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Dolly Parton’s greatest songs, and the stories behind them

Dolly Parton died Tuesday at age 80, leaving behind a legacy as a figure of American mythology. She occupied a unique space in global cultural imagination, described as larger-than-life and then a little bit more.
At the heart of everything she accomplished, Parton was a songwriter who collaborated with Porter Wagoner on 'The Porter Wagoner Show' before departing in 1974. This foundation shaped her entire career.
Her hit 'Jolene' remains one of the best-known country music songs of all time. Parton told NPR in 2008 she wrote it about a flirty bank teller who seemed to take an interest in her husband, Carl Dean.
By the 1980s, Parton fashioned herself as a mainstream Hollywood celebrity, starring in the 1980 film '9 to 5' and collaborating with Kenny Rogers on 'Islands in the Stream.' Both projects cemented her crossover success.
A pivot toward the end of that decade saw Parton embrace roots music, pulling from bluegrass, country, gospel, and Appalachian folk. This shift reinvigorated her career, as heard on 2014's 'Blue Smoke.

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22 Articles

Death of Dolly Parton: Seven Songs to Revisit His Repertoire

The icon of the American country Dolly Parton died at the age of 80, leaving in mourning the legions of fans across the planet.

2 hours ago·Montreal, Canada

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Times of India

Lean Right

Dolly Parton grew up “dirt poor” with 11 siblings. She went on to build an estimated $650 million fortune

Dolly Parton, a legendary entertainer, passed away at eighty years old. Her career spanned nearly six decades, building an extraordinary legacy. Parton's wealth came from music, business ventures, and her stake in Dollywood. She launched the Imagination Library, a global literacy program for children. Her story highlights a transformation from poverty to a philanthropic icon.

2 hours ago·India

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