Top 10 Dolly Parton Songs

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This article is dedicated to the memory of Dolly Parton, who passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80. It is our tribute to one of the most beloved, influential, and extraordinary artists in the history of American music. Her songs, spirit, generosity, and unmistakable personality touched generations of fans around the world, and her legacy will live on forever.

Our Top 10 Dolly Parton Songs list takes a long look at one of music’s multifaceted artists. She was a singer, songwriter, actress, author, and businesswoman. She basically did it all. Parton sold more than 100 million records worldwide. Her remarkable chart history included 25 Billboard country number-one hits, more than 50 Top 10 country songs, and a record 44 Top 10 country albums. Parton won numerous awards throughout her career. In addition to her music career, she was an accomplished actress. She starred in 9 to 5 (1980), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), Rhinestone (1984), Steel Magnolias (1989), Straight Talk (1992), and Joyful Noise (2012). Her business ventures included Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park that became one of the most recognizable parts of the entertainment empire she built. Let’s get to know Dolly Parton a little better.

Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Locust Ridge, Tennessee, the fourth of 12 children. She grew up in a poor family and got her start singing in church. She sang on local radio and television programs as a child and made a guest appearance at the Grand Ole Opry when she was 13. After graduating from high school in 1964, she moved to Nashville. She wrote songs with her uncle Bill Owens for other artists. Two songs they wrote became Top 10 country hits for Bill Phillips in 1966. Parton recorded for Monument Records from 1965 to 1967, and her breakthrough as a recording artist came with the country singles “Dumb Blonde” and “Something Fishy.”

Dolly Parton released her debut album Hello, I’m Dolly in 1967. The album peaked at number 11 on the country chart. It features the singles “Dumb Blonde” and “Something Fishy.” She released a duet album with Porter Wagoner, Just Between You and Me, in 1968. It peaked at number eight on the country chart. It features the singles “The Last Thing on My Mind” and “Just Between You and Me.” Parton released another solo album called Just Because I’m a Woman in 1968. It peaked at number 22 on the country chart. It features the single “Just Because I’m a Woman.”

Dolly Parton and Wagoner released another album, Just the Two of Us, in 1968. The album peaked at number five on the country chart and number 184 on the Billboard 200. It features the singles “Holding on to Nothin’,” “We’ll Get Ahead Someday,” and “Jeannie’s Afraid of the Dark.” Parton’s next solo album, In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad), was released in 1969. The album peaked at number 15 on the country chart. It features the single “In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad).” Parton and Wagoner released Always, Always in 1969. The album peaked at number five on the country chart and number 162 on the Billboard 200. It features the singles “Yours Love” and “Always, Always.” Parton and Wagoner would go on to release several more duet albums.

Dolly Parton released My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy in 1969. It peaked at number six on the country chart and number 194 on the Billboard 200. It features “Daddy,” “In the Ghetto,” and “My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy.” The hitmaker released The Fairest of Them All in 1970. The album peaked at number 13 on the country chart. It features “Daddy Come and Get Me.” The Golden Streets of Glory was released in 1971. It peaked at number 22 on the country chart and includes gospel standards such as “Wings of a Dove” and “I Believe.” Joshua was released in 1971. The album peaked at number 16 on the country chart and number 198 on the Billboard 200. It features the single “Joshua,” which became Parton’s first solo number-one country hit.

Coat of Many Colors was released in 1971. The album peaked at number seven on the country chart. It features the singles “My Blue Tears” and “Coat of Many Colors.” Touch Your Woman was released in 1972. It peaked at number 19 on the country chart. It features the single “Touch Your Woman.” My Tennessee Mountain Home came out in 1973. It features the single “My Tennessee Mountain Home.” The autobiographical album became one of Parton’s most enduring artistic statements even though it was not one of her biggest commercial releases.

She released Bubbling Over in 1973. It peaked at number 14 on the country chart. It features “Traveling Man.” Jolene was released in 1974. It peaked at number six on the country chart. It features the singles “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” Love Is Like a Butterfly was also released in 1974. It peaked at number seven on the country chart. The album features the number-one country single “Love Is Like a Butterfly.”

The Bargain Store came out in 1975. It features the number-one title single “The Bargain Store.” Parton released Dolly: The Seeker / We Used To in 1975. The album peaked at number 14 on the country chart. It features the singles “The Seeker” and “We Used To.” All I Can Do came out in 1976. The album peaked at number three on the country chart. It features the singles “Hey, Lucky Lady,” “All I Can Do,” and “Shattered Image.”

New Harvest…First Gathering was released in 1977. It peaked at number one on the country chart and number 71 on the Billboard 200. It features “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” “You Are,” “Applejack,” and “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher.” Here You Come Again was released in 1977. The album peaked at number one on the country chart and number 20 on the Billboard 200. It features the singles “Here You Come Again,” “Two Doors Down,” “It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right,” and “Me and Little Andy.”

