Dolly Parton's 10 Greatest Songs

by Tyler Glover, Aprille Hanson-Spivey & Julian Spivey

Photo: RCA Victor

1. Jolene
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” is one of those songs like “Sweet Caroline” or “Bohemian Rhapsody,” where if it comes on, everybody is going to know it and sing along, whether they like country music or not. It’s incredibly rare to have a song that universally beloved, but Parton really clicked on something with a song begging another woman not to take her man, inspired by a redheaded bank teller who flirted with her husband, Carl. There’s something so achingly torturous, yet beautiful, in her pleading with this woman to leave her man alone. That mixed with the beautiful melody of finger-picked acoustic guitar by Chip Young and the complementary steel-stringed guitar by Wayne Moss helped worm its way into our memories forever. Rolling Stone magazine named “Jolene” the 63rd greatest song of all time in 2021, the highest-rated country song on the list. JS

2. I Will Always Love You
“I Will Always Love You” is not only one of Dolly Parton’s best songs but one of the best songs ever written, in general. In 1973, Dolly Parton wrote this song as a farewell to her business and duet partner Porter Wagoner. Wagoner hosted a variety musical television program called “The Porter Wagoner Show,” and Dolly had been on the show for seven seasons. She decided to leave to pursue her own solo career. Wagoner was upset with her. Dolly went home and wrote this beautiful work of art to share her feelings with him. The song talks about how sometimes, even though we love each other, we cannot be together, but it does not stop the love you have for them. The love will always endure even though you don’t see each other as frequently. It is a beautiful ballad that still brings tears to my eyes. “I Will Always Love You” also became extremely popular in 1992 when Whitney Houston released it as a pop song for the film “The Bodyguard.” Houston went on to win Record of the Year, Female Pop Vocal Performance and Album of the Year for the soundtrack. “I Will Always Love You” is one of the most successful songs of Dolly’s career. TG

3. 9 to 5
“9 to 5” is one of those rare mixes of hopeful, rebellious and fun. Parton wrote the song for the 1980 movie of the same name, which became her film debut alongside her friends Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin. The song, off of her 1980 album 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs, is so well-known because it’s simple and relatable. It’s centered around being stuck in a 9-to-5 job with little respect or compensation, but still being hopeful, knowing “you got dreams they’ll never take away.” The song’s lyrics and melody are so recognizable as an anthem for office workers, particularly women, from pouring “a cup of ambition” to the iconic typewriter clicking, inspired by the clacking of her acrylic nails. It won Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance (Female) at the 24th Annual Grammy Awards. It’s my favorite Dolly song because I’ve lived it. I remember blaring it and singing along in my car on the way to one of my early journalism jobs, where respect and compensation were a rarity. The song is cathartic, a true gift from Dolly that gave us space to be frustrated while staying optimistic. AHS

4. Here You Come Again
There’s a softness and tender heartbreak in Dolly’s voice when she sings about love and longing. There are few better examples than on the 1977 single “Here You Come Again,” written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, off of her album of the same name. The song centers on an ex coming around again just as the narrator is finally getting over the heartbreak. The song showcases Dolly’s quiet vulnerability, while transitioning to her powerhouse vocals later in the song on the chorus, as she builds with the lyrics, “All you gotta do is smile that smile / And there go all my defenses / Just leave it up to you and in a little while / You're messing up my mind” and then belting out, “and filling up my senses.” It’s a vocal representation of the roller coaster love can be. It not only topped the U.S. country singles chart, but became a pop crossover, climbing to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. AHS

5. Coat of Many Colors
“Coat of Many Colors,” off the 1971 album of the same name, is one of Dolly Parton’s finest examples of taking a true-life story and making it into art. The song was inspired by Parton’s mother, who stitched together a coat for Dolly out of rags given to the poor family and told her the Biblical story of Joseph and his coat of many colors while doing so. It’s the kind of good Christian charity in lyrics like, “One is only poor, only if they choose to be/Now I know we had no money, but I was rich as I could be/In my coat of many colors my momma made for me” that Parton lived her life by, and as a result is remembered as much for her good will, as her legendary music. Parton called “Coat of Many Colors” her favorite song she wrote. JS

6. Why’d You Come in Here Looking Like That
Dolly’s sweet Southern twang was tailor-made for “Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That,” written by Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas. The 1989 single off of her White Limozeen album marked her 22nd No. 1 song on the Billboard country chart. It’s a heartbreak song, but one that’s upbeat, in true Dolly fashion, pleading why an ex has to look that good walking into what I assume is a honky tonk. My favorite part of this song is Dolly’s almost twangy growl on the word “why’d” later in the chorus, upping the energy as the song progresses. It’s such a fun hit, one she performed for her hosting/music guest gig on Saturday Night Live on April 15, 1989. AHS

7. Two Doors Down
When you look through Dolly’s discography, one of the things that stands out is her impeccable talent for writing ballads. Dolly has so many inspirational songs. “Two Doors Down” is one example of how Dolly can do so much more than that, though. “Two Doors Down” is an upbeat country song that tells a story of a woman who has just been dumped by her boyfriend and is sad in her apartment. She hears a party going on two doors down and contemplates whether she should go or continue to wallow in her misery. She eventually goes and finds a man whom she eventually brings back to her apartment “two doors down.” This song really shows us all that when we are heartbroken, life still goes on, and we have to keep going. Eventually, everything will work out and what is meant to happen will happen.  The song was commercially successful as well. It peaked on the Billboard Hot 100 at No. 19. It is remembered by so many to be one of her best songs. I think that is because Dolly was such a fun person, and this song is one of the best examples in her discography that truly captures that aspect of her. TG

8. Islands in the Stream (with Kenny Rogers)
“Islands in the Stream” is one of Dolly’s most successful songs critically and commercially. The Bee Gees wrote the song, drawing inspiration from the 1970 Ernest Hemingway novel of the same name. It was eventually worked into a duet by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton in 1983. The song is a metaphor for the kind of love we all hope for: a love that lets us be ourselves while also creating an unbreakable connection with someone who loves us for who we are. The islands symbolize individuality, while the stream connects them, suggesting the meeting of two souls. The song is incredibly catchy, and it is impossible not to sing along if you know the words. The song went on to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and in 2024, Rolling Stone magazine ranked it 104th on its 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time list. There is not a list that is complete of Dolly’s best songs without this one. Borrowing from the lyrics, this song simply does something to us that we can’t explain. TG

9. The Bargain Store
"The Bargain Store,” off the 1975 album of the same name, finds Dolly Parton’s narrator hoping to find love again after being “used” before. Believe it or not, the song was controversial at first, back when folks were expected to stay in relationships, no matter how troubled they might be. Some radio stations even idiotically misread a lyric like “you can easily afford the price” as a reference to prostitution and refused to play the song. Parton knew her worth as a woman, and “The Bargain Store,” a No. 1 hit despite some radio backlash, shows it. JS

10. When I Get Where I’m Going (with Brad Paisley)
While Dolly has an impressive collection of solo songs, her relationships and mentorships with other artists make her more than just a country singer. She was a mentor and friend in an industry that could be the opposite. While “When I Get Where I’m Going” is a 2005 Brad Paisley song, I can’t imagine it having the impact it does without Dolly’s backing vocals and beautiful “Hallelujahs.” It’s a song about the hope for Heaven, and it’s one that I listened to so often after my mother died. Hearing Dolly’s voice on this song and knowing her deep Christian beliefs makes it so much more meaningful. I will cry every time I hear it. Since her passing, hearing her voice sing, “When I get where I’m going, don’t cry for me down here,” is especially poignant. AHS