She must have been workin' 9 to 5 writing all these songs! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for songs you might not know were written by the great Dolly Parton. Our countdown includes songs “Dagger Through the Heart”, “Not Enough”, “Waltz Me to Heaven” and more! Did we open your eyes to any Parton surprises? Let us know in the comments
Category
🎵
MusicTranscript
00:00This is a song that I had out a few months back, and I hope maybe you might enjoy this one.
00:04Welcome to WatchMojo!
00:06And today, we're counting down our picks for songs you might not know were written by the great Dolly Parton.
00:11She's a Whitney band?
00:13Oh, I think it's Dolly-inspired.
00:16Number 18. Too Lonely Too Long, Lucille Starr.
00:21No matter how you're tempted, don't say yes to me.
00:27It's more likely people think the song belongs on a list of songs Dolly Parton covered, as opposed to tracks she actually wrote.
00:35And we say that because there is a 1970 version of the song recorded by Parton herself.
00:40However, that version was released two years after the gorgeous number was first released in 1968, performed by Canadian singer Lucille Starr.
00:49When you're used to being loved, it's hard to live alone.
00:56So it might sound a little odd to say, but the fact is that Too Lonely Too Long was both written by Dolly Parton and covered by her as well.
01:05I've been too lonely, too long.
01:12Number 17. I Lived So Fast and Hard.
01:15Porter Wagner.
01:16Dolly Parton's mother didn't pass away when she was young, and she didn't spend five years in an orphanage.
01:27Given those facts, you could be forgiven for not thinking she wrote, I Lived So Fast and Hard, which has lyrics that speak those statements.
01:34By the time that I had reached 13, I'd been through hell and back.
01:40However, fans of the star already know she didn't grow up wealthy, so the message about living with little means rings true to a young Parton story.
01:49All that to say that while the track was recorded and released by both Porter Wagner and Mel Tillis in the 60s, it was written by the inimitable Dolly Parton.
01:58I've done so much, I've seen so much, and I've lived so fast and hard.
02:04Number 16. In The Good Old Days When Times Were Bad.
02:08Merle Haggard and The Strangers.
02:10No amount of money could buy from me the memories that I have of them.
02:17Given that In The Good Old Days When Times Were Bad was the title of Dolly Parton's third solo studio album,
02:23this one might not come as much of a shock as some others on our list.
02:26However, although the eponymous tune was released in 1968 as the first single from said album,
02:32country fans were already familiar with it thanks to a version released earlier in the year by Merle Haggard and The Strangers.
02:39Anything at all was more than we had in the good old days.
02:45The song has since been covered many other times, including in 2016 by Parton's sister Stella.
02:51So it might be easy to lose sight of who actually wrote it, but it was indeed Dolly herself.
02:58So I longed for a love that I never had in the good old days.
03:04Number 15. Get Out and Stay Out.
03:07Stephanie J. Block.
03:09Face the future, walk into it.
03:13We already know that Parton is a wonderful singer and songwriter, and was one of the stars of the 1980 cult classic 9 to 5.
03:22So it only makes sense that she would have been involved with the 9 to 5, the musical of the late aughts.
03:27Not only was she involved, Parton wrote all the music and lyrics for the show.
03:32One of those songs was the big, penultimate number, Get Out and Stay Out, performed wonderfully in the original Broadway production by Stephanie J. Block.
03:41I'm taking back my love.
03:47In 2011, Parton released her own version of the tune on her Better Day album.
03:52No matter which version you're listening to, though, you'll definitely get chills.
03:56Now that I'm unfettered and I'm blind, you get out!
04:02Number 14. Kentucky Gambler. Merle Haggard and the Strangers.
04:07Wanted more from life than four kids and a wife and a job and a dark Kentucky mind.
04:14We aren't gamblers, but we feel pretty confident that if you asked people who wrote Merle Haggard and the Strangers' number one country hit Kentucky Gambler,
04:22most folks wouldn't know it was Dolly Parton.
04:24In fact, they might assume Haggard penned it since it was his version that came out first, making a splash in 1974.
04:32Lady Luck was on my side and this Kentucky Gambler played just right.
04:37But, of course, few can tell a story through their lyrics quite like Dolly Parton.
04:42And it's her talent on display in this tale of a man who loses the people who matter.
04:47Naturally, she also put out her version of the hit the following year on her The Bargain Store album.
04:51Ain't nobody waiting for the beat. When you ran out, somebody else walked in.
04:59Number 13. Waltz Me to Heaven. Waylon Jennings.
05:03Could I have this dance? It feels like romance.
05:09Dolly Parton has written so many great songs, we can't possibly expect her to have also recorded every single one of them.
05:15Of course, that doesn't mean we don't secretly hope she one day will.
05:20One example of this is Waltz Me to Heaven, the second single from Waylon Jennings' Waylon's Greatest Hits Vol. 2 album.
05:27Honky-tonk angels in heavenly flight.
05:33Fans of the Rhinestone movie will also recognize it from that musical comedy soundtrack.
