Dolly PartonAnnouncing the news that Dolly Parton had died at 80 years old, her nephew, Bryan Seaver, said, “My family and I have shared a lifetime of beautiful memories with Dolly, but so have you. She has always been on your television, your record player, your CD and on your phone playlist, becoming an extended part of your family whether you liked it or not.”
What kind of monster would not like Dolly Parton?
Parton has been in the music industry for almost as long as there has been a music industry. And not just that, she has MADE the industry—ensuring that female singer-songwriters have a clear path to success; ensuring that fans are respected across genre, era, generation and gender lines; and making millions, only to give it away again.
Reading programmes for children, inspired by her father who made a life for his family of 12 while remaining illiterate for his whole life? Yes, she did, via the Imagination Library. And at her request, in lieu of flowers, donations for more books, please.
Then remember that massive global health crisis that literally kept families and friends from touching each other, unprecedented at its scale and scope for our lifetimes? Dolly didn’t wait; she handed over $1M to medical research, no questions asked, and then backed it up by adapting Jolene to Vaccine, urging a vulnerable and susceptible public to be “old enough and smart enough” to protect themselves.
Through her life, and still it seems in death, Dolly was hilarious. Her nephew told us, “Dolly called me and said she wants to rest in a beautiful bed of plush cotton because after a life wearing heavy rhinestones she finally deserves to be comfortable and have some rest.” A reference to her clear understanding of show business, she broke the tension with a little nod, never making anyone else the butt of the joke, but leaning into the silliness of the show in the best way.
Dolly Parton was one of the greatest songwriters to ever live. It is that simple. On one afternoon she wrote Jolene and I Will Always Love You—the second a song Elvis Presley loved so much he wanted to record it. But when the deal came from Elvis’ manager, Colonel Tom Parker, that Elvis would only do it if he could have half of the writing and publishing credit, she turned him down. That song was to be her legacy, she knew even then. Taylor’s version, indeed.
Parton was incredibly unusual—a woman who championed unusual beauty and became its embodiment. When asked about her look—always big, always bold, always for show—she famously proclaimed she was first inspired by the “town tramp” where she grew up. It was a punchline and a headline, but if you dig a little deeper, it’s genuine genius. It was her first display of professional appreciation—from one showgirl to another. And for a small girl who grew up with nothing (well, 1/11th of nothing—she had to share with her 11 siblings), the pure wonder of seeing someone who looked so glamorous is so delightful.
Dolly’s refusal to dismiss anybody was a strength, but also a frustration for some. As explored in the glorious 2019 WNYC podcast Dolly Parton’s America, somehow she managed to be everything to everyone, appealing to all sides while not pissing anyone off. At least not too much. Perhaps it was business savvy—understanding that all money, left or right, Republican or Democrat, spends the same. But she would often draw on her faith to explain her stance, saying she believed there was good in everyone and that it was not her place to judge.
As a woman in the industry, there was inevitable scrutiny on how Dolly looked as much as (or more than) how she sounded. Famously proclaiming that "it takes a lot of money to look this cheap", she began her career by leaning into what those in charge may have thought of her at the time. The song Dumb Blonde remains gently, gloriously defiant. She played the game, but only until she was in the door. Then she showed them up with her talent and started rearranging the furniture.
She has continued to make music until relatively recently, releasing a single last year following the passing of her beloved husband Carl, If You’d Been There. But look at her socials—she has refused to stand still. 18-year-olds can’t keep up, let alone an icon in her 80s. She dueted with everyone from Mötley Crüe to Miley Cyrus—Miley not just her musical progeny, but her goddaughter. Somehow they managed to out-sing each other, in the very best way.
Parton’s legacy has already been secured, not just through her fans but clearly her family. As this morning’s announcement made clear, she had planned the ‘what next’, or at least set up ways for her family to continue to make money, and then redistribute it, beyond the big lights and big boobs (all puns intended) of the music industry.
It’s said she used to proclaim "the higher the hair, the closer to God!". Let’s hope that her faith has taken her there, and that her memory and music bring comfort and joy, whether you like it or not.
The Music review from 2014 - Read Liz Giuffre's Review of Dolly Parton Live at Qantas Credit Union Arena
