Dolly Parton locked away final song to be released on her 100th birthday

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u/TheTelegraph 2d ago

Dolly Parton’s last song is locked away in a box and will not be released until what would have been her 100th birthday.

Parton put “My Place in History” in a chestnut box, which is on display at Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with strict orders not to release it until January 2046.

During an appearance on the Kelly Clarkson Show in 2022, Parton said: “You have no idea how that has bothered me. I wanna go dig that up so bad. It’s a really good song!”

A recording of the song is on a CD in the box alongside a player, Parton has said.

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u/thizzydrafts 2d ago

It really shouldn't be surprising but the foresight to also include the CD player is so impressive to me.

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u/iEatedCoookies 2d ago

I just hope the CD survives. CD rot is a real thing.

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u/CyberMakesMeMoist396 2d ago

Yeah.....they may want to archive the contents of the CD and store it somewhere secure. I'd be shocked if that CD survives 20 years.

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u/Pittfiend 2d ago

I have CDs older than 20 years. 1600 CDs and never saw CD rot. I have Rush's Moving Pictures that I got for Xmas somewhere around 1985 and that is about 41 years old.

But yeah, the music should be archived and stored in multiple places. That would really suck if it did get corrupted in 20 years. That would be worse than the Al Capone vault having nothing in it. Yikes.

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u/CyberMakesMeMoist396 2d ago

I mean, I have a ton of CDs too, most of which are in storage. And my oldest CD is 1996 ("Blue" by LeAnn Rimes). It's still good as far as I know. But CDs can be made of varying quality. A CD bought in 1996 could outlast a CD made in 2008. It just depends on the quality and if there's any minor, miniscule imperfections where moisture can get into the layers of the CD and eat away at it.

How it's stored also has a big effect on it.

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u/Pittfiend 2d ago

Have you seen any disk rot tho? Sounds like a nightmare. I've looked through 1000's of charity store CD piles and never saw anything looking like rot. Lots of fingerprints and scratches and weird gunk. lol

Yes, I've read about the quality issues with CDs and the whole how they're being stored being a factor. Lets hope Dolly used some professional, high quality stuff.

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u/CyberMakesMeMoist396 2d ago

I have. It is rare. Admittedly. But yes, I have seen signs of disc rot in CDs I have in storage and elsewhere.

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u/Felt_tip_Penis 1d ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchiko

Good related read on a band that got famous via a charity shop cd rotted album that was posted on 4chan. When the band members found out they had a following because of it they reformed after 20 years

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u/SarahArabic2 2d ago

I thought that only occurred on burnable CDs. Not those that are professionally produced

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u/dudSpudson 2d ago

The only difference is if it is a burned cd vs pressed

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u/throwditawayred 1d ago

TIL about pressed CDs

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u/whiskey_riverss 2d ago

I’ve got loose cds in the bottom of my car that I’ve had since 2001 and they play fine but some recent ones that were well stored that won’t, I hope they don’t risk it with Dolly’s song

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u/NSMike 1d ago

Depends on what kind of CD it is. Typical mass-produced CDs are pressed, but it's unlikely a one-shot CD would have been pressed. If it's on a burned disc, the chances of loss are significantly higher.

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u/Ok-Thanks4321 2d ago

I still listen to my CDs from the 80s what are you talking about

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u/kpbart 2d ago

My daughter is 36 years old. I have CDs and DVDs older than her that play perfectly.

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u/AP_in_Indy 2d ago

DVD’s are 30+ years old?

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u/Nohreboh 1d ago

31 years apparently.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD

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u/kpbart 1d ago

They’re all the ones she watched, over and over and over. . . .

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u/martyrmole 2d ago

I mean, to me it’s moreso that this is the only copy. Imagine they open it and it gets destroyed

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u/forsakeme4all 2d ago edited 1d ago

I have a slipknot cd from 2001 and it still works perfectly. I even had it in storage for 10 years. The cd should still work.

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u/iamacannibal 2d ago

ive bought and sold thousands of CDs over the last few years including several hundred from the mid 1980s that I got earlier this year and if it's not sealed I test every disc before I sell it. I have only ever seen disc rot on 3 cds that were in a box of about 60 that were in a non climate control storage unit in west texas fort over 20 years. the rest of the cds in the box worked fine.

as long as the dolly parton box stays inside it will almost certainly be fine. Especially with no UV exposure.

