Dolly Parton celebrates her 77th birthday today (1/19). And to mark the occasion, she’s releasing a new song. She told The View, “I had written a song a few months ago. I had a dream about God standing on a mountaintop saying, ‘Don’t make me have to come down there.’ So, I write this song about it to try to draw attention to what’s going on and what we can do to help it, and I just felt like this song was very blessed.” She added, “So I thought I am going to put something out very special on my birthday, and I thought it might draw a little bit of attention for us shaping our lives up a bit in the coming new year.”
Parton has often said that she writes a new song on her birthday every year, which makes one wonder what huge songs she wrote on January 19th.
As Dolly is preparing her rock album with many rock icons including Paul McCartney, Steve Nicks, Cher we look at 77 songs that we feel are her very best.
77- “Run, Rose, Run”
ShareA great title track from her album of the same name. She also wrote a book with the same title to expand on the story.
76 – “Big Dreams and Faded Jeans”
ShareA single from her 2022 album "Run, Rose Run." Dolly sang the song on the ACM Awards in 2022 with Kelsea Ballerini.
75 – “Straight Talk” – 1992
ShareFrom the movie of the same name. Dolly played a radio talk show host.
74 – “These Old Bones” – 2002
ShareDolly says that the "old lady voice" she uses in this song sounds just like her own mother.
73 – “Here I Am” – 2018
ShareFrom the Netflix movie, 'Dumplin'.'
72 – “Holdin’ On To You” w/ Elle King – 2018
ShareA great remake of a song Dolly first recorded in the 1970s. Elle King is awesome teaming with Parton on this one.
71 – “Not Enough” w/ Queen Latifah – 2012
ShareFrom the soundtrack to 'Joyful Noise.'
70 – “Don’t Think Twice” – 2014
ShareA cover of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" from his 1963 album, 'The Freewheeling' Bob Dylan.
69 – “Lay Your Hands On Me” – 2014
ShareYep, it's a cover of the Bon Jovi classic.
68 – “Better Day” – 2011
ShareAn uplifting song Parton wrote for her 'Better Day"'album.
67 – “When Life Is Good Again” – 2020
ShareWe all needed to hear this song in 2020, a year that Dolly brought a bit of light to.
66 – “Backwood Barbie” – 2008
ShareA song she wrote about who she is. Dolly used dolls made with her image to promote this song. She has a handful of diehard fans who make Dolly dolls exclusively.
65 – “If I Were A Carpenter” w/ Joe Nichols -2005
ShareA cover of the song by folk singer Tim Hardin, which has also been covered by Johnny Cash. She gets an assist here from country singer Joe Nichols.
64 – “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” w/ Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn – 1993
ShareThis album was so good and what a teaming of country icons.
63 – “Red, White and Bluegrass” – 2003
ShareAn original song from her album she recorded as a response to 9/11.
62 – “Better Get To Livin'” – 2008
ShareA song that reflects Dolly's optimism on life.
61 – “Lovesick Blues” w/ Patsy Cline, Loretta, Tammy – 1993
ShareA remake of a Hank Williams song that featured Dolly, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and the late Patsy Cline's voice.
60 – “Halos and Horns” – 1998
ShareThe title track of her 1998 bluegrass album.
59 – “Down From Dover” – 1970
ShareShe cites this as a favorite tune she has written.
58 – “Seven Bridges Road” – 2000
ShareA great cover of the Eagles song.
57 – “Travelin’ Prayer” – 1999
ShareA Billy Joel cover.
56 – “Honky Tonk Songs” – 1998
ShareHere, she got back to her roots country sound with this classic Kitty Wells remake that Wells sings on.
55 – “I Still Miss Someone” – 1999
ShareDolly's remake of a classic Johnny Cash song.
54 – “Time and Tears” – 1998
ShareDolly wrote this song with which has a catchy beat.
53 – “The Camel’s Heart – 1998
ShareAnother gem she wrote with a clever play on a old saying.
52 – “The Grass Is Blue” – 1999
ShareThis is the title cut from her Grammy winning bluegrass project.
51 – “The Salt In My Tears” – 1998
ShareThis album, called 'Hungry Again,' came out soon after the death of Tammy Wynette. Dolly had written some unfinished songs with Wynette.
50 – “Me and Little Andy” – 1977
ShareThis song was never a single but is a favorite of many Dolly fans for its unique subject matter. Dolly used a childlike voice to sing a part.
49 – “To Daddy” – 1994
ShareDolly wrote this song in the '60s and gave it to Emmylou Harris to record as a single.
48 – “After The Goldrush” w/ the Trio – 1999
ShareThis Neil Young cover won a Grammy in 2000.
47 – “Starting Over Again” – 1980
ShareThis is a Dolly classic that Reba remade in the 1990's.
46 – “Single Women” – 1982
ShareThis album "Heartbreak Express" was the followup album to Dolly's huge "9 to 5" album. This was a number one song.
45 – “Heartsongs” – 1994
ShareThe title track from Dolly's live album recorded in her native East Tennessee.
44 – “Yellow Roses” – 1989
ShareA classic Dolly love song.
43 – “You Can’t Make Old Friends” w/ Kenny Rogers – 2014
ShareThis collaboration won Kenny and Dolly a Grammy in 2015.
42 – “Pure and Simple” – 2016
ShareThis is the title track of the album that she toured on for the first time in twenty-five years.
41 – “Traveling Man” – 1971
ShareOne of Dolly's early hits that she shared her mother didn't really care for because of the subject matter.
40 – “Don’t Call It Love” – 1985
ShareIt's one of her catchiest songs, you won't get it out of your head for days.
