EPISODE 146

There are icons, and then there’s Dolly Parton. The country singer-turned-actress-turned-cultural phenomenon has produced a nearly unparalleled body of work, in both quantity (Parton is the sole or co-author of more than three thousand songs) and in legacy. Despite releasing her first album over 60 years ago, Parton’s songs are still covered and performed live by today’s pop artists. Presidential candidates are still selecting her songs as official walk-on music. So what is it exactly that makes her music so enduring? Today, we select four essential Dolly songs for dissection and try to answer that big question with the help of composer, longtime radio-maker and host of the new hit podcast, Dolly Parton’s America—Jad Abumrad. Whether or not you identify as a Dolly Parton fan, or even a country music fan, we think you’ll love this one.

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Thanks to Jad, producer Shima Oliaee and the rest of the Dolly Parton’s America team. Clips from there show are a production of WNYC Studios and Osm Audio. You can check out the eight episodes they’ve released so far, and keep an eye out for the final one at www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/dolly-partons-america.

SONGS DISCUSSED

Dolly Parton - Dumb Blonde

Dolly Parton - Down from Dover

Dolly Parton - Jolene

Dolly Parton - Light of a Clear Blue Morning

Kesha - Praying

Mariah Carey - Hero

Andra Day - Rise Up

Dolly Parton - 9 to 5

Stevie Wonder - I Wish

Dolly Parton - Mule Skinner Blues