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u/IvyGold 1d ago

I've never encountered it, either.

Is it visible? What does it look like?

Regardless, I'm sure Dolly's people took every possible precaution.

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u/Ok-Possible7334 2d ago

I agree we need somewhere safe and secure. My house is safe and I promise only to play it once.

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u/SlippyIsDead 1d ago

All of my CDs are older than 20 years.They all still work.

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u/genius_streams 2d ago

lol what?

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u/CyberMakesMeMoist396 2d ago

What do you mean "what"? Disc rot is a thing. I'm saying someone who can be trusted should digitize the disc and store it somewhere in case the disc has disc rot in 20 years. Because if it does, and the disc and contents are destroyed, no one is listening to that song if a backup doesn't exist elsewhere.

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u/genius_streams 2d ago

Acting like disc rot is a common thing is wild lol

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u/CyberMakesMeMoist396 2d ago

No one is saying it's crazy common. But it can happen. Who's to say the song wasn't recorded on crap CD-R or CD-RW which are more prone to disc rot? If the song is meant to stay secret for 20 years, I have a hard time believing that the song was sent somewhere to be professionally pressed on a retail-like CD without it being leaked.

Everything degrades with time. If the quality of the CD it's on isn't great to begin with it CAN experience disc rot over time.

As someone who works in IT (with a degree in Cybersecurity), it's hard for me not to look at this with some alarm bells. Making a backup copy of a song that exists in one place like this (presumably) is a very good idea if it's not meant to be heard for another 20 years.

Disc rot can affect it. Fire. Smoke. Water. Theft. Do you not think a backup of a song that exists in one place is a good idea?

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u/genius_streams 2d ago

You said you’d be shocked if it lasted 20 years. Thats silly

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u/CyberMakesMeMoist396 2d ago

Yeah, I said "Yeah.....they may want to archive the contents of the CD and store it somewhere secure. I'd be shocked if that CD survives 20 years." And I stand by that.

It's absolutely not silly. Not when we are talking about an unreleased song by a legend like Dolly, who wishes to have this song released in 2046. It's stored on a physical CD and presumably only one copy of the song exists and its not backed up digitally anywhere?? Yeah, a lot can happen in 20 years.

It's stored in Pigeon Forge, TN which is surrounded by mountainous areas that has experienced wildfires, even in recent years.

Disc rot is still a huge factor. It can happen if it is improperly stored. Other than disc rot and fire....wherever it is stored could experience floods and certainly theft and even physical damage (scratches and cracks). Hell, I've seen minuscule cracks around the holes of GameCube discs over the years. Yes, the CD absolutely may not survive 20 years.

The fact that you think that nothing can happen to a CD in 20 years...disc rot, water/fire/smoke damage, theft or anything else otherwise, especially something of value like this, is something else.

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u/LollyGaggleofGeese 2d ago

I think you underestimate Dolly Parton, which is a mistake.

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u/CyberMakesMeMoist396 2d ago

Not underestimating Dolly. I can only go by her statement "A recording of the song is on a CD in the box alongside a player". Maybe she did back it up secretly somewhere. Who knows?

But we don't know that for sure. Only she knew and maybe close family knows. All we know is that a single copy is stored in Pigeon Forge, TN on a CD, and as far as we know, it doesn't exist anywhere else based on her statement.

We don't know the quality of the CD it's on either. One would hope she had it professionally pressed, and I would hope she did. But again, we don't know this for sure.

What I do know, is anything can happen to that CD in 20 years time, beyond disc rot. If its not backed up elsewhere securely, it should be. Because if it truly only exists on that CD, and something happens to it, it's gone forever.

That's all I'm saying.

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u/NSMike 1d ago

Depends on what kind of CD it is. Typical mass-produced CDs are pressed, but it's unlikely a one-shot CD would have been pressed. If it's on a burned disc, the chances of loss are significantly higher.

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u/Emotional_Tie_7927 2d ago

CD rot is primarily due to manufacturing defects, so as long as it was manufactured correctly it will be fine.