She released Heartbreaker in 1978. It peaked at number one on the country chart and number 27 on the Billboard 200. It features the singles “Heartbreaker,” “It’s Too Late to Love Me Now,” “Baby I’m Burnin’,” and “I Really Got the Feeling.” Great Balls of Fire was released in 1979. The album peaked at number four on the country chart and number 40 on the Billboard 200. It features the singles “You’re the Only One,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Sweet Summer Lovin’,” and “Star of the Show.”

Dolly, Dolly, Dolly came out in 1980. It peaked at number seven on the country chart. The album features the singles “Starting Over Again” and “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You.” 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs was released in 1980. The album peaked at number one on the country chart and number 11 on the Billboard 200. It spent 10 consecutive weeks at number one on the country chart. It features the singles “9 to 5,” “But You Know I Love You,” and “The House of the Rising Sun.” Parton released many more albums throughout the decades that followed, continuing to record country, bluegrass, gospel, pop, and rock music.

Dolly Parton had one of the longest and most remarkable careers in popular music. She released dozens of solo albums as well as celebrated duet and collaborative recordings. She helped pave the way for generations of female country singers and achieved enormous crossover success without losing the songwriting voice that made her distinctive. She also succeeded in Hollywood, television, theater, business, and philanthropy. Compiling a list of just 10 songs was a challenge because Parton recorded so many memorable singles. This Top 10 Dolly Parton Songs list features some of our favorites.

# 10 – “Joshua”

The first song on our Top 10 Dolly Parton Songs list is “Joshua” from the album of the same name. The song has a country beat. The song tells the story of a young woman who visits a reclusive man named Joshua whom people have warned her about. Instead of finding the frightening person she expected, she discovers a lonely man, and the story develops into an unlikely romance. This is a different type of song. Most artists sing love songs, but this one approaches the subject through a character-driven story. Parton’s storytelling on this track was pure genius. The song has a hard-driving country beat, and “Joshua” became Parton’s first solo number-one country hit.

The song features guitar, bass, cello, and drums. There’s no mistaking that this is a traditional country song. It’s perfect for dancing. The song’s arrangement sounds similar to country singer Johnny Cash’s music. She sounds pretty good on the track. She speeds through the lyrics as if she’s rapping in it. She shows control as she races through the story. She holds little notes toward the end of the song. Her voice is pleasant on the ear.

# 9 – “The Bargain Store”

The next song on our Top 10 Dolly Parton Songs list is “The Bargain Store” from the album of the same name. It has a country sound. The metaphorical song compares a heart damaged by a failed relationship to merchandise in a bargain store. Some radio stations reportedly objected to the song because they interpreted its metaphor as sexually suggestive, but it still became a number-one country hit. Parton proved that she didn’t want to play it safe. She was willing to use an unusual metaphor to write about emotional damage and the possibility of loving again.

The arrangement has a somber beat to match the serious subject. It doesn’t sound like a traditional country song throughout. The guitar riffs give the song a country feel, but the rest of the instrumentation makes it sound like a blend of country and adult contemporary. She wears her heart on her sleeve as she passionately describes a woman trying to recover from a broken relationship. She does an excellent job on the track.

# 8 – “Starting Over Again”

The anthemic song is from the Dolly, Dolly, Dolly album. It has a country-pop sound. The heartbreaking song is about a middle-aged couple who separate after decades of marriage and have to rebuild their lives. Here is some trivia about the song. Donna Summer and Bruce Sudano wrote it, and the story was based on the divorce of Sudano’s parents. The track starts slowly and builds to a climactic finish. It doesn’t sound like anything else Dolly Parton had recorded at the time. It has crossover appeal. The music sounds like a blend of pop and adult contemporary. The soothing piano chords help drive the emotion of the recording. Parton’s vocals are extraordinary. She pours her heart out as she tells the story of a marriage coming to an end. She sings the song as if she went through the problem personally. She showed outstanding range on this track and turned it into a power ballad toward the end.

# 7 – “Heartbreaker”

The breakup song is from the album of the same name. It has a country-pop sound. The song is about a man breaking a woman’s heart. Parton was deliberately reaching toward the pop world during this period, and “Heartbreaker” reflects that crossover direction. The song has slick and polished pop production. The guitar gives the song a country edge, while the rest of the arrangement pushes it toward pop and adult contemporary. The music is moving and refreshing, and the production keeps the spotlight on her vocals.

The lyrics are relevant because many people have been in relationships like this one. Many artists sing songs about heartbreak, but she made it sound fresh. It’s easy to get lost in the music and her vocals. She starts the song softly as she talks about the pain she feels about losing a love. Her phrasing is flawless. She sings every lyric in time with the beat. She doesn’t need to belt to make the song work. The song is about heartbreak, but her vocals are tender and pure.

# 6 – “Here You Come Again”

The captivating song on our Dolly Parton songs list is from the album of the same name. The track has a country-pop beat. The sentimental song is about being unable to get over someone. This is a relatable story because people have been in love and struggled to move on. Written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, “Here You Come Again” became Parton’s first major pop crossover hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 while also topping the country chart. Parton wanted to broaden her audience without completely abandoning her country identity, and producer Gary Klein brought pedal steel guitarist Al Perkins into the recording to help preserve that connection.

