Dolly Parton is an American institution whose 60-year career in country music has made her one of the best-selling artists in American history. Along with 100 million records sold, countless awards, and worldwide fame that has created its own class of Dolly Parton decor (I’ve been to the White Limozeen in Nashville and it is undeniably epic) one thing that has always struck me about Parton has been her genuine interest in philanthropy. Through her Dollywood Foundation she has donated millions of dollars to noteworthy causes over the years, with a focus on bringing education and reducing poverty in the Eastern Tennessee neighborhoods where she spent her childhood. America loves to build up celebrities only to break them down, but Parton has largely avoided that rollercoaster by simply being a world-class human throughout her entire public life. And that’s one helluva thing.
In a career that has seen 49 studio albums (yes you read that correctly) it’s gonna be impossible to sum up her career in one album. But if you had to do it Jolene is most certainly on top of that list– it contains the song Parton is most known for (“Jolene”) which tells the wonderfully depressing tale of a woman who is on the verge of losing the love of her life to a woman named Jolene and, in the midst of that terror, begins to plead with Jolene to not take her man. It’s an iconic country song that has stood the test of time. And then there is “I Will Always Love You” which most will associate with the indisputable Whitney Houston (hard to blame anyone for that) , but whose original version penned by Parton can also be found on this album. It’s a more upbeat number that works perfectly with Parton’s incredible falsetto.
Dolly Parton is an American legend, and country fan or not, Jolene is one of those albums that should be required listening for everyone.
Standout Songs: “Jolene”, “Highlight Of My Life”, “I Will Always Love You”, “Living On Memories of You”
