re: Dolly Parton is getting better, health wise

Hope it really is something temporary and manageable. We’d all benefit from having her around for a long time. It’s nice to have a public figure that everyone seems to like. She’s kind of like the natural successor to Betty White in that regard.

ETA I just looked it up and there’s actually data to show that she is the most popular public figure in the country.

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I never understood why she is famous in the first place. She has one “hit” in 1981 (9 to 5). Since then, she just sponsors an overpriced cheugy tourist trap.

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Her celebrity was certainly enhanced by her looks / assets, but even if you wanted to pigeonhole her as being a pair of boobs without talent that wouldn't be accurate. She was pretty accomplished as a singer AND a songwriter...

- Whitney Houston's biggest hit, "I Will Always Love You", was originally written and performed by Dolly in the early 1970s, I believe.

- Dolly's song, "Jolene", was a bit hit in the US and abroad, and has been an influence on and covered by many artists:

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- Beyoncé (2024) – Released a high-profile, rewritten rendition on her country-inspired album Cowboy Carter with Dolly Parton's blessing.
- The White Stripes (2000) – Delivered a raw, high-energy blues-rock rendition featured on their live album Under Blackpool Lights.
- Miley Cyrus (2012) – Recorded a widely viral acoustic version during her "Backyard Sessions" (Dolly is her godmother).
- Pentatonix feat. Dolly Parton (2016) – Released a stripped-down a cappella version that won the Grammy Award for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.
- Olivia Newton-John (1976) – Recorded an early, breezy pop-country spin for her album Come On Over.
- Kelly Clarkson (2015) – Performed a soulful, praised live cover during her "Kellyoke" segment.
- Lil Nas X (2021) – Performed a surprise, stripped-back pop-rap cover on BBC Radio 1's Live Lounge.
- Alison Krauss (2006) – Performed a haunting bluegrass version live for the Kennedy Center Honors in front of Parton.
- Mindy Smith (2003) – Recorded an acoustic version for the tribute album Just Because I'm a Woman: Songs of Dolly Parton.
- The Sisters of Mercy (1983) – Gave the track an unexpected gothic-rock treatment live. (Note: this one surprised me... might have to listen later out of curiosity)
- Strawberry Switchblade (1985) – Turned it into a bouncy UK synth-pop charting single.
- Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (2006) – Covered it as a fast-paced punk rock track.
- Chiquis and Becky G (2020) – Reimagined the song as a Spanish-language cumbia.

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Even if you wanted to ignore her accolades (25 #1 country hits, 11 Grammy's, being honored by The Kennedy Center), when artists from an array of musical genres in every decade since the 1970s go back in history to explore and cover a song you wrote and performed (not even the song you thought was her one hit or the one Whitney Houston brought back into prominence and elevated), you are doing something well.

The two songs I added are off the top of my head. I'm not a big Dolly or even country fan outside of a few artists like Johnny Cash, and I don't know much about her music. But clearly people in the music industry have maintained a high opinion of her work over six decades.

Not sure what you thought sharing this malformed fetus of a thought was going to accomplish for you, but here we are.

Be better.

Good. She is a national treasure

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I never understood why she is famous in the first place.

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I’m from Nashville

Geaux frick yourself