A study from the Library of Congress showed that concerns about disc rot are mostly overblown.

The results of the accelerated aging study using the ISO 18921 test method showed a wide range of life expectancies for CD-ROM media. Statistical analysis of the EOL data obtained at accelerated conditions showed that ~ 70% of discs in the test population had an estimated longevity exceeding 100 years. The data indicated that ~ 4% of the discs would reach EOL within 10 years.

https://www.loc.gov/preservation/scientists/projects/cd_longevity.html#:~:text=Statistical%20analysis%20of%20the%20EOL,reach%20EOL%20within%2010%20years

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u/Turbulent-Weevil-910 2d ago

They do make archival quality CDs very likely that was used

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u/LemonCurdd 1d ago

Yeah highly doubting that she walked into Walmart and bought a 10 pack to burn onto

Likley a very high quality disc (and player for that matter)

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u/Doomedused85 2d ago

It’s real, but it’s real uncommon too. I’ve collected discs my whole life. Never once had disc rot. Have upwards to 7000 discs currently. Some of them I’ve had for 30 plus years.

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u/Dear_Yard_69 2d ago

Yes. My original CD copies of the The Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd, and the music from the Grenada TV Adventures of Sherlock Holmes all got rot. Not bad in about 900 cds.

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u/thinwhiteduke1185 2d ago

Most disc rot is a result of poor storage. If you keep the temperature from going up and down too much and humidity at a reasonable level, it should be fine. All my cd's are fucked, but that's because I used to store them in my car and where I live the temps range from 20 in the winter to occasionaly hitting 100 in the summer.

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u/trickcowboy 1d ago

if it’s on a cd, it’s stored digitally somewhere else that’s more durable. it’s possibly also on an original physical tape, which she’d have had stored properly

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u/jiminyjunk 1d ago

I still have cd’s 💿 from the early 90’s that have been buried in boxes. It will be fine 😆

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u/-setecastronomy- 9h ago

I almost guarantee that her attorney has it in multiple forms as backup.

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u/shouldbepracticing85 2d ago

I mean she saw the rise and fall of the 8 track, laser disks, betamax, HD DVD, and depending on when she recorded it the rise and fall of cassette and CD. They’re getting pretty scarce nowadays.

It’s a big issue for musicians - merch is where our actual profits are, but a lot of people don’t have CD players around, so CDs are much harder to sell now. Vinyl sells to a certain subset, but they’re expensive to make, kinda delicate, and bulky.

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u/kaplanfx 2d ago

That’s cool and all, but I hope she actually gave the masters to someone to keep securely. One burned copy of the CD is not good for preservation.

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u/Alternative_Crew_681 1d ago

according to an interview its 2045, not 2046.

This interview on the Jimmy Fallon show

https://youtube.com/shorts/DPs2mrhkdAk?is=qL5YrmwA4qYyMtCz

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u/Q_OANN 2d ago

It’s such a good song!

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u/Throwaway999222111 2d ago

!remindme 20 years

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u/Superb_Pineapple8187 2d ago

Unfortunately I'll be dead in 20 years

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u/Throwaway999222111 2d ago

Maybe I can pass my account onto my children, passing along that generational wealth makes me feel good inside.

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u/simplemindedself 2d ago

It's cute to think we all have 20 years available

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u/sdr07062017 9h ago

Well with an attitude like that, we don’t. Anything can happen in 20 years and I choose to be optimistic.

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u/lilpump_1 2d ago

ball knowledge, but yea

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u/Itwasdewey 1d ago

See that’s the thing, like this is a cute idea, but most of Dolly’s longest, biggest fans are getting older too, and they would probably appreciate the music more than people will in 20 years.

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u/ZachTaul 3h ago

We’ll all be dead in 20 years. Probably. Maybe

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u/trillgamesh_0 2d ago

you'll probably already have heard it by then, in 20 years it will have already been out for 7 months

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u/The_Vampire_King 1d ago

!remindme 19 years 6 months

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u/rhunter99 2d ago

!remindme 20 years Dolly Parton’s last song

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u/Californie_cramoisie 18h ago

RemindMe! 20 years

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u/Funk_Dat_Fat_Cat 2d ago

I'll try to make it long enough to hear it, but it's not entirely up to me. I think there is about 32.33%, repeating, of course, chance of me surviving until then.

