25 Greatest Songs of Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is a national treasure. She is one of the most beloved entertainers of any time period. She has a dazzling smile, a Magnetic Personality and a lilting voice.

Dolly is one of the wealthiest women in the world. As of 2021 her worth is listed at $350 million. Parton has released 64 studio albums (including those with Porter Wagoner). If you include the soundtracks and live albums that makes around 75 albums. She's released more than 200 singles. Several of her songs have been recorded by other artists which have brought her millions in royalties. Parton has also had starring roles in many popular films including the 1980 blockbuster "9 to 5." Her largest asset is Dollywood, the theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee that she co-founded 35 years ago.

40. But You Know I Love You (1980) / 39. Starting Over Again (1980) / 38. I Really Got The Feeling (1978) / 37. It's All Wrong, But It's All Right (1978) / 36. Love is Like a Butterfly (1974) / 35. Light of a Clear Blue Morning (1977) / 34. My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy (1969) / 33. Joshua (1970) / 32. Apple Jack (1977) / 31. Working Girl (1980) / 30. Home (2014) / 29. When Life Is Good Again (2020) / 28. Poor Folks Town (1980) / 27. Silver Dagger (1999) / 26. Help! (1979)

25. Islands In The Stream (1983)

Parent Album: Eyes That See in the Dark (Kenny Rogers)

Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers beautifully blend their voices together for this duet. Combined their voices elicit an upbeat joy that gives the song its feel-good sound. The song was written by Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb better known as the Bee Gees. The Gibb brothers later recorded the song in 2001 for inclusion on the compilation; Their Greatest Hits: The Record.

"Islands in the Stream" was #1 in Australia, Austria, Canada, and the US. It was also Top 5 in Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, and Sweden. The song was also number one on both the adult contemporary and country music charts in both the United States and Canada.

"Islands in the Stream" was initially certified platinum by the RIAA for selling 2 million copies. After becoming available for digital download, it had sold a further 900,000 copies in the US.

In the UK the song has sold more 250,000 downloads and has been streamed close to 5 million times.

24. Why'd You Come In Here Lookin' Like That (1989)

Parent Album: White Limozeen

This song was a comeback of sorts for Dolly on the country music charts. The song was #1 on the country music charts in both the United States and Canada. She hadn't reached the top spot in over 4 years when her single "Think About Love" topped the country chart in 1985. It was her 21st of 25 #1 Country Music singles. If you count her hits with Porter Wagoner she has 26 Country Music #1 hits.

The song includes an impressive list of musicians including jazz and folk musician Béla Fleck playing the banjo. Country music star Jo-El Sonnier gave us a spicy hot accordion performance. Bluegrass and country music legend Ricky Skaggs on acoustic guitar, mandolin, fiddle, triangle, and harmony vocals.

Dolly's character shines throughout the song with its slightly humorous lyrics: "Big ideas and a little behind," "In your high heeled boots and your painted-on jeans," When you could stop traffic in a gunny sack."

23. Great Balls Of Fire (1979)

Parent Album: Great Balls Of Fire

Right from the opening guitar part we know this one will be a rocking number. Dolly gave us a more than solid attempt at full-on rock and roll. As a matter of fact I would have loved to hear Dolly do an entire album of rock and roll numbers like this one.

The song was released as the B-side of "Sweet Summer Lovin'" and received a good amount of airplay resulting in charting at #7 on the US Country chart as the B-side of "Sweet Summer Lovin'."

"Great Balls of Fire" is a cover of the great Jerry Lee Lewis song. Lewis took the song to #2 in the US on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles chart as well as #3 US R&B and #1 US Country in 1957. The song was also #1 in the UK.

22. These Old Bones (2002)

Parent Album: Halos and Horns

Between 1999 and 2002 Dolly released three bluegrass album. Halos and Horns is her third of the three. All three albums are highly acclaimed by critics.

Parton says the title "These Old Bones" came to her in a dream. She said she started making up a mountain story about some old crazy woman who was psychic. The gray haired psychic keeps a collection of bones in a burlap sack. She claims that when she throws them out before you she can see the present, past, and future.

"These Old Bones" was the inspiration for episode eight of her dramedy series Dolly Parton's Heartstrings.

