Dolly Parton possessed one of the most recognisable voices in popular music, wrote songs that travelled across genres and generations, and created an image that became famous throughout the world.
But as I reflect on her death at the age of 80, I keep returning to something beyond the records, awards and rhinestones.
I keep thinking about her humanity—and how she used everything that music gave her to help other people.
I also find myself thinking about my mum.
The Music My Mum Gave Me
My mum died a few years ago at the age of 88, and I know that my love of music came from her.
My dad was fascinated by hi-fi equipment and how music sounded. My mum simply loved music. She played records and particularly enjoyed country and western artists.
As a young person discovering pop, rock and eventually heavy metal, I initially thought country music had nothing to do with me. My mum tried to explain that this was music about ordinary people: their relationships, struggles, working lives, disappointments and dreams.
As I moved through the 1970s, left school and caught buses to the factories where I worked, I began to understand what she meant.
The rock and heavy metal I loved was also frequently about working people. It dealt with frustration, escape, struggle and the desire for something more. The musical language might have been different, but the emotions were often coming from the same place.
My mum began listening to some of my music—she even liked Rainbow—and I developed a much greater respect for artists she loved, including Kris Kristofferson and Dolly Parton.
That connection is one reason Dolly’s death has affected me so deeply. When I hear her music, I also hear my mum and remember the records that helped establish my own lifelong relationship with music.
Vulnerability Within the Songs
There are many Dolly Parton songs that will be played and celebrated over the coming days: “Coat of Many Colors,” “9 to 5,” “I Will Always Love You” and, of course, “Jolene.”
What strikes me about “Jolene” is its vulnerability.
The narrator is not claiming to be invincible or pretending everything is wonderful. She is frightened that she might lose the person she loves and is pleading with another woman not to take him.
Dolly makes us believe every word.
That vulnerability allowed people in completely different circumstances and different parts of the world to recognise something of themselves within the song. Dolly was glamorous, witty and larger than life, but the emotions within her music remained real.
She never seemed to lose touch with the people listening.
Turning Separation Into Gratitude
Dolly grew up as one of twelve children in a small home in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. She sang on local radio and television, appeared at the Grand Ole Opry at thirteen and moved to Nashville after leaving school.
Her partnership with Porter Wagoner brought her to a national audience, but Dolly was determined to follow her own path.
When she decided to leave their professional partnership, she expressed something painful and complicated in the way she understood best: she wrote a song.
That song was “I Will Always Love You.”
It tells us something important about Dolly Parton. She could transform separation into gratitude and personal hurt into something millions of people could share.
Her achievements were immense. She sold more than 100 million records, received eleven Grammy Awards and entered both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her official memorial describes a career that stretched across seven decades and reached the top of the country, pop, rock, bluegrass, Christian and dance charts. Dolly Parton’s official memorial
However, I believe some of her greatest achievements took place away from the stage.
More Than 300 Million Books
Dolly’s father was unable to read or write, and she understood how deeply that had affected him.
In 1995, she established the Imagination Library in his honour. What began as a programme for children in her home county became an international organisation providing free books to children from birth until the age of five.
More than 300 million books have now been given to children around the world, including children here in the UK.
Think about that for a moment.
Millions of children have received a book personally addressed to them—something they could hold, keep and hopefully treasure. Dolly understood that giving a child a book could also give them confidence, curiosity and perhaps even a different start in life.
She did not stop there. Through the Dollywood Foundation, she supported scholarships and created programmes encouraging young people to remain in education. Dollywood itself brought employment and economic opportunity to the Tennessee community where she had grown up.
Following the devastating Smoky Mountains wildfires of 2016, Dolly established the My People Fund. It provided families whose homes had been destroyed with monthly financial assistance for six months.
During the pandemic, she donated $1 million to COVID-19 research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She subsequently gave another $1 million to paediatric infectious-disease research.
Explaining that donation, Dolly said:
“I love all children. No child should ever have to suffer, and I’m willing to do my part.”
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Dolly did not simply lend her famous name to good causes. She gave her own money, influence and time.
She looked at what her success had provided and asked: how can I use this to make somebody else’s life better?
Music Builds Bridges
I often describe music as the healer and the doctor.
A song can change the atmosphere in a room. It can alter the direction in which a difficult day is heading, help somebody through grief or make a person feel less alone.
Music can also build bridges—and Dolly Parton was a wonderful example of that.
When she was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Dolly initially wondered whether she truly belonged there. Once inducted, she embraced the honour completely.
At the 2022 ceremony, she performed “Jolene” surrounded by musicians including Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, Duran Duran’s Simon Le Bon, Annie Lennox, Pat Benatar, Sheryl Crow and P!nk.
Country, rock, pop and heavy metal were standing together around one song.
Dolly followed her induction by making the album Rockstar, collaborating with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett, Peter Frampton and Rob Halford.
The connection with Rob Halford feels particularly significant to me. Rob comes from Birmingham, as I do, and Judas Priest were part of the heavy metal soundtrack accompanying me on those bus journeys to work in the factories.
My mum was listening to Dolly Parton while I was listening to Sad Wings of Destiny. Decades later, Dolly and Rob stood together and sang “Jolene.” Rob subsequently joined Dolly on “Bygones,” from Rockstar.
The musical circles had met.
Rob once described Dolly as “this beautiful beacon of life.” Following her death, he wrote:
“She won’t want no cryin’. I love you Dolly.”
Mick Jagger said:
“She brought so many people together, we will all miss her so much.”
Joan Jett described Dolly as a “one of a kind, altruistic, down to earth, musical genius.”
Those tributes help explain why Dolly’s death has touched people far beyond the traditional boundaries of country music.
Kindness Is Not a Weakness
Dolly Parton possessed enormous talent, warmth, humour and humility. She also understood that success means more when it is used to lift up other people.
She demonstrated that music can cross genres, generations, backgrounds and beliefs—and that kindness can do exactly the same thing.
Kindness is not a weakness. Kindness is a superpower.
Dolly’s songs will always be with us, but so will those millions of books. So will the children who were helped, the families who were supported and the lives made a little better because she decided to share her success.
She was the real deal.
Thank you, Dolly, for the music, laughter, generosity and example you gave us.
I would also like to thank my mum for introducing me to music—and Dolly for meeting her through the grooves of those records.
This tribute is dedicated to Dolly’s family, her friends and fans, and everyone helped by her music and generosity.
Play some uplifting music today. Play some Dolly Parton.
Music is the healer and the doctor.
Phil Aston | Now Spinning Magazine
