Dolly Parton Shares Next Track From Her ‘Rockstar’ Album
by Best Classic Bands Staff
When Dolly Parton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022, she declared “I’m a rock star now!” and promised that she would live up to the honor by recording a rock album. On May 9, 2023, after many planned leaks of who would be involved, the beloved singer and songwriter announced details of the album featuring some of rock’s biggest, well, stars. Rockstar, coming November 17, spans 30 tracks (21 rock anthems and nine originals) across 2-CDs and 4-LPs, and includes collaborations with such boldfaced names Stevie Nicks, John Fogerty, Steve Perry, Pat Benatar, and Steven Tyler.
On “Let It Be,” Paul McCartney sings and plays piano and Ringo Starr joined in on drums. Special guests Mick Fleetwood plays percussion and Peter Frampton is on guitar.
Want more? Other tracks include Joan Jett, Elton John, Melissa Etheridge, Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow, Ann Wilson, Richie Sambora, and Rob Halford, along with many of pop music’s biggest names. See below for the complete track listing and who’s who.
On September 22, she shared a sixth track, a cover of 4 Non Blondes’ 1993 hit, “What’s Up?” that features its songwriter, Linda Perry. Although the original peaked at “just” #14 on the Hot 100, it reached #1 in more than a dozen countries around the world.
The follow-up release, on Oct. 20, was her cover of “Wrecking Ball” with Miley Cyrus.
On May 11, Parton shared the lead track, “World on Fire,” featuring a soaring chorus from a large ensemble of backup vocalists. “Don’t get me started on politics,” she sings. “Now how we to live in a world like this? Greedy politicians, present and past. They wouldn’t know the truth if it bit ’em in the ass. Have we all lost sight of common decency, of wrong and right?”
She debuted it on May 11 during the 58th annual ACM Awards that she hosted with Garth Brooks.
Of the track, she said, “This is a song I felt very inspired to write. I think it speaks about everything and to everyone this day and time. I hope it is something that will touch you and maybe touch enough people to want to make a change for the better.”
On July 21, Parton shared her cover of Queen’s “We Are the Champions” / “We Will Rock You”
On June 16, she shared a pair of additional tracks from the album, an original composition of hers, “Bygones,” featuring Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx and John 5 and a cover of Heart’s “Magic Man (Carl Version)” featuring Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese. Of the former, Parton says it “fits with so many couples and coupling my voice with Rob, one of my all-time favorites, made it even more special.”
“I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album, Rockstar!” Parton , who turned 77 on January 19, said in the announcement. “I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!
The complete tracklisting and guest artists appear below the Amazon links.
Dolly Parton Rockstar Album Tracklisting (and guest artists)
Rockstar (special guest Richie Sambora)
World on Fire
Every Breath You Take (feat. Sting)
Open Arms (feat. Steve Perry)
Magic Man (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
Long As I Can See The Light (feat. John Fogerty)
Either Or (feat. Kid Rock)
I Want You Back (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You (feat. Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
Purple Rain
Baby, I Love Your Way (feat. Peter Frampton)
I Hate Myself For Loving You (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
Night Moves (feat. Chris Stapleton)
Wrecking Ball (feat. Miley Cyrus)
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
Keep On Loving You (feat. Kevin Cronin)
Heart Of Glass (feat. Debbie Harry)
Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (feat. Elton John)
Tried To Rock And Roll Me (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
Stairway To Heaven (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)
We Are The Champions / We Will Rock You
Bygones (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)
My Blue Tears (feat. Simon Le Bon)
What’s Up? (feat. Linda Perry)
You’re No Good (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)
Heartbreaker (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)
Bittersweet (feat. Michael McDonald)
I Dreamed About Elvis (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
Let It Be (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)
Free Bird (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)
3 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationWow! Can’t wait to hear this compilation. She’s amazing and now a Rock Star! How cool!
The Parton/Halford song is very strong. It’s always interesting to hear two distinct vocalists combine to create a Third Voice. Will listen to Ann Wilson next. This album is going to be number one.
Great Beatles cover. Looking forward to her album with rock legends. Dolly is sexy, beautiful with great legs.