Music News

[southendmd]

While I'm sorry the fellow died, I must be in the minority.  I could never stand that song.  It's supposed to be a love song, but to me, it sounds like a dirge. 

[Front-Ranger]

I was reading his obituary and he said his father was reserved, unemotional and buttoned-up so he wanted to be the opposite. Some of the songs on the soundtrack are even more raw, and you have to be in a certain mood to listen to them. But during a part of my life, they spoke to and for me.

[Jeff Wrangler]

I never heard of him. 

[CellarDweller]

Dolly Parton dies at 80

Dolly Parton (January 19, 1946 - August 25, 2026) was an American singer, songwriter, actress, philanthropist, and businesswoman. After achieving success as a songwriter for other artists, Parton's debut album, Hello, I'm Dolly, was released in 1967, commencing a career spanning 60 years and 50 studio albums. Referred to as the "Queen of Country", Parton was one of the most-honored female country performers in history and received various accolades, including 11 Grammy Awards and three Emmy Awards, as well as nominations for two Academy Awards including a humanitarian honorary Oscar win in 2025, six Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award.

While she did collect some Billboard Hot 100 chart hits, they don't show the extent of Dolly's success.  She sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists ever.  Her music includes Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)-certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards. She had 25 singles reach No. 1 on the Billboard country music charts, a record for a female artist (tied with Reba McEntire). She had 44 career Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and she had 110 career-charted singles over the past 40 years. Her 49th and final solo studio album, Rockstar (2023), became her highest-charting Billboard 200 album, peaking at number three.

Billboard Hot 100 Top 40 singles of Dolly Parton.



Year              Song Title                       Peak Position on Billboard Top 40 Chart

1977  -           "Here You Come Again"                                            #3
1978  -           "Two Doors Down!"                                                  #19
1978  -           "Heartbreaker"                                                        #37
1978  -           "Baby I'm Burning"                                                  #25
1980  -           "Starting Over Again"                                               #36
1980  -           "9 to 5"                                                                   #1
1983  -           "Islands In The Stream" (duet with Kenny Rogers)      #1

[serious crayons]

When I picked up my phone and saw the notification about Dolly Parton, I gasped out loud. As a Facebook friend put it, "I didn't realize Dolly Parton COULD die."

Earlier today, I went to a physical therapy appointment at a clinic that specializes in PT and services for people with disabilities. The flag was flying at half-mast. I was surprised and curious, because I hadn't heard of any government official dying. Later, I realized it must have been for Dolly, which is outside the guidelines for half-mast flying but seems appropriate.

[Jeff Wrangler]

I guess this says something about me, or our times, or both, but I first heard this news second-hand, and my first thought when I heard it was, Is this real, or is this some sort of horrible internet "fake news" because she had been in ill health?

But this is very sad news--it sure makes me sad. Dolly was an American institution, and I mean that in the most sincere and respectful way. Even if you don't care for her genre of music, how could you not love her?

There was nothing fake about that down-home, sort of self-deprecating persona. Dolly was real. Dolly was genuine. She brought a lot of happiness to a lot of people, and for sure she will be terribly missed.

[Front-Ranger]

What about "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You"? Weren't they hits?

[southendmd]

Of course they were!  I remember "Here You Come Again" from the ?70s. 

You know, she once entered a Dolly Parton look-alike drag contest and lost.  Big time. 

She famously said that it took a LOT of money to look "this cheap". 

[CellarDweller]

What about "Jolene" and "I Will Always Love You"? Weren't they hits?

Lee, what I posted was the list of Top 40 hits that Dolly had on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, not the country charts.   The Billboard Hot 100 tracks the top hits of pop, country, rap, dance, rock and other genres all on the same chart.

She had a ton of hits on the country charts.  that's why I included this in my post:

While she did collect some Billboard Hot 100 chart hits, they don't show the extent of Dolly's success.  She sold more than 100 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists ever.  Her music includes Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA)-certified gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards. She had 25 singles reach No. 1 on the Billboard country music charts, a record for a female artist (tied with Reba McEntire). She had 44 career Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and she had 110 career-charted singles over the past 40 years. Her 49th and final solo studio album, Rockstar (2023), became her highest-charting Billboard 200 album, peaking at number three.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Of course they were!  I remember "Here You Come Again" from the ?70s.

I remember that one, too.

As for "I Will Always Love You," I referenced that in one of my "9-1-1" "Buddie" fanfics. I specifically mentioned that it was Dolly singing it.

You know, she once entered a Dolly Parton look-alike drag contest and lost.  Big time. 

She famously said that it took a LOT of money to look "this cheap".

I saw a clip of that this morning. I also think that's a good example of how, while she certainly took her music seriously, she didn't take herself too seriously.

And last night I saw a clip of her discussing her program to provide kids with books. She said it was in honor of her father, who could neither read nor write and was ashamed that he couldn't.

When I was a very small boy, our local hometown TV station broadcast Porter Waggoner's show just about suppertime. I forget if it was Saturday or Sunday, but for some reason Sunday sticks in my mind. In any case, I remember sitting at the dining room table, eating supper, watching the show, and I can still see Waggoner standing with his arm around Dolly Parton.