05:37While the flick itself did indeed star Parton, the gorgeous tune was sung by her brother Floyd on that occasion.
05:43Won't you all speak to heaven tonight?
05:51Number 12. The Company You Keep. Bill Phillips.
05:54Listen to your big brother. I feel I know what's best for you.
06:02Dolly Parton and Bill Phillips both released versions of The Company You Keep in the 60s.
06:06The main difference is that Parton also wrote it.
06:10Well, if we're being specific, she co-wrote it with her uncle Bill Owens.
06:14Naturally, her musical and lyrical mark is all over it.
06:17And what a stunning mark it is, as always.
06:21As the track says, you're known by The Company You Keep.
06:24I know it's fun, you see.
06:28Regardless of which version you prefer, anyone who keeps Musical Company with Dolly Parton
06:33puts themselves in a great position to be known for recording fantastic songs.
06:37The Company You Keep.
06:43Number 11. I'm In No Condition. Hank Williams Jr.
06:48I'm In No Condition was included on Dolly's 1967 album Hello, I'm Dolly,
06:53but has since been revived by Hank Williams Jr.
06:56Williams is the son of a country music legend, but has carved out his own place in the industry
07:07with his blend of southern rock, country, and blues.
07:11Dolly's song allowed him to explore his vulnerable side.
07:14The song's refrain, I'm In No Condition to Try to Love Again,
07:24tells of the hurt experienced in the aftermath of a broken relationship.
07:29Country music loves a breakup song, and Dolly's lyrics are honest and raw.
07:33It's a bit different from All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight,
07:44but once you hear Williams' version, it's hard to believe it was written for anyone else.
07:50Number 10. Fuel to the Flame. Skeeter Davis.
07:53Dolly Parton's fame as a singer is part and parcel of her blonde bombshell image,
07:58but her initial success came with songwriting.
08:00Do you remember the first time I was ever on radio?
08:03Yeah, the Kaz Walker show. He was about 10 years old and...
08:07Her first hits were co-written with the aforementioned Uncle Bill Owens
08:10shortly after she arrived in Nashville.
08:13Every time you kiss me...
08:18One of these singles was Fuel to the Flame,
08:20a ballad of burgeoning love with lyrics full of yearning and unanswered questions.
08:25Skeeter Davis released it in 1967, and it charted in the top 10.
08:29Davis was one of the first women in country music to gain major success as a solo artist,
08:35and she was an acknowledged influence on Dolly.
08:38Please don't ask me to love you.
08:43Fuel to the Flame became her first major hit in two years.
08:47The song helped to fuel Davis' career and also to launch Dolly's.
08:51If you're not going to change my name...
08:58Number 9. Put It Off Until Tomorrow, Bill Phillips.
09:02Another song that garnered chart success during Dolly's early songwriting period was Put It Off Until Tomorrow.
09:08You say our love is over...
09:12It was released by country singer Bill Phillips and was to become his biggest hit,
09:18peaking at number 6 on the country charts.
09:21Dolly sings backing vocals on the track, although these are uncredited.
09:25But leave me tomorrow...
09:31Parton soon came to the attention of Monument Records, who signed her to their label.
09:36We know this wouldn't be the only time Parton wrote a tune for Phillips,
09:40and it acts as another testament to her unparalleled abilities with a pen.
09:44But you're known by the company you keep...
09:53Number 8. Not Enough, Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton.
09:57While primarily a country artist, Dolly's songwriting is not limited to that field.
10:02She also loves a musical.
10:04And over the years, she's written many songs for film soundtracks.
10:08This includes 9 to 5 and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.
10:18Joyful Noise is a movie musical from 2012 starring Dolly, Queen Latifah and Jeremy Jordan.
10:25It received mixed reviews, but was praised for its music.
10:28The gospel-infused soundtrack was written by Mervyn Warren.
10:32But Dolly contributed three of her own songs.
10:35There's not enough love in our heart.
10:39From here to the moon and back is classic Dolly.
10:42But the opening number, Not Enough, is a rousing gospel chorus.
10:46Led by Queen Latifah and Dolly herself, it throws you straight into the world of the movie.
10:51Not enough, not enough, not enough love.
10:55Not enough, not enough, not enough love.
10:59Number 7. Rainbowland, Miley Cyrus.
11:02Miley Cyrus has made quite a journey from Disney Channel child star to the artist we know today.
11:08Her godmother, Dolly Parton, has been behind her through all of it.
11:11Somebody here who wants to see you.
11:12Dad, I'm not in the mood to see anybody right now.
11:15Well, fine.
11:16They've even performed together.
11:21On Miley's album, Younger Now, Dolly joined her to co-write the track Rainbowland.
11:26Living in a rainbow land, where everything goes as planned and I smile.
11:33The name of the song comes from Cyrus' home studio, which she had painted rainbow colors,
11:38and where she began building her new album.
11:40Living in a rainbow land, where you and I go hand in hand, where I belong.
11:47But the duet itself is a simple song with a message of hope and unity.
11:51Dolly describes it as a song for the times right now, saying, quote,
11:55It's really just about dreaming and hoping that we could all do better.