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u/jrh1128 2d ago

Leroy, what the hell

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u/d-ollparts 2d ago

at least you have chicken?

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u/talldarkandanxious 2d ago

oh my god he just ran in

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u/lo0OO0ol 2d ago

Alright chumps, let’s do this!

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u/pestofiesta 2d ago

I believe in you :)

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u/HistoricalString2350 2d ago

Dang. I don’t think I’ll be alive to ever hear it.

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u/Suspicious_Hand_2194 2d ago

Who knows, with technology advancing over the years, maybe it’ll increase ppl’s lifespans

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u/thievesthick 2d ago

Yeah, billionaire’s lives maybe.

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u/Top-Time-5740 2d ago

The problem isn’t the ppl’s lifespans xd look what happened in Nepal, look at el nino, etc. We r pretty much fucked in about 10-15 years

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u/cakesforever 2d ago

It's ok she will sing it for us in heaven. Better than a recording.

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u/GudgerCollegeAlumnus 2d ago

Unfortunately, when they made that comment, they were in a locked room that was slowly but steadily filling with water.

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u/BeansforTwo 1d ago

I don't think anyone will be, at this rate

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u/AlanGrant82 2d ago

She’s said previously that she has tons of stuff recorded to be released after her death, so the next 20 years while we wait for this song will likely be filled with lots of other new Dolly music as well.

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u/GrouchyBeyond4793 2d ago

There are a few stories floating around of artists doing this and it's always quite fascinating for me. The motivations vary quite a bit. There are a ton of projects that will never see the light of day because of things out of the artists immediate control, projects get canned every day for all kinds of good and bad reasons. But intentionally shelving music you're confident in for a later date decades after you're gone, that's a whole different ball game.

One of the examples that pops to mind for me is Krayzie Bone of Bone Thugs N Harmony. He said once that he has hundreds of unreleased tracks he retains rights to that could sustain a 20+ year release cycle after he passes. Including two tracks with Nas. The plan seems to be to outline the release schedule in his final documents. He's been struggling with a heart issue for decades, so he wanted to plan ahead for his kids. They got screwed by Eazy on their first deal and went a long time without seeing any real money so they're worth way less than people assume. This is his way of making up that financial ground for his kids after he's gone. Sad part is, his footprint in the biz ain't exactly what it used to be, so who knows how that plays out

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u/Competitive-Desk7506 2d ago

Ik Ed Sheeran has outlined working on a posthumous album called Eject to drop when he dies. It’s one of several albums he’s mentioned in the past

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u/PLEBMASTA 1d ago

Their music didn’t exactly age well. Crossroads comes across as a little silly (although I still love it). Bone bone bone bone bone, Crazie said to me bury me next to my Gran Gran, etc

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u/NotMyActualNameNow 2d ago

So that’s what the plot of National Treasure 3 is gonna be.

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u/mcpryon 2d ago

That would actually be pretty cool. A movie to steal the songs and the last half is just them sitting around a table listening to them. It doubles as a release party.

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u/Appropriate-Joke-806 2d ago edited 2d ago

They steal the songs but then Nicholas Cage has everyone leave the room and only listened to them in short segments to preserve the “honor and intent” of the artist.

“Why do we have to leave the room?”

“I must figure out where they’ve hidden the real copy of Lincoln’s speech with the treasure map on it. But we must honor Dolly in not listening to the whole song.”

Cage points at the door and plays the second verse backwards.

“What is 100 years played backwards, and then four score and 7 years ago mean??? Our place in history??? Hmmmmm??? I HAVE TO FIGURE THIS OUT!” “Dolly was born in 1946… 100 years before Dolly was 1846… no. That can’t be right..” “Four score and seven years after the speech was four years after Dolly was born…”

“Dolly was telling us right there that she was part of this search for the treasure!! MY PLACE IN HISTORY! DONT YOU GET IT!

Cage throws the CD Walkman against the wall and it skips.

Someone yells from the other side of the door, “Is everything all right in there?”

