I remember when George Harrison died, I thought about his song, “My Sweet Lord,” about how much he wanted to meet God. And I wondered if he did.
I hope it made him happy.
Likewise, when I heard Dolly Parton had died (that will be a “where were you when you heard” story for people, I think. So many of us were rocked) I immediately thought of two songs.
Both might make you cry! I mean, they make me cry for sure.
First, she’s not in the video, and it’s not her song, but you’ll hear her singing the harmony in “When I Get Where I’m Going.”
It’s a rather schmaltzy song, but nevertheless, I hope, when she got where she was going, she met everyone she’d loved and lost.
The second song is her hymn, almost, from the movie Transamerica. This is a live performance from the Academy Awards of “Travelin’ Through:”
“We’re all God’s children, we’re just traveling through.”
We got to be alive at the same time as Dolly Parton. What a gift.
Safe travels, ma’am.
What Dolly songs are you listening to?
I’ve put her on play all week. I grew up with Dolly. My mom absolutely loved her. I was surprised actually how hard her death hit this week. What an awesome human being.
When I heard the news I immediately looked for the video of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning”– a beautiful anthem of hope recorded earlier this year, and one of Dolly’s numerous philanthropic projects. Such talent, and such generosity. Rest easy, Dolly. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McaD2PG8jOE
Even before Dolly’s cameo in “When I Get Where I’m Going”, seeing Dale Earnhardt’s wife standing in front of his portrait was a gut punch. And losing Tim Curry this week also was another. So many legends.
I’m an East TN native who’s lived up by Maryland for over a decade, and I sat at my desk and *sobbed* when the news broke.
I’ve been playing “9 to 5”, “Here You Come Again”, “Jolene” and “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That” at work (family law paralegal, all apropos songs), and sniffling over “I Will Always Love You” and “Coat of Many Colors” at home. I also enjoy reaction videos, and have really appreciated the number of reactors who have finally watched her and said “oh heck, I was not aware of her game, I gotta fix this.”
YouTube served me up a video of Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt performing “After the Gold Rush” on Letterman. I sat there and cried. Not a Neil Young fan, but that was such a beautiful rendition. Dolly was such a special person. She touched everyone in some way. I knew that she gave so much back to the Appalachian community, but I didn’t know that she had founded the Imagination Library, which has gifted over 300 million books to children under the age of 5. There won’t be another like her.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2XcBL6kWn8&list=RDo2XcBL6kWn8&start_radio=1
My boss texted me the news, and I got entire body chills. My favorite quote is one of Dolly: @The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain.” I’ve been listening to my three favorite Dolly songs, all of which have helped me I. tough times: “Eagle When She Flies,” “ Hard Candy Christmas,” and “Better Get To Livin’”. Bless you, Dolly.
“Hard Candy Christmas” but it brings tears to my eyes everytime I think of it. My granddaughters are on her book list, and the titles they receive are so good. I don’t know how the other rich singers and celebrities can live with themselves on their yachts and in their multiple mansions knowing how much she quietly did for the world.
And I’m including many of those who expressed their sadness at her passing.
I’ve been listening to Jolene, both Dolly’s version and Miley Cyrus’ cover of it. That song just breaks my heart of a woman begging another to leave her man alone.
I have been so sad – we have lost such an amazing person. Watching 9 to 5 (on Hulu). For her funeral, she is having the song ‘If we Never Meet Again’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRCYBhVq_kg
aiqon.news, an AI account on Instagram that routinely and effectively roasts the US government, shared a lovely tribute to Dolly. She touched the whole world.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcgfEbTtyiB/?igsi=MTc0a2loZG1pZHoyNg==
On the lighter side, there us this… https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ou5bmXY-1CE. Didn’t telegraph the punch line at all.
I grew up with Dolly, because all my parents listened to was country and gospel. I went to Dollywood in 1986. Still have my t-shirt. I’m a huge fan.
I was in a Walmart parking lot in East Tennessee when I heard about her passing. Turned on the radio, and her “I Will Always Love You” was playing. I cried.
I’ve been seeing butterflies everywhere since.
*Check the ~3:12 mark on the video, and you’ll see Dolly holding a picture.
I’ve been listening to Wildflowers, which she did with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, which is probably one of my favorite of her songs. I did not grow up in a country music house at all, so it wasn’t until I was an adult that I was really introduced to how amazing she was.
Thank you for posting these videos, both lovely.