21. All I Can Do (1976)

Parent Album: All I Can Do

Dolly co-produced this song (and album) with her former singing partner Porter Wagoner. She and Wagoner recorded 13 studio albums together with the last released in 1974. The album marks Wagoner's final involvement in Dolly's solo career.

Dolly mentioned in her 2020 memoir, Songteller. "I wrote it on this funky little guitar that has all those decals on it that are so cheap looking. I remember banging on the guitar with my thumb and beating out that rhythm. I was just bopping along with 'It's all I can do, it's all I can do.' I kept on playing that little riff until my thumb got sore. But I played it through, until I got the song wrote."

"All I Can Do" made it to #3 on the US country chart and #1 on the country chart in Canada.

20. Potential New Boyfriend (1983)

Patent Album: Burlap and Satin

"Potential New Boyfriend" was a hot dance club hit which made it to #13 on the US Dance chart and #20 on the US Country chart as well #13 on the Canadian Country charts.

Three things stand out to me on this song. The funky up bass line gives the song a slight urban groove while the slick guitar solo brings on an edgy rock sound and finally the chorus of handclaps adds a feel-good feel that is magic on the dance floor.

19. The Man (1978)

Parent Album: Heartbreaker

"The Man"is one of Dolly's most unique songs. It opens with a trippy psychedelic guitar. But it's more than just the guitar - Dolly's echoing lead vocal lends itself to complete a psychedelic pop sound that is unlike any other song on the album.

Despite the song's "modern" sound - the lyric is "old folk" and tells the story of Dolly loves her hard working rugged dad.

18. Wildflowers (1987)

Parent Album: Trio with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt

This is one of only two songs on this list which is not Dolly Parton solo. This time Dolly is joined by Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt forming the trio called Trio. The song may as well be Dolly solo as she wrote it and takes the lead vocal. Harris and Ronstadt - harmony vocals and Harris also plays acoustic guitar.

This traditional country ballad was arranged to sound like an old fashioned Appalachian folk song.

17. Jesus and Gravity (2008)

Parent Album: Backwoods Barbie

Throughout her career Dolly has written (or recorded) several spiritual songs. In this song she attributes her faith for bringing her success and keeping her grounded throughout her long career.

About this song Parton said, "It's about spirituality and reality. I grew up in a Christian family, so anything about Jesus is good."

Parton generally writes most of the songs she records - especially those of such a personal nature. But this one was written by Nashville hitmaker Craig Wiseman ("Live Like You Were Dying") and Betsy Ulmer, a staff songwriter at his Big Loud Shirt music publishing company. It peaked at #56 on the Country chart.

16. Sweet Summer Lovin' (1979)

Parent Album: Great Balls Of Fire

While this song was not written by Dolly it was quite the fan favorite in 1979 and moving into 1980.

Dolly hits those whispery high notes beautifully as her sweet and expressive voice is backed by a smooth flowing adult contemporary meets country music arrangement. The song is tempered by a nice blend of effortless guitar chords and skillful banjo with a percussion section that keeps a lively rhythm within a tame atmosphere. The best part is the gently moving alto flute solo.

The song made it to #7 on the US country charts, #41 on the US Adult Contemporary chart and #77 on the US Singles chart. While in Canada it was a sizable hit on the country and adult contemporary charts reaching #6 and 8 respectively. Surprisingly the song was a #1 hit in Yugoslavia.

15. Eagle When She Flies (1991)

Parent Album: Eagle When She Flies

"Eagle When She Flies" is one of Dolly's most beautiful ballads and one of her finest vocal performances.

The song made it to #33 on the US Country chart but did much better in Canada reaching #9 on the country chart.

14. Shattered Image (2002)

Parent Album: Halos and Horns

Dolly originally recorded this song for her 1976 album All I Can Do." When asked about why she would redo her older songs. Her response was, "I have very strong feelings about them. They've never really had a chance to be all that they can be. I have hundreds of new songs, but there are some that 'want to be done' until I find the right way."

