Dolly turns 61 today, which is as good a time as any to ask: Is there anyone on this planet who doesn’t adore her? And if so, what is wrong with you? Here are a few reasons she’s one of our favorite people. Ever.
- The woman has talent that Jessica Simpson should never have been asked to emulate. See: "I Will Always Love You".
- The woman has a sense of humor about herself (and her boobs) and has used it opposite the likes of Johnny Carson, Jon Stewart, Graham Norton, and Conan O’Brien.
- The woman has recorded the saddest song in history.
- The woman has played with literally everyone from Kenny Rogers to Culture Club. She’s been covered by the White Stripes. And she’s impersonated Elvis (who, by the way, wanted to record "I Will Always Love You" but never did because Dolly wouldn’t sign over the publishing rights to him.)
- The woman has the mind of a teenager (or, okay, a thirtysomething). Her explanation to EW for why she recorded the duet "Twelfth of Never" with Keith Urban:
"I was tryin’ to think of somethin’ more meaningful, you know, more of a looove note, cause he’s so cute and all. I thought, well, find you somethin’ that you can sing about lust on, like, ‘I’ll love you for ever and ever and ever.’ That you can fantasize for a little while in the studio. He was so nice, so sweet, and so talented. In the middle of the song, when I had hit this high note he said, [in Aussie accent] ‘You give me chills, Dolly.’ And I thought, Oh, that is so cool! I want people to think he said that directly, romantically to me, so I move it to the end of the song. But he was actually talkin’ about my singin’, not me."
- The woman has serenaded me. An excerpt from that phone call to EW in Sept. 2005:
Me: Hi, this is Mandi.
Dolly: Hi, Mandi, this is Dolly. How are you?
Me: I’m good. How are you?
Dolly: Good. You got the name of one of my favorite songs. "Mandy."
Me: I was named after that song.
Dolly: Oh were you? That is honestly one of my favorite songs in the whole wide world. In fact, when you answered I was going to start singing it, then I thought, Oh hell, she’s probably heard that as much as I’ve heard (sings) "Well Hello, Dolly." (Laughs) Well, that’s a great song, and that’s a great name.
30 minutes later…
Me: Well, thank you for taking the time to–
Dolly: (Interrupts, singing) "Oh Mandy, well you came and you gave without taking/but I sent you away, oh Mandy."
Me: (Audible gasp, then sigh)
Dolly: I just love that song. I kept thinking maybe I could sing it "Oh Randy" because I have a brother named Randy, but somebody said, "You know, it’d be a big hit in England because Randy in English means horny." Did you know that? (Laughs)
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Oh, Dolly…how we love thee.
She projects such an interesting mix of down-home regular woman and sassy drag queen, plus a lot of diplomacy, humility, and sweetness. Happy Birthday!
She has written and recorded songs that make a grown man break down and cry(I Will ALways Love You, Coat of Many Colors, Like an Eagle). What a unique talent.
She is a fabulous talent, and a supreme songwriter. However that picture makes her look like Rod Stewart at a costume party. No offense.
It’s hard not to love Dolly.
Dolly is the perfect combination of sass and intelligence. She rules! Happy Birthday Dolly!
Happy Birthday Dolly! I love her … so genuine and down-to-earth. Plus, Dollywood is one of the best theme parks in the US.
that story makes me lover her even more
Love her! Steel Magnolias is one of my favorite movies!
Dolly is an amazing woman, entertainer, songwriter, etc. A true national treasure!
Happy Birthday from Chile I have been his fan from the times of 9 to 5, Potential new boyfriend, island in the stream, real love and so many more. It is very nice of you to highlight such a positive person, Just a few persosn really deserves it. Dolly you rock. All my love from Chile.
My best friend growing up had a jukebox in her basement that we listened to CONSTANTLY. One of the 45s (remember those) in the jukebox was Dolly’s “Here You Come Again,” with “Me and Little Andy” on the B-side. That song gave me the willies back when I was in elementary school, and it still does today!
okay, i’m at work right now and you-tube is one of the websites that we can’t log onto, so i gotta ask: what song is mandi referring to when she says dolly recorded the saddest song in history? help, anyone?
Dolly is one of the great songwriters in the American pantheon, and she possesses one of the most beautiful, pure voices I’ve ever heard. She can do everything — her recent bluegrass albums are unbelievable, just like everything else she does. Love love love her!
Love you Dolly. Happy Birthday!
T-bone which one are you reffering to? “Jolene” or “I will always love you”? Personally “IWALY” is annoying no thanks to Whitney Houston.
I am not a country music guy and own none of her CDs, and yet I just love Dolly! I might forget to put her work on my Christmas lists, but I’m always delighted by the interviews I see or read with her. I also remember being a fan of the show she had on TV with puppets, it was short-lived but I was a Dolly fan from a young age.
Not sure where to even start. Dolly Parton is so beautiful in so many ways, words can’t even come close describing her. I’ve been a fan since I was 5, and have loved her for 26 years now, and been thru some tough and some good times with her. Her voice and her words hit your soul unlike any other singer/songwriter I have ever heard. She doesn’t get nearly the recognition she deserves–she is SO OVERLY talented. A music critic said it best–”The world will not realize what it has lost until Dolly Parton dies, and then they will then realize they lost another Mozart.” God I love Dolly Parton. Never gonna be another–not even close. She’s american royalty. I LOVE YOU DOLLY!!! HAPPY SEXTY ONE BIRTHDAY LOL!!
mike(miketomek@yahoo.com)
Yes yes.. Dolly Parton is one of a kind! I LOVE her just like all the others. she is precious. Such a sweet woman and a pleasure to be around!
http://www.countrystarscentral.com
There are no words to describe Dolly! She is an incredible talent but if she had no talent, she would still be an incredibly beautiful person from the inside and out.
The song I believe Mandi is referring to is “Me and Little Andy.” It doesnt get much sadder than that one. It was the b-side to her first big pop song “Here You Come Again.”
I agree. How can you NOT love Dolly? She just oozes personality and charm, and she’s penned some of the greatest country songs of all time.
Dolly is the greatest entertainer personality of our time.
Dolly is so funny with a great since of humor. It comes with no surprise. Love you Aunt Dolly!
Dolly Parton is one the greatest American entertainers. Not only is she tremendously talented but also one of the kindest and most charming, beloved women in all of music. I have been a fan since I was young and always will be. GREAT ARTICLE!
Happy Birthday Dolly!! Dolly is simply the Best! She is so beautiful inside and out, and she is so funny and smart, in one word: Amazing! I simply love her! I’m her biggest fan in Aruba!!
That story is very similar to my sister’s encounter with Dolly. My sis is a corporate flight attendant and flew with Dolly once. My sister exclaimed, “I used to sing ‘Jolene’ all of the time growing up!!” Dolly asked my sis to sing and ended up singing with my sister. (my sis has a great voice; no way could I have done that!) Dolly was truly sweet and gracious.
love those super size tittys she got …yummm yummm
hey lets not forget those really big tittys she has, those legs not bad ..and a ass that i’d plow like the back 40 ohhh yaaa
My oh my! Dolly, please stop getting plastic surgery! You are looking scarier and scarier all the time. I hope you are not trying to beat out Michael the nut jackson. Lady, just learn to age gracefully because you are looking disgracefully.