Superlatives
A Vulture series in which artists judge the best and worst of their own careers.
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(Hell, she reunited the living Beatles.)
The new album is also, somehow, the 49th in Partons discography.
But her sprawling, decades-long career doesnt mean we know everything.
Rather, the country legend and entrepreneur prefers to channel most of her emotions and beliefs through her songwriting.
I always write a little bit of something about me without realizing, because itisme.
Im all in, wound and woven in and out of my songs.
It was my little cob doll.
I realized in my teenage years how seriously I was taking myself as a songwriter.
My Tennessee Mountain Home was one of my first big songs early on in my country-music career.
But, I mean, theyre all important to me.
Its something that will live on.
Even for Mr. Hart, when I had to be a male-chauvinist pig.
To spend a whole day on a song is rare.
Sometimes Ill go back to a song Ive started.
Maybe I didnt have the time to finish it and Ill go off and on again.
It always stalls me a little bit, but Im proud Im able to do it.
Lord, I have hundreds of unfinished songs.
But then I move onto other things, forgetting that Ive written down some of these ideas.
Ive got hundreds of song titles and song ideas that Im always dragging out.
Ill even look through a book Ive got of unfinished songs.
Ill look back and Ill sometimes think, Oh, that was a great idea.
That was a great title.
Why didnt I pursue this?
Then if I grab it out again, Ill usually finish it pretty quick.
I think every songwriter is like me.
It can be in the middle of a restaurant.
Ill let them think Im just making notes from the meeting.
Ill grab anything to write down a song title.
Ive done it on Kleenex boxes.
Album you sacrificed the most to make
That would have to beNew Harvest … First Gathering.
I wrote my song of deliverance the day I finally departed the show for good.
I thoughtNew Harvest … First Gatheringwas a perfect title for that.
It took longer because I savored every minute of it and I wanted it to be good.
Thats my album of deliverance and sacrifice, and Im very proud of it.
It was a very special time recording and I remember feeling so free like I had been delivered.
Like I was on my own.
I had arrived and I had earned it.
The feeling of freedom is an incredible thing.
I love what I do and tend to make it look effortless because these things come to me.
I spend long hours working, but nobody enjoys it more than me.
Iknownobody could ever enjoy it more than me.
With Jolene, I remember hearing so many people say, Thats such a humble song.
Its a true song.
You know, the idea of being blinded by beauty.
You dont understand what he means to me.
And to that I say, Look, theres always somebody more beautiful than you.
I wrote a song called Kentucky Gambler for Merle Haggard many years ago, which I loved.
I always thought that wouldve made a great movie.
But Im proud when anybody records any of my songs.
Its always nice when I hear a new version of any of these songs.
Look at my version compared to Whitneys.
Its overwhelming and very exciting when you hear other people sing your songs.
Ive had so many versions of Jolene that Ive loved.
Jack White, with the White Stripes, andMiley Cyruscome to mind.
Some people say, Oh, I bet you hated that version.
It never changes it for me, because I know what I was saying and writing about.
Thats just centered in my soul.
And Ill respond, Look, Im not being political here.
Im a person in a position to have a voice and this world is going up in flames.
Nobody seems to care enough to get out and do something about it.
I had the thought for the lyrics: Dont get me started on politics.
How are we to live in a world like this?
Some of the lyrics even sound like kids: Liar liar, pants on fire.
I also wanted to have something catchy.
I wanted to draw peoples attention to things.
You dont know how much, or if anything, is a help.
I venture to draw attention, point a finger, and throw some light on dark situations.
And Ill continue to do that.
Im always trying to say,Hey, rise up.
Song you wish got a stronger reception
I have a few of those.
The bargain store is open, come inside.
Im saying come inside my heart.
I thought that was one of my most clever songs, and its still one of my favorites.
She kept waiting for him to come down from Dover when he said he would.
He left her there pregnant.
They wouldnt play that on the radio.
And now you’re free to just get pregnant on TV.
A lot of people will relate to this and its a great story.
It would make a great movie.
I have a lot of songs that have been just shady enough.
Evening Shade was about an orphanage where the children had been mistreated.
So the kids decide to undermine the old matron and they burn the place down.
She burns down with it.
Its just so well rhymed and all.
They wouldnt play that one on the radio either.
They thought it was going to incite violence or something.
I dont write songs thinking like that.
I come up with all of these stories.
They make good movies in my mind when I write.
Drag queens, drag Halloweens, and when people began to dress like me.
I started realizing it when I chose to be myself being different and saying Im different.
Its okay to be different.
Why cant I stand up like Dolly?
My parents wouldnt accept me, but your songs did.
I read your songs and I heard you say this or that and you seemed so loving and nonjudgemental.
It was a gradual thing.
My heart is open to everybody.
I always say that I try not to judge.
We all have it.
Just like Be That goes: Whatever you do, do that.
Anything else is just an act.
So whoever you are, be that.
Whatever you do, do that.
Thats how I feel about life and Ive always been proud of my gay following.
I cater to them.
Everybody wants to be loved and I want to be loved by everybody.
It was about an old man I grew up knowing and loving.
I played the banjo on stage while telling that story.
It became one of my most loved songs when I was on tour.
Youll have surprises like that.
Theres another song called Marry Me thats more of a personality piece.
Its like when I started singing Little Tiny Tassletop.
My mama wrote it down and kept it.
Most reinvigorating album for your soul
Here You Come Again.
It was yet another moment of deliverance for my career.
When I leftThe Porter Wagoner Show, everybody was saying that I was making a big mistake.
I needed to go big or stay home.
So I started looking for management.
It was also my first million-selling record.
But I was a little apprehensive, starting the album.
Something I could kind of lean on and recognize.
Ive written all the songs, and we have the script.
Were hoping to be on Broadway in 2025.
Thats very ambitious because theres about 30 or 40 pieces of music in it.
Ive been involved in writing the book as well as choosing all the songs.
Ive been working really hard on it about ten years worth of work.
Ive really buckled down over the past two years, and weve got it pegged down.
Weve just been in the studio recording the music.
Once we get it on its feet, well have to cut and change some things and whatnot.
Im so ready for it.
