Dolly Parton’s arrival in Nashville was a turning point. Her voice, a blend of Appalachian twang and pure country sweetness, captivated audiences. But it was her songwriting that truly set her apart.
Parton poured her heart and soul into her lyrics, crafting stories that resonated with everyday people. Her talent was undeniable, and critical acclaim followed. Yet, amidst the praise, one Nashville music publisher saw a surprising weakness in her writing, a flaw that threatened to hold her back.
This unexpected critique would become a turning point in Parton’s career, pushing her to refine her craft and solidify her place as a country music legend.
Dolly’s Distinctive Voice
Early in her career, Dolly’s songwriting talent blossomed. Her songs, imbued with the complexities of her emotions, painted vivid pictures of her Tennessee upbringing. Each lyric bore a clear stamp of Dolly’s unique style, an undeniable strength that propelled her to fame.
However, record producer Clarence Selman saw a potential pitfall in this very strength. According to the book Dolly by Alanna Nash, Selman identified a “major weakness” in Parton’s writing: her songs were so distinctively “Dolly” that they wouldn’t resonate with other artists.
Selman believed Parton’s success hinged on her ability to write for a broader audience. He proposed a novel solution: deliberately crafting songs for other artists. This, he argued, was a crucial but untapped aspect of her songwriting prowess.
Universality vs. Artistry
While Selman identified a potential drawback, he acknowledged it only mattered if songwriting was Dolly’s sole focus. “The word ‘weakness’ only applies if you think all she wants to do is write songs,” he clarified. Dolly’s burning desire was to perform, to be the voice behind her creations.
From this perspective, Selman argued that perhaps all of Dolly’s songs were inherently “for her.” He explained the viewpoint of a professional songwriter: “As a writer, you have to isolate a weakness in your product and do something about it.” However, for Dolly, the rules were different. Since she was the performer, any song she wrote automatically had a “record deal” – her own voice.
The true challenge, according to Selman, wasn’t the inherent Dolly-ness of her music, but its broader reach. “As a writer, I think she should hope her songs are for everybody,” he stated. Perhaps she did write with universality in mind, but her songs simply weren’t being picked up by other artists.
Dolly’s Passion for the Craft
Dolly is a songwriting powerhouse, driven by a genuine love for the art form. While she acknowledges not every song becomes a chart-topping hit, the act of creation itself brings her immense joy.
“I take myself more seriously as a songwriter than anything else,” she declared in a CNBC interview. Parton’s humor shines in her claim of having written “about 3,000 songs and three good ones,” but the underlying passion is undeniable. For her, the joy lies in the process itself. This dedication fuels her prolific output. “Writing’s just as natural to me as getting up and cooking breakfast,” she shared with The New York Times. Inspiration strikes her anywhere, anytime. “I ain’t never far away from a pencil and paper or a tape recorder,” she says.
The act of writing is a daily ritual, a constant companion on planes, buses, and even in the bathtub. Songwriting is her outlet, a way to channel her emotions and thoughts into the melodies and lyrics that have captivated audiences for decades.
Beyond the “Dolly-ness”
Despite Selman’s concern about the inherent “Dolly-ness” of Parton’s songs limiting their reach, a surprising number of artists have embraced them. From country legends to pop superstars, a diverse range of voices have reinterpreted Parton’s work.
Miley Cyrus, a self-proclaimed goddaughter of Dolly, has delivered a powerful rendition of “Jolene”. Country titans like Linda Ronstadt and Reba McEntire have also paid tribute with their own covers. The influence stretches beyond country, with alternative rock band The White Stripes also taking on “Jolene” and indie rock artist Waxahatchee offering her version of “Light Years”.
Even pop royalty like Beyoncé has dipped her toes into the Parton pool, covering “I Will Always Love You”. These reinterpretations demonstrate the universality of Dolly’s music, proving that her songs resonate far beyond the boundaries Selman initially perceived.