Dolly Parton names her favourite song of all time (2024)

Dolly Parton names her favourite song of all time (1)

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Throughout her illustrious career, Dolly Parton has written numerous songs, achieving varying degrees of success. Despite crafting many hit records that have become integral to American culture, none holds as much personal significance to Parton as the heartfelt track dedicated to her family.

Blessed with undeniable talent, Parton has led a life of abundance. Nevertheless, the singer-songwriter remains firmly connected to her humble beginnings, marked by a challenging upbringing in severe poverty. As the fourth among 12 siblings, financial resources were scarce, but the abundance of love compensated for the lack of material wealth.

Her mother, endowed with musical talent, passed on the gift to Parton. From a young age, she started performing and gained local recognition. However, limited by her family’s financial constraints, Parton missed out on many luxuries during her early years, an experience that later served as inspiration for a song.

Facing the challenge of being unable to afford a store-bought coat, Parton’s mother took it upon herself to craft a patchwork coat for her daughter. Although embarrassed by the garment at the time, Dolly endured ridicule from classmates for wearing it, an experience that fuelled her inspiration to later compose ‘Coat of Many Colors’.

While ‘Coat of Many Colors’ holds such a special place in Parton’s heart that she considers it her favourite, there is another track, written by someone else, that she also holds dear. This particular song is a 1977 ballad by Dan Hill: “I always loved the song ‘Sometimes When We Touch’,” the singer told TODAY. “It’s an older song, but I just always loved it.”

The genesis of ‘Sometimes When We Touch’ dates back to 1973 when Hill, at the age of 19, composed the song as an effort to persuade the woman he was romantically involved with to commit exclusively to him. During that period, she was simultaneously involved with two other men. The lyrics of the track were inspired by Hill’s complex emotions, reflecting his struggle to openly convey his true feelings for her.

Parton’s appreciation for the song is likely tied to its emotional depth, particularly in its exploration of profound love and an overwhelming desire for someone, reaching a point where it becomes challenging to control or even endure. Nonetheless, all of this aligns with the kind of deeply emotional love song that Parton herself is renowned for creating.

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Dolly Parton names her favourite song of all time (2024)

FAQs

Dolly Parton names her favourite song of all time? ›

While 'Coat of Many Colors' holds such a special place in Parton's heart that she considers it her favourite, there is another track, written by someone else, that she also holds dear. This particular song is a 1977 ballad by Dan Hill: “I always loved the song 'Sometimes When We Touch',” the singer told TODAY.

What song made Dolly Parton famous? ›

Dolly Parton's first solo #1 hit was her composition “Joshua” (1971), which led to three more #1 songs in 1974: “Jolene,” “Love Is Like a Butterfly,” and “I Will Always Love You.”

What song did Dolly Parton write for Elvis? ›

However, Parton paid tribute to the "King of Rock and Roll" in her own way on her forthcoming album Rockstar with the track "I Dreamed of Elvis." In the interview she revealed she wrote the song 20 years ago with The Jordanaires and enlisted Ronnie McDowell, who worked Elvis and sounds like him, to sing on the track.

Who is Dolly Parton's real husband? ›

Dolly Parton's 57-year marriage to Carl Thomas Dean proves that couples don't have to be cut from the same cloth to make love last. Back in 2023, the star got candid about why their marriage just works.

What song did Dolly Parton write for Whitney Houston? ›

Parton wrote “I Will Always Love You,” and the words and musical composition were registered with the Copyright Office in 1973. Whitney Houston, who put her own style and powerful vocals into some of the most popular recordings of all time, wasn't the first person to record a cover of the song.

What is Dolly Parton's favorite song she made? ›

Due to the personal aspect of the lyrics, 'Coat of Many Colors' sits in a league of its own in the eyes of Parton, who confessed on Colbert's Late Show: “Well, my very favourite song – from a very personal level – is the 'Coat of Many Colors'.

How many babies did Dolly Parton have? ›

The singer-songwriter does not have children with her long-term husband Carl Dean, who she married in 1966. She added: “My husband and I, we just think of ourselves as each other's child,” she said. “He's my only child, and I'm his only child.”

What song did Dolly Parton refuse Elvis? ›

Record 'I Will Always Love You'

What songs did Dolly Parton write but not sing? ›

Here are some songs you might not have known were written by Dolly Parton:
  • 1. “ I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston. An error occurred. ...
  • 2. “ Put It Off Until Tomorrow” – Bill Phillips. ...
  • 3. “ Rainbowland” – Miley Cyrus. ...
  • 4. “ Kentucky Gambler” – Merle Haggard. ...
  • 5. “ There'll Always Be Music” – Tina Turner.
Oct 16, 2023

How many famous songs has Dolly Parton written? ›

The Queen herself has estimated that she has written close to 3,000 songs over the past seven decades. Of them, over 450 have been recorded! If you ask 10 people, only a couple of them would know that Dolly wrote the iconic hit, “I Will Always Love You.” Sound familiar?

Does Dolly Parton have tattoos? ›

Then, a few years ago, Parton set the record straight during an interview with People in 2020. "I do have some tattoos, that's true," she told the publication. "But they're tasteful.

Who was Dolly Parton's love? ›

Dolly Parton and her love story with husband Carl Thomas Dean began in 1964 outside a local laundrette, a modest setting that birthed a decades-long romance. From their first meeting at 18 to exchanging vows within two years, Dolly and Carl's love has always been in the spotlight.

Who owns Dollywood? ›

Despite what you might think, Dolly Parton is not the CEO of Dollywood. The park is still owned and operated by Herschend Family Entertainment, which also owns SeaWorld and more than 20 other theme parks in the United States.

What song does Dolly Parton want played at her funeral? ›

Parton said: “I'm sure they'll be playing 'I Will Always Love You' when I die, just like they did with Whitney Houston. When they picked her coffin up and started in on that song, I started to cry, and I thought, 'Oh my Lord. ' That's when it hit me that she was really gone.”

Has Dolly Parton ever had a number one hit? ›

Parton holds the record for the most number one hits by a female country artist (25) and the record for most top 10 country albums on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart (41).

What two songs did Dolly Parton write? ›

During an interview on The Bobby Bones Show in 2018, Dolly Parton revealed that she wrote "Jolene" on the same day that she wrote "I Will Always Love You". Parton said in a later interview “I don't really know if they were written in the same night“.

What made Dolly Parton popular? ›

From being a regular on the Grand Ole Opry, and singing crossover hits that increased her popularity both as a country music and as a pop music star, to enjoying a syndicated television show and roles in several box-office hits (such as 9 to 5), as well as collaborations with numerous major music stars and innumerable ...

What did Dolly Parton do to make her famous? ›

After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album debut in 1967 with Hello, I'm Dolly, which led to success during the remainder of the 1960s (both as a solo artist and with a series of duet albums with Porter Wagoner), before her sales and chart peak came during the 1970s and continued into the ...

Who originally wrote the song 9 to 5? ›

Dolly Parton demonstrates how she wrote “9 to 5” on.

What famous songs did Dolly Parton write but not sing? ›

Here are some songs you might not have known were written by Dolly Parton:
  • 1. “ I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston. An error occurred. ...
  • 2. “ Put It Off Until Tomorrow” – Bill Phillips. ...
  • 3. “ Rainbowland” – Miley Cyrus. ...
  • 4. “ Kentucky Gambler” – Merle Haggard. ...
  • 5. “ There'll Always Be Music” – Tina Turner.
Oct 16, 2023

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