compilation: 1989-95, released 1996) First Charted: 12/9/1989 Peak: 39 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 2.49 streaming

White Limozeen Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Mac Davis, Dolly Parton Released: White Limozeen (1989), I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (compilation: 1989-95, released 1996) First Charted: 5/12/1990 Peak: 29 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.34 streaming

Ultimate (compilation) Dolly Parton

Recorded: 1970-1989 Released: June 3, 2003 Peak: 5 US, 3 CW, 17 UK, 9 CN, 49 AU Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): 0.50 US, 0.36 UK, 0.86 world (includes US and UK) Genre: country Rating: 4.008 out of 5.00 (average of 15 ratings)

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Tracks: (1) Joshua (2) Coat of Many Colors (3) Jolene (4) I Will Always Love You (5) Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (with Porter Wagoner) (6) Love Is Like a Butterfly (7) The Bargain Store (8) Here You Come Again (9) It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right (10) Heartbreaker (11) I Really Got the Feeling (12) You’re the Only One (13) Starting Over Again (14) Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You (15) 9 to 5 (16) But You Know I Love You (17) Tennessee Homesick Blues (18) Islands in the Stream (with Kenny Rogers) (19) To Know Him Is to Love Him (with Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris) (20) Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That Total Running Time: 63:22 About the Album: This is the best of Dolly’s single-disc retrospectives, covering nearly two decades of music. While there are certainly some major songs missing, this collection does a decent job of presenting the most obvious Dolly songs in chronological order.

Rockin’ Years Dolly Parton & Ricky Van Shelton

Writer(s): Floyd Parton Released: Eagle When She Flies (1991), I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (compilation: 1989-95, released 1996), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: 3/2/1991 Peak: 11 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 12.97 streaming

Awards: (Click on award to learn more).

Silver and Gold Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Carl Perkins, Greg Perkins, Stan Perkins Released: Eagle When She Flies (1991), I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (compilation: 1989-95, released 1996) First Charted: 6/8/1991 Peak: 15 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.39 streaming

Eagle When She Flies Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Eagle When She Flies (1991), I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (compilation: 1989-95, released 1996) First Charted: 10/19/1991 Peak: 33 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 4.00 streaming About the Song: “A favorite subject of Parton’s, the majestic eagle is contrasted with the sparrow in this glorious ballad that served as the title cut of Dolly’s 1991 LP. Written for bu unused as the theme song of the ensemble film Steel Magnolias, it remains a soaring yet delicate feminist anthem.” RS-91

Romeo Dolly Parton & Friends (Billy Ray Cyrus, Tanya Tucker, Kathy Mattea, Mary Chapin Carpenter)

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Slow Dancing with the Moon (1993), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (compilation: 1989-95, released 1996) First Charted: 2/13/1993 Peak: 50 BB, 66 CB, 27 CW, 21 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 6.29 streaming About the Song: Who knows how this song, featuring a plethora of country legends performing alongside Dolly Parton, wasn’t a surefire #1 country song. Alas, it didn’t even sniff the top 10, peaking at a measly #27.

Silver Threads and Golden Needles Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, & Loretta Lynn

Writer(s): Dick Reynolds, Jack Rhodes Released: Honky Tonk Angels (1993), Very Best of (compilation: 1967-93, released 2007), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 12/25/1993 Peak: 68 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 10.72 streaming About the Song: Wanda Jackson was the first to record this song in 1956. Dusty Springfield had a top 20 UK hit with it in 1962. In 1974, Linda Ronstadt reached the top 20 on the country charts with her version.