39 – “All I Can Do” – 1976
ShareIt's a quick ride of a song with perfect lyrics.
38 – “Light Of A Clear Blue Morning” – 1977
ShareA song Dolly put on a few of her albums. This version, from 1977, is the first of them. It's one of those songs that you listen to when you need to feel better about something. It's full of hope.
37 – “Romeo” w/ Billy Ray Cyrus, Tanya Tucker – 1993
ShareThis is a song that started the friendship between Dolly and Billy Ray Cyrus. Dolly is Miley Cyrus' Godmother.
35 – “Wildflowers” – w/ Trio – 1987
ShareThe 'Trio' album won a Grammy in 1988 for Dolly, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
34 – “Appalachian Memories” – 1983
ShareA song she later re-recorded as "Smoky Mountain Memories" about her people in East Tennessee.
33 – “Calm On The Water” – 1983
ShareAn album cut from Dolly's "Burlap and Satin" album that is a spiritual ride and an all-time favorite.
32 – “The Seeker” – 1975
ShareAn early hit for Dolly that leaned toward inspiration.
31 – “Heartbreak Express.” – 1982
ShareThe title cut from her Heartbreak Express album. Coming out after 9 to 5, the album sold over a million copies.
30 – “The Bargain Store” – 1975
ShareA song that Dolly said is about finding love.
29 – “The PMS Blues” – 1994
ShareA comical look at what women deal with on a monthly basis. Yeah, it's what you think it is and it's hillarious.
28 – “Baby I’m Burning” – 1978
ShareThis is a catchy song that Dolly had remixed to a dance mix and released on pink vinyl that same year. It's my husband's favorite Dolly song and he's a heavy metal guy. Go figure.
27 – “Applejack” – 1977
ShareNever a single but always played in every Dolly concert since she first recorded it. She plays a mean banjo too.
26 – “Love is Like A Butterfly” – 1974
ShareClassic Dolly and her love of butterflies has always been her trademark.
25 – “Hush Bye Hard Times” – 1980
ShareWhat a great song on her huge "9 to 5" album. Every song on that album could have been a single.
24 – “Twelfth of Never” w/ Keith Urban – 2005
ShareJust as Keith Urban started to become a country superstar he record this classic with Dolly. He sang it with Dolly at his New Faces Show at CRS in Nashville in 2005. The song ends with Keith saying, "You give me chills Dolly."
23 – “What A Heartache” – 1991
ShareA song Dolly has put on a couple of her albums. A serious heartbreak of a song.
22 – “Stairway To Heaven” – 2002
ShareYep, Dolly covered this classic and it's great. She is covering it once again for her 2023 "Rock" album.
21 – “Eagle When She Flies” – 1991
ShareA powerful song for a powerful woman. This song even inspired a series of greeting cards.
20 – “Tennessee Homesick Blues” – 1984
ShareA great song for the Rhinestone movie with Sylvester Stallone. She held a huge party for the movie at her home in Tennessee for the movie's opening.
19 – “Down” – 1979
ShareA great and catchy album cut Dolly wrote from her "Great Balls Of Fire" album.
18 – “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That” – 1989
ShareLove this and the video is awesome as well. Number one song.
17 – “Lonely Comin’ Down” – 1974
ShareAnother stellar album cut from the same album that gave us "Jolene" and " I Will Always Love You."
16 – “Old Flames ( Can’t Hold A Candle To You)” – 1980
ShareClassic Dolly, but a song written by pop singer Kesha's mom, Pebe Sebert.
15 – “My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy” – 1969
ShareThe boy on the album cover is Dolly's not often seen husband Carl Dean.
14 – “One Emotion After Another” – 1984
ShareYeah, the movie (Rhinestone) got panned and Sly Stallone singing was rough, but Dolly on the soundtrack and this song is amazing.
13 – “Islands In The Steam” – 1982
ShareOne of the biggest selling songs of all time. Written by The Bee Gees. I can't hear this one enough.
12 – “It’s Such A Heartache” – 1985
ShareThe perfect heartbreak song.
11 – “Two Doors Down” – 1977
ShareThis is a the song that Jane Fonda heard on the radio that inspired her to cast Dolly in 9 to 5.
10 – “Think About Love” – 1985
SharePerfect for the "Real Love" album and one of my very favorites.
9 – “Nickels and Dimes” – 1978
ShareAn album cut that tells the story of her first taking her guitar out to sing on the streets. She wrote the song with her brother Randy Parton.
8 – “Jesus and Gravity” – 2008
ShareA single she released in 2008. I always say this song is just as powerful as Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take The Wheel."
7 – “He’s Alive” 1989
ShareDolly won a Dove award for this powerful Easter song.
6 – “Joshua” – 1971
ShareDolly's first number one solo song. It's a great story song.
5 – “9 to 5” – 1980
ShareWhat more can be said of this classic country and pop song? Can you think of Dolly without thinking about this song?
4 – “Here You Come Again” – 1977
ShareA Grammy winner for Dolly. Believe it or not, she didn't write this one, but what a hit it was for her.
3 – “Coat Of Many Colors” 1971
ShareDolly says this is her favorite song that she's written. It's of course a true story of what her mother had sewn her to wear to school as a kid.
2 – “I Will Always Love You” – 1974
ShareDolly says this is her favorite song to sing. It's what she is known for, not to mention the Whitney Houston hit.
1 – “Jolene” – 1974
ShareThis song is a marvel and it's been my ring tone since 1995. You know, Dolly says she can't totally remember but speculates that she wrote this song and "I Will Always Love You" on the same day. What a day!