13. Little Sparrow (2001)

Parent Album: Little Sparrow

Parton adapted the Appalachian folk tune "Come All You Fair And Tender Ladies" in this track, and mentioned first hearing the ballad in her childhood. She stated in her 2020 memoir, Songteller: "Mama used to sing a song I think is called 'Fair and Tender Maidens.' I used that whole idea and that whole old-timey sound and feeling for 'Little Sparrow.'"

Dolly opens the song with an a Capella vocal setting the mood for introspective and intimate vocal performance. With her three bluegrass albums The Grass Is Blue, Little Sparrow, and Halos and Horn, Dolly comes back to her roots with a type of bluegrass music that suits her voice perfectly.

12. Mountain Angel (2001)

Parent Album: Little Sparrow

"Mountain Angel" is one of my personal favorites by Dolly Parton.

Several of the songs Dolly wrote for her trio of bluegrass albums were about women that were troubled or somehow unique. For instance; "Little Sparrow" was about a woman who was wronged by her lover. "Mountain Angel" is quite a bit more complicated. Let me try and make this brief. It's about a woman who falls in love with a guy who is like the devil, he puts a curse on her. He leaves her with a child. The child dies. She buries it up in the mountains. Her mind snaps. Since her baby's gone, she goes down to the schoolyard looking at all the little kids. At the end of the song she falls dead on the baby's grave.

11. Sugar Hill (2002)

Parent Album: Halos and Horns

"Sugar Hill" opens with a low-key acoustic guitar strumming its way into Dolly's expressive voice which is soon met by the fiddle and soon a plucking banjo. "Sugar Hill" is one of the catchiest songs appearing on Dolly bluegrass trilogy.

Parton said she was inspired to write "Sugar Hill" because every time she'd look at her record label's name, Sugar Hill, she would think, 'that's a really pretty name."

10. Backwoods Barbie (2008)

Parent Album: Backwoods Barbie

The appeal in this song is its lyrics. As Dolly sings, "I'm just a Backwoods Barbie in a push-up bra and heels

I might look artificial, but where it counts I'm real," she's telling her rags to riches story - that beneath all the makeup and pretty clothes a real person with intelligence and a heart exists.

This song was written for the 2008 Broadway musical 9 to 5 which of course was based on the 1980 film in which Dolly co-starred with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.

9. Sure Thing (1978)

Patent Album: Heartbreaker

"Sure Thing" was used as the B-side of the single "Heartbreaker."

The rock influenced song tells the story of a lady who's going out for a night of dancing. She's going to dance with a different guy - every song, until she finds the right guy to dance her home.

There's a few things here that make this song stand out. Let's start out with Jeff "Skunk" Baxter adds an edge to the song taking Dolly away from her down home country roots to the bright lights of a rock and roll lifestyle. Jeff Baxter was the guitarist with the Doobie Brothers from 1973 to 1978 and with Steely Dan from 1972 to 1974. Baxter played on two more Parton albums 1980's 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs and 1982's Heartbreak Express.

Next are those great funked out backing/harmony vocals which are most prominent in the last 30 seconds of the song. The vocals are coached by both Dolly and Jim Gilstrap. Gilstrap has worked (as a backing vocalist) with many great R&B musicians - most prominently Stevie Wonder. On this track the heavily funk influenced backing vocalists include Jim Gilstrap, Anita Ball, Augie Johnson, Myrna Matthews, Stephanie Spruill (a very popular session vocalist in the 1970s and 80s), and Angela Winbush.

8. Baby I'm Burning (1978)

Parent Album: Heartbreaker

Dolly Parton goes disco and by golly Miss Dolly is a hit. A lot of pop (and some country) musicians tried their hand at disco in the late 1970s. Some of them failed miserably such as the Beach Boys and Elton John. While others such as Rod Stewart and Rolling Stones got it right. Dolly Parton is in the "got it right" category. As a matter of fact she got it so right that the song was a huge dance club hit and was a staple in dance clubs around the world for the next four years or so.

"Baby I'm Burnin'" was a popular crossover hit charting on four different charts in the US. It made it to #11 on US Adult Contemporary, #15 on US Dance charts, #25 on the US Hot 100 Singles, and #48 on US Country charts. In Canada the song was #1 on the country charts, #9 Adult Contemporary and #30 Top Singles.