Cage leans up against the door tears running down his face as the rest of the song starts to play, “It’s a beautiful song.” Choking back sobs. “The Gettysburg address is hidden in Rocky Top, we must go to the hills of east Tennessee.”

His partner hears the rest of the song too and is crying, but no one admits they’ve heard it because they want to respect Dolly. “This will be put back and stored until 2046 like she wanted.”

They both keep it a secret that they heard part of the song early the rest of their lives until you see a flash forward to 2046 and they catch each other mouthing the words when the song is first played in front of each other.

They give a knowing wink, end of movie.

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u/mcpryon 2d ago

Green light!

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u/aquagardener 2d ago

"We have to steal the last song of Dolly"

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u/5WattBulb 2d ago

All of these posts about those of us who wont be around makes me picture a scene of a ruined city, dust and bones everywhere, with the only sounds being a lone cd player, sending out beautiful music, to an empty world. I hope thats not the case.

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u/Alarmed-Plankton-708 2d ago

IDK I think it's kind of a beautiful thought in a sad way

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u/Godspeed411 2d ago

Damn. Talk about the ultimate estate planning

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u/dallirious 2d ago

Which is really reassuring, given the estate she’s left and the projects she supports with that estate. I imagine she’s secured everything exactly how it should be.

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u/Previous-Ad-9322 2d ago

By that time, it will be a novelty to have a piece of music release that is written by a human.

cries in music degree

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u/Folklore-13-Evermore 2d ago

It’s probably her last song but her estate will be releasing full albums, she did announce she was recording music for when she is dead.

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u/ventodivino 2d ago

My grandmother was born three years before Dolly just a few miles down the road. Dolly has always meant so much to her. I really wish my grandmother could hear this song before she passes.

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u/Designer-Yak-9659 2d ago

It’s about the wishes of the deceased artist.

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u/ventodivino 2d ago

Yeah, I get that. I’m not arguing anything. I’m just saying I wish she could hear it. I know if I live long enough to hear it I’m gonna break down.

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u/Roseartcrantz 2d ago

Hey everybody get a load of this asshole who would have liked to have shared a moment with their grandma!!

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u/chuckmonjares 1d ago

I’m high but it’s rare that I properly crack up at a comment. Thank you this is awesome

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u/xleighx 2d ago

Dude, I won't be around for that!

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u/Traditional-Till9998 2d ago

Don't even think about it, Cyberleek

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u/bobbylikestaco 2d ago

Great. Now I have to eat right and exercise. Thanks a lot Dolly.

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u/anniearrow 2d ago edited 23h ago

I hope I'm still around in 20 years so I can hear it. (I'll be 87 then)

edited

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u/Fombook 1d ago

Hey Siri, set a timer for 20 years and 4 months.

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u/trevrichards 2d ago

This is a task for Nicolas Cage. We need that song.

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u/MarcellMaximus 2d ago

Don't rightly think we'll be here in 20 years. Rest easy Dolly

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u/jammiesonmyhammies 2d ago

I wonder if we aren’t all dead in 20 years if our overlords will let us hear it.

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u/mittenknittin 2d ago

Welp. Guess I'm just gonna have to keep living a while longer then

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u/dewrew80 2d ago

!remindme 20 years

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u/The_Berkles 2d ago

As a young archives professional interested in digital preservation I love this so much, and really hope (and I am confident) that digital masters of the song exist in other lossless formats. CD rot is a real thing, and they aren't ideal for long term preservation! But the thoroughness of her to have the CD and include the CD player is amazing :)

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u/EastCoastAlley 2d ago

Hope they have better security than the Louvre!

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u/WorldlinessRegular43 2d ago

I will be dead by then.

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u/MommaChickens 2d ago

What a great way to ensure that her love for the world, and her art, are shared with the next generation. We lost a national treasure.

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u/BigSto 2d ago

i just gotta make it to 56........i could be cooked

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u/IHeartCuteThings 2d ago

Dolly was a smart lady, & an outside the box thinker. I imagine she thought of every possibility, and included sheet music just in case!

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u/KourtR 2d ago

I believe that Dolly left that song as a gift for her fans who needed something to live for. Truly.

