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Dolly Parton Names the Song She’s Most Proud of Writing, and Her Answer Might Be a Surprise

Dolly Parton Names the Song She’s Most Proud of Writing, and Her Answer Might Be a Surprise

During Parton’s decades-long career, 25 of her songs have reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.

Jason Kempin/Getty Dolly Parton in November 2023Jason Kempin/Getty Dolly Parton in November 2023

Jason Kempin/Getty

Dolly Parton in November 2023

Over the course of his many years of career, Dolly Parton saw 25 of her songs reach number one on the chart Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, but one in particular is close to her heart.

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

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

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“Coat of Many Colors” was released in September 1971, and she talked about writing the track about how her mother sewed a coat from rags for her to wear as a child.

Of course, Parton loves many of the songs she writes. “Of course, “Jolene” is the one that gets recorded the most. I think this is my favorite,” she said. “Did you know that this song has been recorded, as someone 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 of the greatest love songs, so I’m very proud of that too.”

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Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty Dolly Parton in 2022Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty Dolly Parton in 2022

Miller Mobley/NBC via Getty

Dolly Parton in 2022

Elsewhere in the interview, Parton directly addressed rumors that 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 tape, so I wrote them during that time period.”

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

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

Jonathan Brady/PA Images via Getty Images

Dolly Parton in June 2023

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“I always say that I painted myself into a corner. I have to keep all these dreams alive. Every dream turns into something else,” she said.

“When I said I’m not touring anymore, that’s misinformation. I’m still doing shows,” Parton added. “I just don’t do full tours where I go overseas for weeks at a time. I’m older, my husband is older, and I want to be with him more. So no. I couldn’t retire if I wanted to.” to. And I don’t want to.”