This was a good choice because it kept part of her country style while creating something new for her. The music begins with memorable keyboard chords that immediately establish the song’s pop character. The pedal steel gives the recording the country touch she wanted. Her Southern charm shines brightly in the song. It’s hard not to smile while listening to her sing this track. The chorus is memorable and will stay in your head after she’s finished singing it.

# 5 – “Love Is Like a Butterfly”

The next song on our Top 10 Dolly Parton Songs list is “Love Is Like a Butterfly” from the album of the same name. The track has a country beat. It’s a poetic song that uses the image of a butterfly to describe the delicate and uplifting feeling of love. Parton wrote the metaphorical lyrics herself. People of different ages could appreciate this song. The subject matter of love has been done countless times, but Parton’s butterfly imagery gives the song its own identity. It shows how creative Dolly Parton was when it came to songwriting.

She was a truly gifted songwriter and knew how to tell a creative story. The music sounds like a blend of country and folk. The music is light and breezy like a spring day. The arrangement is restrained, which was a wise choice because it didn’t need too much instrumentation. The music doesn’t overpower her vocals. She sings the song softly, and she’s laid-back vocally on the recording.

# 4 – “Jolene”

The cautionary song is from the album of the same name. The song has a country sound. The song is a vulnerable plea from a woman asking another woman not to take the man she loves. Here is some trivia about the song. Parton explained that the story was inspired by a red-haired bank teller who paid a little too much attention to her husband, Carl Dean. The name “Jolene,” however, came from a young fan Parton met and remembered because she loved the sound of the girl’s name. The song was written decades ago, but its fear, jealousy, and vulnerability still resonate today.

The music is energetic despite the subject matter. It has enough tempo to make you get up and dance. It has a traditional country sound with a touch of rock energy. The guitar riff is unforgettable. Parton sounds vulnerable and determined on this track. She manages not to sound weak as she pleads with “Jolene” not to take her man. Dolly Parton uses vibrato throughout the song without overdoing it. Her performance gives the song the tension that has kept it compelling for generations.

# 3 – “I Will Always Love You”

The emotional song is from the Jolene album. It has a country sound. The sentimental song was written as Parton’s farewell to her professional partnership with Porter Wagoner. It’s easy to forget that Dolly Parton originally recorded this song because it later became so closely associated with Whitney Houston. Parton’s recording reached number one on the country chart in 1974, and a new recording of the song returned to number one on the country chart in 1982. Parton’s version has a country sound, while Houston’s recording transforms it into a huge pop ballad. The music is moving and emotional. The slow, melodic arrangement makes it easy to get lost in the song.

The song is touching and beautiful. It makes listeners feel emotion while listening. Parton’s voice is tender and sweet in the song. It’s easy to tell this song hits close to home for her. She is practically telling someone goodbye in this song. She doesn’t do the same vocal gymnastics as Whitney Houston, but she does utilize some runs in the song. She holds little notes toward the end of the track. Parton’s restrained delivery is one of the qualities that makes her original so moving. People who first knew Houston’s version may be surprised by the simplicity of Parton’s recording. Both versions are beautiful and deserve a listen.

# 2 – “9 to 5”

The anthemic song is from the 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs album. It has a country-pop sound. This bouncy song is from the movie of the same name. It has an inspirational feel as she sings about working hard while also taking aim at workplace inequality and bosses who take advantage of employees. This relatable song still holds true today. It is an old-school song that doesn’t sound dated at all. Anyone who has felt underpaid, overlooked, or denied credit at work can relate to the song. The energetic beat is guaranteed to get you out of your seat. We dare you to sit still while this song is playing. It definitely has crossover appeal. It doesn’t sound like traditional country music. Parton sings this working-person’s anthem with so much passion. She kills the slinky chorus. The catchy and infectious chorus will stay in your head long after it’s done. This fantastic song could have made it to number one on our list if it weren’t for the one we picked.

# 1 – “Islands in the Stream”

The number one song on our Top 10 Dolly Parton Songs list is “Islands in the Stream” from Kenny Rogers’ Eyes That See in the Dark album. It has a country, soft rock, and pop sound. The loving song is about a couple devoted to each other. Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees wrote the song. It was reshaped from its R&B origins into the recording that became a massive duet for Rogers and Parton. Released in 1983, “Islands in the Stream” reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as the country and adult contemporary charts.

The decision to pair them was a great one because they did a superb job together. This is one of the best country duets of all time. The musical arrangement is fabulous because it complements both of their voices. His deep, velvet vocals perfectly complement her soprano. Their voices blend well together. They give each other room to shine on the song. Some duos tend to out-sing each other, but Rogers and Parton were perfect partners here. They later recorded the 1984 Christmas album Once Upon a Christmas together and reunited for other recordings and performances. Everything about this song works. It’s absolutely flawless. The infectious song will remain in your head even when it’s done. It deserves the number one spot on our list.