The Very Best of (compilation) Dolly Parton

Recorded: 1967-1993 Released: March 7, 2007 Peak: -- US, 8 UK, 8 CN, 21 AU Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.74 UK Genre: country Rating: 3.368 out of 5.00 (average of 12 ratings)

Tracks: (1) 9 to 5 (2) I Will Always Love You (3) Islands in the Stream (with Kenny Rogers) (4) Jolene (5) Coat of Many Colors (6) My Tennessee Mountain Home (7) Here You Come Again (8) Baby I’m Burnin’ (9) Love Is Like a Butterfly (10) The Bargain Store (11) Potential New Boyfriend (12) Everything’s Beautiful in Its Own Way (with Willie Nelson) (13) Silver Threads and Golden Needles (with Tammy Wynette & Loretta Lynn) (14) To Know Him Is to Love Him (with Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris) (15) Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That (16) Romeo (with Billy Ray Cyrus, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Pam Tills, Kathy Mattea, & Tanya Tucker) (17) Tennessee Homesick Blues (18) Dumb Blonde (19) Applejack (20) Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You About the Album: A single-disc collection is hardly fair for an artist of Dolly’s caliber. Sure, it gathers the most obvious songs but it skips over so many others. It also suffers from being front-loaded with the most recognizable hits instead of presenting the songs in chronological order.

To Daddy (live) Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Heartsongs: Live from Home (1994), I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (compilation: 1989-95, released 1996) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 0.20 streaming About the Song: “A feminist declaration of independence, ‘To Daddy’ precipitated a major blowup between Dolly and Porter, as Emmylou Harris wanted to record it but Wagoner urged Dolly to keep it for herself.” RS-89 Dolly recorded it in 1976 and it would have been featured on her All I Can Do album had Wagoner won out, but “the two women prevailed and Harris’s tender version” RS-89 reached #3 on the country charts in 1977. Parton finally released the song in 1994 on her live album Heartsongs: Live from Home.

I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits Dolly Parton

Recorded: 1989-1995 Released: April 1996 Peak: 47 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Genre: country Rating: 2.494 out of 5.00 (average of 10 ratings)

Tracks: (1) Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That (2) Yellow Roses (3) White Limozeen (4) Eagle When She Flies (5) Romeo (6) Rockin’ Years (with Ricky Van Shelton) (7) To Daddy (live) (8) Silver and Gold (9) He’s Alive (10) I Will Always Love You (with Vince Gill) About the Album: This collection picks up where Best of, Vol. 3 leaves off. Combine this with that set as well as Best of (1970), Best of (1975), and Greatest Hits (1982) and you have a nice five-disc retrospective without overlapping songs.

Shine Dolly Parton

Writer(s): ? Released: Little Sparrow (2001), The Essential (compilation: 1967-2001, released 2005) First Charted: Ed Roland Peak: 25 DF Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 4.55 streaming About the Song: Throughout her career, Dolly has tackled some iconic rock songs including Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven,” John Lennon’s “Imagine,” and the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” Still, this hit by Collective Soul in the midst of the grunge era was an unexpected song for Dolly to cover. She does a nice job with the song.

The Essential (compilation) Dolly Parton

Recorded: 1967-2001 Released: May 28, 2005 Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Genre: country Rating: 3.541 out of 5.00 (average of 18 ratings)

Tracks, Disc 1: (1) Dumb Blonde (2) Just Because I’m a Woman (3) My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (4) Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8) (5) Joshua (6) Coat of Many Colors (7) Touch Your Woman (8) My Tennessee Mountain Home (9) Jolene (10) Please Don’t Stop Loving Me (with Porter Wagoner) (11) I Will Always Love You (12) Love Is Like a Butterfly (13) The Bargain Store (14) The Seeker (15) We Used To (16) All I Can Do (17) Light of a Clear Blue Morning (18) It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right Tracks, Disc 2: (1) Here You Come Again (2) Two Doors Down (3) Heartbreaker (4) I Really Got the Feeling (5) You’re The Only One (6) Starting Over Again (7) Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You (8) 9 to 5 (9) But You Know I Love You (10) Single Women (11) Heartbreak Express (12) Islands in the Stream (with Kenny Rogers) (13) Save the Last Dance for Me (14) Tennessee Homesick Blues (15) God Won’t Get You (16) To Know Him Is to Love Him (with Emmylou Harris & Linda Ronstadt) (17) Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That (18) Rockin’ Years (with Ricky Van Shelton) (19) Shine Total Running Time: 121:15 About the Album: The only two-disc retrospective featured on this page gathers the obvious and manages to hit some songs overlooked by the other compilations.