7. Here You Come Again (1977)

Parent Album: Here You Come Again

This is the highest ranked song on this list that was not written by Dolly. The song which was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weill takes its rightful position on this list for many reasons. First and foremost: this is the song that made Dolly an international superstar. She had other hits previously but this was the one that put her into the Top 3 of the US Hot 100 Singles chart. Dolly was sailing high with this song. It was also #1 US Country (5 weeks) and #2 US Adult Contemporary. In Canada it was also Dolly's breakthrough hit reaching #7 on the pop charts, #1 on both the Canadian Country and Adult Contemporary charts. It was #10 in Australia and #12 in New Zealand and #75 UK.

The song also brought Dolly her first Grammy Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female.

6. Coat of Many Colors (1971)

Parent Album: Coat Of Many Colors

"Coat of Many Colors" is one of Dolly's most personal and heartwarming story songs. It tells the story of how Dolly's mom made her a coat out of rags given to the family. As she sewed, she told Dolly the biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. Dolly was excited and proud to wear her new coat to school, "just to find the others laughing and making fun of me" for wearing a coat made of rags.

"And oh I could not understand it, for I felt I was rich / And I told them of the love my momma sewed in every stitch / And I told 'em all the story momma told me while she sewed / And how my coat of many colors was worth more than all their clothes"

The song ends with Dolly singing the moral of her story:

"But they didn't understand it, and I tried to make them see / One is only poor, only if they choose to be / Now I know we had no money, but I was rich as I could be / In my coat of many colors my momma made for me"

"Coat of Many Colors" made it to #4 on the US Country chart and #15 on the Canadian Country chart. The song was Dolly's first to chart outside of the US and Canada making it to #60 in Australia.

In 2011, Parton's recording was added to the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry list of sound recordings that "are culturally, historically, or aesthetically important, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States.

5. Two Doors Down (1977)

Parent Album: Here You Come Again

In the beginning of the song, the subject of "Two Doors Down" is sad and lonely (But here I am crying my heart out, feeling sorry). Toward the middle of the song she's joined the party (I can't believe I'm standing here, dry-eyed, all smiles and talking. Making conversation with the new love I have found). At the end of the song she's brought the party back to her place (Here we are feelin' everything but sorry / We're having our own party two doors down).

A few months before Dolly released "Two Doors Down" as a single, singer Zella Lehr released a cover version that became a top ten U.S. country hit. While Lehr's version was on the country charts, the single "Here You Come Again" was a much bigger pop hit than Parton had anticipated. Wanting to capitalize on her newfound pop success (and also not wanting to compete with Lehr's country version of the song) Parton rerecorded a more pop-oriented version of "Two Doors Down" with a slight disco flavoring.

The song was a sizable hit for Dolly reaching #19 on the US Hot 100 Singles chart and #12 on the US Adult Contemporary chart. In Canada the song made it to #26 on the Top Singles chart and #7 on the Adult Contemporary chart.

4. The Grass Is Blue (1999)

Patent Album: The Grass Is Blue

The timing for the release of Dolly's bluegrass album, "The Grass Is Blue," couldn't have been better. Bluegrass music was making great strides in 1999/2000. Alison Krauss was just beginning to leap up the charts with solo albums and her works with Union Station. Shortly after the release of Dolly's album the critically acclaimed soundtrack album from the film O' Brother, Where Art Thou was released. Sugar Hill label mates, Nickel Creek, were also hitting their stride at the time. Bluegrass was a hot commodity at that moment and Dolly was leading the pack.

The Grass Is Blue won a Grammy Award for Bluegrass Album of the Year.

Dolly wrote the song "The Grass Is Blue" during a half hour lunch break while filming the movie Blue Valley Songbird. The song came out so quickly, she attributes it to divine intervention.

After the pain of a break-up Dolly learns to cope by believing opposites are true: Rivers flow backwards / Valleys are high / Mountains are level / Truth is a lie / I'm perfectly fine / And I don't miss you / The sky is green / And the grass is blue

3. Jolene (1974)

Parent Album: Jolene

"Jolene" is one of Dolly's most iconic songs. Several popular musicians have covered the song including Olivia Newton-John, Strawberry Switchblade, The White Stripes, Pentatonix, and most recently Lil Nas X.