12:00We are rainbows with you.
12:02Every color, every hue that shines up.
12:06Number 6. To Daddy, Emmylou Harris.
12:10Story songs are an integral part of the country music canon, and To Daddy shows off some of Dolly Parton's sharpest lyrics.
12:18Written from a child's perspective, it tells the tale of a wife and mother.
12:22She never wanted to be more than mother and a wife.
12:28Her family takes it for granted that her life as a neglected homemaker is enough for her,
12:32and she never complains about her lot.
12:34He haven't left her all alone.
12:38She didn't mind the staying home if she did.
12:42But when her kids are old enough, she leaves to find the things she really needs,
12:46leaving behind a letter that blindsides her husband.
12:49I have needed you so long, but I just can't keep holding on.
12:56Emmylou Harris released the song as a single in 1977, where it reached number 3 in the Hot Country Billboard charts.
13:04Harris' gentle performance engages the listener, but Parton's lyrics are deceptively hard-hitting.
13:11Goodbye to Daddy.
13:18Number 5. Circle of Love, Jennifer Nettles.
13:21We ain't getting no presents for Christmas, Daddy.
13:23Circle of Love is the title track for Dolly Parton's Christmas of Many Colors, Circle of Love,
13:29a made-for-TV holiday movie from 2016.
13:32The film tells the story of a Christmas during Dolly's childhood in the Smoky Mountains.
13:36Circle of Love, Halo of Life
13:43Her family goes through some tough times,
13:46but ultimately gets through it thanks to their love for each other and a little bit of faith.
13:51The titular song was penned by Dolly herself.
13:54When let the hand blow
13:56In a circle of love
14:01Singer-songwriter Jennifer Nettles played Dolly's mother in the movie.
14:05She released the song on her solo Christmas album that same year.
14:08Happy birthday, dear Jesus
14:11Let us lift you up
14:15The track has a waltzing rhythm and simple, heartfelt lyrics relating to the Christmas story.
14:22Number 4. Dagger Through the Heart, Sinead O'Connor.
14:25Although most of the songs on this list were written for the artists,
14:29there are some great covers out there too.
14:31Oh, you're out there tonight
14:36With another
14:38Just Because I'm a Woman, Songs of Dolly Parton is a compilation album and a tribute from fellow artists.
14:46It brings together well-known singers who cover tracks from Dolly's back catalog.
14:50The most out-there arrangement comes from singer-songwriter Sinead O'Connor.
14:55The late musician made Dolly's 2002 single Dagger Through the Heart her own.
14:59She was drawn to the, quote, anger of the lyric,
15:02but perhaps the video struck a chord with her too.
15:05It's like a dagger's fruit
15:09After recording the song, Sinead was overwhelmed to learn that Dolly was influenced by O'Connor's memorable video for Nothing Compares to You.
15:19Number 3. The Stranger, Kenny Rogers.
15:22The Stranger features on Kenny Rogers' 1984 album What About Me,
15:26another story song from Dolly.
15:28It's a heart-wrenching tale about an absent parent,
15:32this time told from a man's perspective.
15:34Stranger, I know where you'll find her
15:37Down the road from here
15:38About a mile and a quarter
15:40The narrator meets the father he never knew,
15:43but The Stranger is at least 10 years too late.
15:46The son has no time for the man who abandoned him and left his late mother to live a hard life.
15:52Call her name, but she won't hear you
15:54She's in the graveyard near you
15:57Parton and Rogers were long-time singing partners and collaborators.
16:02They released their revered Christmas album just a month after What About Me was unveiled.
16:07The tone is very different, but Dolly brings her songwriting magic to both.
16:11Although she is sometimes referred to as the queen of rock and roll,
16:23Tina Turner kicked off her solo career with a country album.
16:26Tina Turns the Country On was her first solo outing from then-husband and bandmate Ike Turner.
16:37The new 10-track album features a who's who of country stars on the songwriting staff.
16:49Bob Dylan, James Taylor, Chris Christofferson, Hank Snow, and Dolly Parton all took a turn.
16:55Dolly's contribution was a piano ballad that showed off Turner's soulful vocals.
17:06Although the album didn't chart, Turner did bag a Grammy nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
17:13Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
17:24You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
17:28If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
17:32It might sound odd to say that a song Parton made one of the highest selling of 1974 is one some often forget she wrote.
17:53But that is the case with I Will Always Love You.
17:55And there's really only one person to affectionately blame for that.
18:00Whitney Houston.
18:02While Parton's version was a hit, Houston's cover, off of the Bodyguard soundtrack, was a cultural phenomenon.
18:13Not only was it the top single of 1993, it also found a comfortable home atop the Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for a whopping 14 weeks.
18:23The ballad broke sales records and hit the number one spot on charts worldwide, too.
18:27Dolly Parton did a beautiful job creating it, but Houston will forever be associated with this masterpiece.
18:41Did we open your eyes to any Parton surprises?
18:44Let us know in the comments.
18:45Did you enjoy this video?
18:52Check out these other clips from WatchMojo.
18:54And be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.