Dolly Parton Names the Song She’s Most Proud of Writing — and Her Answer May Come as a Surprise

Mar. 15, 2025

Dolly Parton in November 2023.Photo:Jason Kempin/Getty

Jason Kempin/Getty

Throughout her decades-long career,Dolly Partonhas seen 25 of her songs reach No. 1 on theBillboardHot Country Songs chart — but one in particular is the most personal to her.In a new interview withThe Guardian, the legendary singer-songwriter, 78, was asked to name the song she’s most proud of from her catalog, and the answer may come as a surprise.“Well, I’m proud of all of them,” said Parton. “I think the one that’s most personal to me is the lil’ ‘Coat of Many Colors,’ because it talks about my mom, my parents, and kind of gives you an insight. It also covers bullying, acceptance and all that.““Coat of Many Colors” was released in September 1971, and she’s spoken about writing the track about howher mom created a coat out of ragsfor her to wear as a child.Of course, Parton is fond of many songs she’s written. “Of course, the one that’s most recorded is ‘Jolene.’ That seems to be the favorite,” she said. “Do you know that song has been recorded, somebody told me, 450 times in the last 52 years? I’m so proud of it.“The Grammy winner added, “And ‘I Will Always Love You’ is one is the great love songs, so I’m very proud of that too.“Dolly Parton in 2022.Miller Mobley/NBC via GettyElsewhere in the interview, Parton set the record straight regarding the rumor she wrote “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” on the same day.“I don’t know if I wrote them on the same day,” she said, “but they were found on the same cassette, and so I wrote them during that period of time.“Parton also opened up about the future of her career and why she “can’t retire.“Dolly Parton in June 2023.Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty ImagesNever miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“I always say I’ve dreamed myself into a corner. I’ve got to keep all those dreams alive. Every dream spins off into some something else,” she said.“It’s misinformation when I said I was not touring any more. I still do shows,” added Parton. “I just don’t go on the full-blown tours where I go overseas for weeks. I’m older, my husband’s older, and I want to be with him more. So, no. I couldn’t retire if I wanted to. And I don’t want to.”

Throughout her decades-long career,Dolly Partonhas seen 25 of her songs reach No. 1 on theBillboardHot Country Songs chart — but one in particular is the most personal to her.

In a new interview withThe Guardian, the legendary singer-songwriter, 78, was asked to name the song she’s most proud of from her catalog, and the answer may come as a surprise.

“Well, I’m proud of all of them,” said Parton. “I think the one that’s most personal to me is the lil’ ‘Coat of Many Colors,’ because it talks about my mom, my parents, and kind of gives you an insight. It also covers bullying, acceptance and all that.”

“Coat of Many Colors” was released in September 1971, and she’s spoken about writing the track about howher mom created a coat out of ragsfor her to wear as a child.

Of course, Parton is fond of many songs she’s written. “Of course, the one that’s most recorded is ‘Jolene.’ That seems to be the favorite,” she said. “Do you know that song has been recorded, somebody told me, 450 times in the last 52 years? I’m so proud of it.”

The Grammy winner added, “And ‘I Will Always Love You’ is one is the great love songs, so I’m very proud of that too.”

Dolly Parton in 2022.Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty

Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty

Elsewhere in the interview, Parton set the record straight regarding the rumor she wrote “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” on the same day.

“I don’t know if I wrote them on the same day,” she said, “but they were found on the same cassette, and so I wrote them during that period of time.”

Parton also opened up about the future of her career and why she “can’t retire.”

Dolly Parton in June 2023.Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images

Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I always say I’ve dreamed myself into a corner. I’ve got to keep all those dreams alive. Every dream spins off into some something else,” she said.

“It’s misinformation when I said I was not touring any more. I still do shows,” added Parton. “I just don’t go on the full-blown tours where I go overseas for weeks. I’m older, my husband’s older, and I want to be with him more. So, no. I couldn’t retire if I wanted to. And I don’t want to.”

source: people.com