"Jolene" was a breakthrough song for Dolly. It was her first to chart on the US Hot 100 Singles chart reaching #60. Her first US Adult Contemporary hit at #44. Her first #1 hit on the country music charts in Canada. Finally, "Jolene" was her first song to chart in the UK peaking at #7. The song was also a #1 country hit in the US. The song has been certified Platinum in Denmark, Norway, and the UK and Gold in the US. It will most likely reach Platinum status in the US within the next two years.

2. 9 to 5 (1980)

Parent Album: 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs

"9 to 5" is yet another breakthrough for Dolly. How many breakthroughs can one artist have? If you're Dolly Parton - several.

"9 to 5" is the only song in her solo career to reach the #1 spot on all three US charts: Hot 100 Singles, Country, and Adult contemporary. Parton accomplished this feat again in 1983 as a duet with Kenny Rogers with the song "Islands in the Stream."

Dolly also accomplished this #1 trifecta with "9 to 5" in Canada. The song was her first and only song to reach #1 on the US Dance chart. She has however appeared on the dance charts with four other songs throughout her career. The song was a huge hit around the world reaching the Top Ten in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and several countries throughout Europe. And if this isn't enough the song also won two Grammy awards.

Of course we all know the song is the theme song for the blockbuster 1980 film of the same name in which she stars alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.

1. I Will Always Love You (1974)

Parent Album: Joleen

(This song has a lot of history so I will give brief highlights on a few of the important ones)

Dolly recorded this song on four different occasions. The first, of course, is her original 1974 release for her album Jolene. She wrote "I Will Always Love You" and "Jolene" at the same time. Dolly wrote the song as a farewell to her former business partner and mentor of seven years, Porter Wagoner, following Parton's decision to leave The Porter Wagoner Show and pursue a solo career.

Her 1974 recording made it to #1 on the US country chart and #4 on the Canadian country chart.

Next Dolly re-recorded "I Will Always Love You" for her 1982 film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. This is my favorite recording of the song. The song reached #1 on the country charts in both the US and Canada, #1 on the Canadian Adult Contemporary chart, #17 on the US Adult Contemporary chart, #8 on Canada's Top Singles chart, #53 on the US Hot 100 Singles, #2 in Netherlands, #4 in Belgium and lower chart positions throughout the world.

Dolly once again recorded the song in 1995 as a duet with Vince Gill for her album Something Special. This rendition made it to #15 on the US Country chart and #23 on the Canadian country chart.

Once again in 2019 Dolly duetted with Kristin Chenowith. This version did not chart.

"I Will Always Love You" is one of Dolly's most covered songs. Here's a brief list of some of the better known names to record it: Linda Ronstadt, John Doe, LeAnn Rimes, Sarah Washington, Deborah Cox, Rik Waller, Roger Whitaker, and too many more to list.

But of course we cannot end this with spending a few moments on Whitney Houston. She took Dolly's song and did a beautiful gospel-infused rendition. Singing each note to perfection with impeccable phrasing and full-bodied tone. Whitney Houston took this song, which was already a classic, and exceeded all expectations. Whitney's recording for the 1992 soundtrack for the film The Bodyguard soared to #1 in just about every country in the world. Houston's rendition is one of the biggest selling singles of all-time having sold more than 20 million copies worldwide (that's a whole lot of royalties for Dolly).

Let's talk about the charts. Whitney took the song to #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100 Singles and stayed there for 14 weeks. It was also #1 on the US Adult Contemporary and R&B charts (but not country). The song peaked at #1 in more than 30 countries around the world including Japan, Greece, Iceland, UK, Canada, Panama, Spain, Uruguay, Peru, France, Germany, Australia and many more.

Whitney's renditions also won two Grammy Awards, two American Music Awards, six Billboard Music Awards, and several others.

Despite all the success "I Will Always Love You" has achieved for other musicians - the song still belongs to Dolly Parton. It all started with her 1974 recording. She sings with a mournful yearning and puts every bit of her heart and soul into this little sing that ended up doing some very big things over this course of time.

Thank You!!