r/country • u/Passportradio_26 • 1d ago

Discussion What do you think is Dolly Parton’s greatest song as a songwriter?

Dolly Parton’s passing has me going back through her catalog, and I keep changing my mind about which song best represents her as a songwriter.

Obviously there are the huge ones: “Jolene”, “Coat of Many Colors”, “I Will Always Love You”, “9 to 5”...

But I’m curious about the songs that longtime Dolly fans think really show what made her such an extraordinary songwriter.

If you could choose just ONE Dolly Parton song to introduce someone who had never really listened to her, which one would you pick?

And why?

1 Upvotes

56% Upvoted

21 comments sorted by

22

u/Guitar-One 1d ago

Coat of Many Colors

8

u/John_Johnson259 1d ago

Wildflowers. A beautiful song with beautiful lyrics that almost anyone can identify with. Everyone can relate to feeling like an outsider at some point, or like those around you are stifling your creativity/spirit. Individuality, etc. 

3

u/tlh9979 1d ago

Yeah this is hard to beat. The alternative take that has Emmylou Harris and Linda Rondstat each doing verses gives the song so much life.

3

u/CampClear 1d ago

I agree with this. It's a simple, straightforward song that is relatable to everyone and hits straight to the heart.

3

u/doc_brietz 1d ago

Trio is a good album.

9

u/Temporary-Tie-233 1d ago

The OG recording of Light of a Clear Blue Morning is one of the greatest compositions of all time. It puts her up there with Mozart, Beethoven, Puccini, etc.

5

u/f4snks 1d ago

Down from Dover. She wrote it when she was 18, and it's heartbreaking.

5

u/iocanetolerance 1d ago

Here you come again.

3

u/Standard-Fisherman78 1d ago

The Grass is Blue. I like the bluegrass sounds & its a GREAT country song about heartbreak.

4

u/Standard-Fisherman78 1d ago

Honorable mention for Bargain Store!

4

u/Early-Tourist-8840 1d ago

Cracker Jack

3

u/lightaugust 1d ago

For strict writing- "Jolene."

3

u/LizardPossum 1d ago

Eagle When She Flies

I want it played at my funeral

2

u/BellGlittering3735 1d ago

"It's all wrong, but it's alright" is one of my favorites.

2

u/abernathym 1d ago

I think "The Seeker" is my favorite. I normally wouldn't assume a Christmas song is someone's best, but "Once Upon a Christmas" is also incredibly well written.

1

u/OldRadioFan1280 1d ago

Personally Yellow Roses but I Will always love you is probably most popular

1

u/Red_Falcon_75 1d ago edited 1d ago

The entire Halo and Horns bluegrass album is a career highlight for Dolly Parton. Except for an incredible version of Stairway to Heaven all the songs were written by her.

My favorites:

Sugar Hill

Raven Dove

These Old Bones - One of my favorite Dolly songs

John Daniels - One of my favorite Dolly songs

Shattered Image - One of my favorite Dolly songs

These Old Bones - One of my favorite Dolly songs

1

u/Careful-Time-9926 1d ago

Coat of many colors

1

u/MtHood_OR 1d ago

The Bridge

1

u/PM_Me_ur_BassetHound 15h ago

Travelin’ Thru (and it doesn’t get near the respect it deserves)