In November 2022, the one and only Dolly Parton was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She initially declined the nomination because she felt she didn't deserve to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as she wasn't a rock artist. Dolly Parton, as we know, is a very country artist. You might know her song "9 to 5" from the movie of the same name. (Yes, I hope it's stuck in your head. *evil cackle*) After she decided to accept her nomination, she came out and said she was going to make a rock album to really earn her place. Well, on November 17th, 2023, her rock album, Rockstar, came out. Trust me, she's more than earned her place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Here's my review of this 30-song album. Yes, 30 songs. It's incredible. Since it's so many songs, I didn't review the entire album, just the songs that really stuck out to me.
Note: any songs marked with three stars like this: *** are all original songs.
Rockstar***
This song is so cheeky. I love it. I'm here for the cheekiness. While it's not my favorite of Dolly's original songs, I can appreciate the sound of it. It's got everything a rock song should have. The drums, the guitar, the angry vibe. It's a great start for Dolly's rock album. It grabs your attention, and that's just perfect.
World on Fire***
This song made me fall in love with the album before it was even released. This is a heavily political song, which is such on brand for rock. Rock artists have always been about fighting the man or talking (screaming) about injustice. While other genres do the same thing, rock is loud about it. This song is about the political climate and how all the politicians care about themselves. No one is going to win because they have no heart.
Every Breath You Take (ft. Sting from The Police)
So, this song, much like "Possession" by Sarah McLachlan, sounds all sweet, right? You think it's a love song, but, like, it's not. This song, like "Possession," is about a stalker. This is a stalker song. The Police never intended for this song to be a love song at all. Yet, Dolly singing it adds a completely new meaning to it. A new dimension. Instead of it being a creepy stalker song, it's instead about grief and loss. It could be read as losing someone. The way she's singing this song completely changes the meaning of it. This isn't my favorite song from The Police (not the biggest The Police fan, tbh, sue me), yet, I enjoy Dolly's version. Honestly, it made me tear up a bit. It's a beautiful rendition.
Open Arms (ft. Steve Perry from Journey)
This is probably one of my favorite songs from this album. Not that I don't have more, because I totally do. First, you can never go wrong with Journey. This is one of my favorite songs by Journey, so Dolly singing it, yes. This is already a powerful love ballad. It's about trying to mend bridges and fix what was broken. Dolly singing it makes it almost a lullaby. It's like she's crooning to you. You can't help but listen. No doubt, hearing her sing this song makes you think of the one you love. Then Steve Perry comes in, and it's like they are reaching out with their hands to fix things.
Magic Man (ft. Ann Wilson from Heart)
Now personally, this isn't my favorite song on this song. I love Heart. I think the problem is that it's slowed down, and it does a disservice to Dolly. It's like she's trying to play catch up to the drums and guitar in the background. It gets better in the chorus, however. But at the beginning of it, her voice, which is perfection, gets a bit lost. I like her twang when she sings certain words. I think that adds a certain cheekiness to this song. I appreciate that a lot. As someone with a twang, especially when she sings, I love that Dolly is unapologetically her. She doesn't try to change her twang or soften it. She embraces it and adds something different to these rock songs.
Long As I Can See the Light (ft. John Fogerty from the Credence Clearwater Band)
Just like with "Open Arms," this song becomes a croon. She and John Fogerty sound beautiful together. I need another word, but it's true. I love the simplicity of this song. The simple lyrics. Also, the simple instruments in the background. It isn't complex. This is perhaps odd for a rock song since rock is known for guitar riffs and drums. Yet, this works for this song. Also, I love the saxophone. We need to bring saxophones back to the music scene. Please.
Either Or (ft. Kid Rock)***
Listen, I'm not a fan of Kid Rock. However, if ever there was a rock duet that somehow worked with him, it would be this song. The guitar. The anger and sass in Dolly's voice. It's perfect. She's telling him to shape up or walk away. It's reminiscent of songs like "Heartbreaker" (featured later on this album) and even "I Will Survive." That sort of power rock ballad. I may not like Kid Rock, but I do like this song. Perhaps not my favorite, but I can rock to it. (Pun so intended.)
I Want You Back (ft. Steven Tyler)***
Again, I'm not a fan of Steven Tyler or Aerosmith. What I find most impressive is how well Dolly can blend with such a variety of singers. (More on that later) Besides "World On Fire," this might be one of my favorite original songs. It's so sweet yet so sad. Dolly wants this guy she hurt back, and Steven Tyler takes the place of that guy, and he's saying the same thing. It's so good. I love a good rock ballad. (Seriously, my favorite Metallica song is "Nothing Else Matters.") And this is definitely a rock ballad. Go, Dolly. It's perfect.
