Best Dolly Parton Song
Dolly Rebecca Parton grew up in extreme poverty in Appalachian Tennessee, and over the course of a legendary 60-year-and-counting career, would become one of the most important artists in country music. A singer, a songwriter, an actor, a producer, an entrepreneur, and a philanthropist, Dolly has basically done it all – and she’s done it all better than almost anyone. Dolly has released 50 albums, and more than 200 singles, dating back to 1959’s “Puppy Love” to 2025’s “If You Hadn’t Been There.” So join the Great Pop Culture Debate as we pay tribute to a genuine American icon as we attempt to name the Best Dolly Parton Single.
Songs discussed: “Jolene,” “My Tennessee Mountain Home,” “Two Doors Down,” “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That,” “Baby I’m Burnin’,” “Islands in the Stream,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Backwoods Barbie,” “9 to 5,” “Straight Talk,” “Eagle When She Flies,” “Hard Candy Christmas,” “Here You Come Again,” “Joshua,” “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” “Coat of Many Colors”
Join host Eric Rezsnyak, GPCD panelists Curtis Creekmore and Jonny Minogue, and special guest Kevin Rice as they discuss 16 of Dolly’s most beloved singles.
Play along at home by finding the listener bracket here. Make a copy for yourself, fill it out, and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Round 1 Match-Ups:
Not a Patreon subscriber? Here’s a primer on how we came up with the bracket.
Match-Up 1: “Jolene” (1973) (1) vs. “My Tennessee Mountain Home” (1972) (4)
Match-Up 2: “Two Doors Down” (1978) (3) vs. “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That” (1989) (2)
Match-Up 3: “I Will Always Love You” (1974) (1) vs. “Backwoods Barbie” (2009) (4)
Match-Up 4: “Baby I’m Burnin’” (1978) (3) vs. “Islands in the Stream” (w/Kenny Rogers) (1983) (2)
Match-Up 5: “9 to 5” (1980) (1) vs. “Straight Talk” (1992) (4)
Match-Up 6: “Eagle When She Flies” (1991) (3) vs. “Hard Candy Christmas” (1982) (2)
Match-Up 7: “Here You Come Again” (1977) (1) vs. “Joshua” (1970) (4)
Match-Up 8: “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” (1977) (3) vs. “Coat of Many Colors” (1971) (2)
Want a playlist featuring all 16 of the nominated songs, as well as additional Dolly songs suggested by our panelists? Click here to save the Spotify playlist.
Want to play along at home?
Download the Listener Bracket and see if your picks match up with ours!
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Episode Credits
Host: Eric Rezsnyak
Panelist: Curtis Creekmore, Jonny Minogue
Special Guest: Kevin Rice
Producer: Derek Mekita
Editor: Bob Erlenback
Theme Music: “Dance to My Tune” by Marc Torch
