Dolly Parton Songs Ranked

Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music. After achieving success as a songwriter for others, Parton made her album debut in 1967 with Hello, I’m Dolly. With steady success during the remainder of the 1960s (both as a solo artist and with a series of duet albums with Porter Wagoner), her sales and chart peak came during the 1970s and continued into the 1980s. Parton’s albums in the 1990s did not sell as well, but she achieved commercial success again in the new millennium and has released albums on various independent labels since 2000, including her own label, Dolly Records. In 1999, Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. She has composed over 3,000 songs, including “I Will Always Love You” (a two-time U.S. country chart-topper, as well as an international pop hit for Whitney Houston), “Jolene”, “Coat of Many Colors”, and “9 to 5”. She is also a select group to have received at least one nomination from the Academy Awards, Grammy Awards, Tony Awards, and Emmy Awards. As an actress, she has starred in films such as 9 to 5 (1980) and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), for which she earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Actress, as well as Rhinestone (1984), Steel Magnolias (1989), Straight Talk (1992) and Joyful Noise (2012). Here are all of Dolly Parton songs ranked.

Don’t miss out on the TIMELESS Dolly Parton music below! Click to experience the forefront of the Pop movement!

17. Blue Smoke (Blue Smoke, 2014)

“Love the blue grass tones, rich stories and remake of Bon Jovi “Lay your hands on me”, awesome! Like wine, Dolly gets better with time! Songs are great and definitely show her talent as both musician and songwriter! Only Dolly can deliver such an awesome album!”

16. Hard Candy Christmas (The best little whorehouse in Texas, 2001)

“Hard Candy Christmas has always been a favorite since I first watched Best little whorehouse in Texas that starred Dolly. I’m barely getting through tomorrow But still, I won’t let sorrow bring me way down”
Such an underrated song from Dolly…”

15. Miss You – Miss Me (Blue Smoke, 2014)

“Miss you, Miss me was written for a TV Christmas movie end in 2013, one she has sung just with her and guitar, simply, clear and touching. Miss You-Miss Me makes me cry every time, she really captures the pain of a child of divorce but in a loving heartfelt way.”

14. Here You Come Again (Dumplin’, 1977)

“A bright and cheery venture into the pop scene for Dolly, and a great song from the late ’70’s.  The song is bouncy enough through the verses and chorus, but that BRIDGE…”All you’ve gotta do is smile that smile…”.  I love that part.  Fantastic song memory.”

See more: Dolly Parton Albums Ranked

13. Islands In the Stream (Greatest Hits, 1982)

“Islands in the Stream” is one of those miracle songs: a piece so kitschy and melodically simple that it ought to be unbearable. And yet… it’s got that something. Perhaps it’s just Dolly Parton, who really does sound fantastic on this: this range lands right on many women’s vocal break, but Parton navigates it expertly.”

12. You’re the Only One (Great Balls of Fire, 1979)

“The Great Balls Of Fire was a pop record that had everything from Jerry Lee Lewis to Beatles covers. It had the hit You’re The Only One. And the most country song on the record Sweet Summer Lovin’. It depends on how big of a fan you are as to how well you like this. It is more pop then anything else she ever did”

11. Tennessee Homesick Blues (Rhinestone, 1984)

“Love all the songs from the movie Rhinestone….it’s really a shame that Dolly doesn’t release these songs in their original versions and remixed as well. Some of her best work! Makes me homesick for Tennessee every time I hear it!”

10. Two Doors Down (Dumplin’, 1977)

“Two Doors Down” may be her best-written pop tune ever. It’s a great fun song about not wallowing in your sorrow and getting out to enjoy life. “Me and Little Andy” has also become a Dolly classic. A very sad country song set to a pop arrangement, a unique Dolly-child voice that may sound odd but comes out amazing”

9. Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That (White Limozeen, 1989)

“”Why’d You Come In Here Lookin Like That” became a Dolly classic instantly with its catchy chorus. White Limozeen is just one more reason to turn off the radio’s cowboy hatted clones and enjoy the stellar country of Dolly and her contemporaries.”

8. Heartbreaker (Heartbreaker, 1978)

“Moments of Heartbreaker are cringeworthy, as Parton almost completely abandons her roots to chase pop superstardom. Her writing seems to be more about volume than quality here, and lacks the sincerity of her early-career output that managed to stay true to the country genre while still pushing the envelope and showcasing her talents as a writer and singer.”

7. The Bargain Store (The Bargain Store, 1975)

“Before she became the Rhinestone Cowgirl, Dolly Parton wrote some delightful and very individual songs. This little gem doesn’t even sound especially country, a very good thing in my book. She works her metaphor well as she puts her human wares on display and sings plaintively and fetchingly to a tidy acoustic backing.”

See more: Julio Iglesias Albums Ranked

6. Love is Like a Butterfly (Love is Like a Butterfly, 1974)

” If you have ever been to Dollywood you’ve heard this song at her little theatre and throughout her park. I makes me think of my mom, who loved going to Dollywood every season. That song will never grow old.”

5. The Seeker (Dolly: The Seeker/We Used To, 1975)

“I would recommend this song to anyone. Anyone liking older country music will love this song. Tell all your friends about this song. Her voice is angelic.

4. Coat of Many Colors (Just Because I’m a Woman, 1968)

“Am i going soft in the head? I listened to this and was totally drawn into the emotional story. I suppose that’s Dolly’s big thing, the old brilliant words and catchy country pop thing. Children are so cruel though, aren’t they?”

3. 9 to 5 (9 to 5 and Odd Jobs, 1980)

“9 to 5 is a classic. It has great lyrics and a nice and catchy country melody, and Dolly’s unique and beautiful voice makes this song a classic.”

2. I Will Always Love You (Jolene, 1974)

“Well, sure, it’s better than Whitney Houston’s version, but that’s only because I think any reasonable person would take ’70s country over early ’90s R&B. But hey, it’s not like Parton is doing much of anything here. It’s the same kind of melodrama, just played with a bit more restrain (which is good). Take out the well-articulated melody and you’re left with one of the weakest cuts on Jolene.”

1. Jolene (Jolene, 1974)

“As for “Jolene”, I’ve always felt it could be a tad longer, a tad bigger, a tad more dramatic. Because it can afford that. It’s a good enough song to justify it. Whatever needs to be said about the good stuff it offers has already been said, the bare wording of the first verse, how Parton’s submission to the perfection of this mysterious woman makes want to side with her even though it’s all hopeless and embarrassing, how the acoustic guitars play it dark and dry but still iconic, the measured but incisive sting of the strings doubling on the slide guitar”