What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done for You (ft. Stevie Nicks)
Listen, I LOVE Stevie Nicks. I am seeing her in March with Mom. While I love this collab, my favorite part is the cute talking bit between Stevie and Dolly. It's sassy and quirky. You can tell they're both having fun with it. This entire song is fun. It's one of those songs that you'd pop on when it's a girl's night. And yeah, we'd be drinking champagne. Stevie and Dolly work so well together. They both have distinctive voices, yet they don't drown each other out. Also, this is a great song. It's like, hey, I did it, and I'm here.
Purple Rain
Ouch. That's all I have to say about this song. I love Prince. Seriously, I love Prince. He's one of my favorite artists (I have a few, keep in mind). But wow. I never knew I needed this version of "Purple Rain" until suddenly it was here. This song, sung by Dolly in her crooning voice, makes this song, which was already sad, somehow even sadder. It made both Mom and I tear up like the saps we secretly are. I know I've used this word several times in this post already, but this version is beautiful. No, it's breathtaking. I think that if Prince was still alive, he would love this version too. It does his song and his music justice. Completely. It's completely blown up on social media too.
Baby, I Love Your Way (ft. Peter Frampton)
You know, it's a bit funny, but I forgot that I knew this song until I heard Dolly's version. Then I heard hers, and I went, OH. I KNOW THIS SONG. I had a moment. We all know I'm a musicphile so I know a lot of music. I knew all her covers. This song is sweet. It reminds me of a wedding song. I can picture a bride and groom dancing to this song. There is something so easy and sweet about this song. Also, do we see a common theme in this album? Because I certainly do. (More on that.)
I Hate Myself For Loving You (ft. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts)
Joan Jett and Pat Benatar rocked in an age when women weren't wanted in the rock scene. It was hard. It was tough. I imagine Dolly struggled in the same way, if not slightly different. I love the interaction between Joan and Dolly. Honestly, I could've used more of these types of interactions on this album. They're perfect. This song is a slower pace than the original. Yet, it doesn't take away from the song. And again, I fucking love Dolly's twang. She's making me want to embrace my twang when I sing. Just like with every other person on this album, Dolly seamlessly blends with Joan.
Night Moves (ft. Chris Stapleton)
So this is one of my favorite Bob Seger songs. Seriously. It was on my On Repeat playlist on Spotify. This song is about adolescent love and remembering that. I think we can all relate to that. That first love. When you think you're invincible. When you're awkward. When you're doing everything to fit in. Just the essence of being a teenager. It's great. Yes. Thank you, Dolly. Also, you can never go wrong with Chris Stapleton. His voice is perfection.
Wrecking Ball (ft. Miley Cyrus)
Some of my favorite episodes of Hannah Montana were with Dolly Parton or "Aunt Dolly" as she went by. She's actually Miley Cyrus' real-life godmother. She and Miley have always been close. Miley had to do some extreme things to get away from being Hannah Montana. This song came out during that song. I've always loved this song. So much that I love the acoustic violin cover they did of "Wrecking Ball" in Bridgerton. I didn't think this song could be more heartbreaking.
I was wrong.
Dolly adds her own spin, and oh, ouch. It's perfect.
Let It Be (ft. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr)
I'm going to admit something that might make everyone gasp.
I don't like The Beatles.
Yes. I said that. I don't like The Beatles. There are maybe four songs I like of theirs. Hey Jude, Blackbird, and Let It Be. Sorry, three songs. But this song? Oh, I need more duets between Dolly Parton and Paul McCartney because their voices are perfection.
It's impressive how Dolly changes the meaning of these songs by how she sings them.
Dolly didn't choose just any rock songs. She chose a nice range of rock songs. We have Journey, Prince, Queen, Credence Clearwater Band, REO Speedwagon, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Heart, Pat Benatar, Stevie Nicks, Elton John, and Blondie, to name a few. All big--huge--names in the rock scene, yet all of them are so very different in how they approach rock. Each of the artists on these albums impacted the music scene. Are they all rock? Yes. They are. Undoubtedly. Yet, they aren't the same.
Dolly Parton seamlessly sings these rock songs yet also blends in with the artists of these songs. She's got a distinctive voice, yet somehow she can sing with Stevie Nicks, Kid Rock, Steven Tyler, Joan Jett, and Pat Benatar. That is incredibly impressive.
So, there's 15/30 songs. If you want to know about the others, you'll have to check out the rock album yourself.
Let me know what you think in the comments!
-K
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