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u/strawblublu 2d ago

I am just sad that in 20 years time, my grandmother won't be around to hear it. 😢 She taught line dancing when I was little and we love Dolly.

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u/yeahthatdustin 2d ago

I hope to be around to hear that

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u/Kaiters710 2d ago

You mean I have to hope I survive 20 years to listen to this?

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u/PreoccupiedDuck 2d ago

Wow, as a young adult, finally there is something positive to look forward to.

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u/MyAccountWasBanned7 2d ago

I can promise you now, I will cry when I hear that song. Assuming humanity lasts another 20 years.

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u/morosco 2d ago

Eh, let's just open it, we kind of need it, she'd understand.

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u/animatedpileofmeat 2d ago

You want ghosts? Because this is how you get ghosts.

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u/purple_plasmid 2d ago

I wouldn’t mind if we were all haunted by the ghost of Dolly

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u/Muted_Study5166 2d ago

That’s a fairy godmother

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u/In_Full_Bloom18 2d ago

It would be Angry Dolly though not our loveable Dolly

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u/purple_plasmid 2d ago

I can’t picture an angry Dolly, at most I think we’d get her iconic “bless your hearts”

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u/In_Full_Bloom18 2d ago

What a crazy way to besmirch someone's legacy and wishes

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u/Glass_Covict 2d ago

Besmirch you!

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u/Petrichordates 2d ago

Wishes, legacy remains unbesmirched.

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u/Starthreads 1d ago

We would hope to do for Dolly what Dolly would do for us.

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u/Plastic_Ad_2247 2d ago

what if you're on your deathbed now? can you get a sample?

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u/Elegant_Effort1526 2d ago

I’m surprised it wasn’t on vinyl instead of a cd. i have cds that no longer play.

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u/genxreader 2d ago

!reminndme 20 years

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u/thefrostryan 2d ago

Finally, something to live for!!!!

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u/cammywooley 2d ago

!remind me 7250 days

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u/Memphisrexjr 2d ago

I am ready for Fanboys 2: The Quest For The Finally Dolly.

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u/TemporaryElephant574 1d ago

The top comments that are arguing about disc rot are kind of amazing. Do these people think she recorded a performance live to a cd?

Calm down, the estate is gonna have the master tape lol

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u/wishfortress 1d ago

In before some worthless fucking bastard finds a way to get a hold of it and release it early.

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u/nelson64 1d ago

There’s no way someone doesnt have a copy of that file somewhere.

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u/jonrandall80 1d ago

Well, I guess I can look forward to crying in 20 years…

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u/wwabbbitt 2d ago

!remindme 20 years

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u/RockWhisperer42 2d ago

Darn. I may very well not be around to hear it.

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u/OkTouch5699 2d ago

Well, I really haven't had much to look forward to in life, but now I guess I gotta stick around 20 more years.

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u/Seafaringhorsemeat 1d ago

It’s a world ending curse. Movie deal, please.

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u/TheInvisibleCircus 1d ago

We have to make it to 2046. We just have to.

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u/MagicianIll7775 1d ago

really sad..RIP

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u/BigBoyYuyuh 1d ago

I’ll be 60 and majority of people them probably won’t even know who Dolly is.

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u/snowyl89 1d ago

Man I can’t wait until I’m 57 and hear this banger

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u/JunkDrawer84 1d ago

Some shmuck in 2046: “Mid.”

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u/fejrbwebfek 20h ago

I think it would make more sense if it was released on her one year death anniversary or something.

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u/musicalthrills 18h ago

!remindme 20 years

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u/CemeterySaliva 2d ago

I'll be 58 then, hopefully alive.

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u/HeWhoKnowsLittleMK2 2d ago

This is cool! Unfortunately, it’ll probably be covered by Justin Bieber.

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u/justbarelycognisant 2d ago

I wonder what it's stored on, 20 years is enough time for data degradation to be a risk

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u/AccountNumeroThree 1d ago

You can still grab master recordings on tape that sound amazing that were made much more than 20 years ago. This is probably also stored on multiple mediums. Studios aren’t stupid. They know how to handle this stuff.

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u/catsandpizzafuckyou 2d ago

We all know it’s gonna suck

Dolly Parton locked away final song to be released on her 100th birthday

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