Better Get to Livin’ Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton, Kent Wells Released: Backwoods Barbie (2008), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 9/29/2007 Peak: 48 CW Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 8.27 streaming

Together You and I Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton Released: Better Day (2011), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: 9/17/2011 Peak: 67 UK Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.71 streaming

Red Shoes Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton, Linda Perry Released: Dumplin’ (soundtrack, 2018), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 4.0 streaming

Faith Galantis with Dolly Parton & Mr. Probz

Writer(s): Christian Karlsson, Linus Eklow, Henrik Jonback, Jazelle Rodriguez, Samuel James, David Saint Fleur, Dolly Parton, Jan Postma, Dennis Stehr, John Hiatt Released: 10/25/2019 (single), Church (Galantis, 2020), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 148.62 streaming About the Song: This is one of the more interesting songs in Dolly’s canon. Galantis is a Swedish dance duo. They reworked John Hiatt’s 1987 song “Have a Little Faith in Me” – a decidedly non-dance track – into the dance track “Faith.” Then they got Dolly Parton – a decidedly non-dance act – to guest on the song. She told Rolling Stone, “This is a song that the world needs right now…It’s all about uplifting mankind and believing in a higher power.” RS

When Life Is Good Again Dolly Parton

Writer(s): Dolly Parton, Kent Wells Released: 5/28/2020 (single), Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation: 1971-2020, released 2022) First Charted: -- Peak: -- Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- Airplay/Streaming (in millions): -- radio, -- video, 1.44 streaming About the Song: This was a freestanding single released by Dolly Parton. Lyrically, the song concerns the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Diamonds & Rhinestones: The Greatest Hits Collection (compilation) Dolly Parton

Recorded: 1971-2020 Released: November 18, 2022 Peak: 24 US, 4 CW, 5 UK, 20 CN, 47 AU Click for codes to charts. Sales (in millions): -- US, 0.22 UK Genre: country Rating: 3.262 out of 5.00 (average of 9 ratings)

Tracks: (1) 9 to 5 (2) Jolene (3) Here You Come Again (4) Islands in the Stream (with Kenny Rogers) (5) I Will Always Love You (6) Coat of Many Colors (7) My Tennessee Mountain Home (8) The Bargain Store (9) Baby I’m Burnin’ (10) Better Get to Livin’ (11) Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That (12) Love Is Like a Butterfly (13) Heartbreaker (14) Red Shoes (15) The Seeker (16) Together You and I (17) Two Doors Down (18) When Life is Good Again (19) Tennessee Homesick Blues (20) It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right (21) Real Love (with Kenny Rogers) (22) Silver Threads and Golden Needles (with Tammy Wynette & Loretta Lynn) (23) Faith (with Galantis & Mr. Probz) Total Running Time: 72:42 About the Album: While it is seemingly commendable that this collection tries to be career-spanning, that just isn’t possible with an artist of Dolly’s caliber. The latter material just doesn’t feel essential compared to her earlier work. This set also suffers by front-loading with Dolly’s most recognizable hits. Fans would have been better served with a collection that picked up where I Will Always Love You and Other Greatest Hits (1996) left off. That set, along with Best of (1970), Best of (1975), Greatest Hits (1982), and Best of, Vol. 3 (1987) make for a nice career retrospective from 1970 to 1995 without overlapping songs.

Resources/References: FB Fred Bronson (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (5th edition). Billboard Books: New York, NY. Pages 537 and 579. CL Ace Collins (1996). The Stories Behind Country Music’s All-Time Greatest 100 Songs. New York, NY; The Berkley Publishing Group. Pages 231-3. TR Tom Roland (1991). The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits. Billboard Books: New York, NY. Pages 104-5, 278-9. RS’19 Rolling Stone (10/25/2019). “After Galantis’ ‘Faith,’ Dolly Parton Ready to Make More Music.” RS Rolling Stone (2026). Tribute Edition: Dolly Parton 1946-2026. SF Songfacts page for “Jolene” SF Songfacts page for “Islands in the Stream” WK Wikipedia page for “Jolene” WK Wikipedia page for “9 to 5” WK Wikipedia page for “Islands in the Stream” Related DMDB Links: First posted 6/2/2019; last updated 10/1/2026.