Dolly Parton and Olivia Newton-John came together for the first time to reimagine Dolly’s timeless hit “Jolene." The original version of the song was ranked No. 63 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time" in 2021. This new version is the last song and music video Olivia recorded before her passing in 2022 and is included on her upcoming album Just the Two of Us: The Duets Collection.
"My first memory of Olivia was when her song ‘Let Me Be There’ was a hit. I have loved her ever since,” Dolly shared. "We had many occasions that we got to share together, either backstage or performing on the same shows, and I loved every moment that I ever got to spend with her. I've always been inspired by her grit, tenderness, willingness, and determination.”
“I have always wanted to record with Dolly,” said the late Olivia Newton-John during an interview in 2021. “She was always there for me and what she did for me early on in my career in Nashville is something I will never forget.”
Dolly and Olivia became friends after Olivia won 1974’s Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year award. To this day, Olivia is the only non-American born artist to win the award. As a nod to their friendship, Olivia recorded an acclaimed version of Dolly’s “Jolene” for her 1976 seventh studio album Come On Over which received critical praise from fans and industry alike.
"My last memory of Olivia was when I sang with her on my song ‘Jolene’ which she recorded for an album not so very long ago," Dolly continued. "I cannot wait to hear that album and Olivia may you rest in peace. You left a spot that no one else will ever fill."
“This duet seems like the perfect bookend to their decades-long friendship,” said Michael Caprio, Olivia's longtime publicist and friend of nearly 25 years. “Knowing that Dolly was there at the start of Olivia’s US Country music career and here she is, one half of a duet of Olivia’s final recording, is pretty special.”
“Jolene” introduces Just The Two of Us, a 17-track duets album releasing May 5, 2023 (on both vinyl and CD) featuring Olivia with artists including Mariah Carey, Michael McDonald, John Travolta, Barry Gibb, Vanessa Amorossi, Jon Secada, her daughter Chloe Lattanzi, and more, with some never-before-released on CD and vinyl recordings.
Dolly's newly recorded rendition of "Jolene" with Olivia Newton-John is now available on all streaming platforms. Just the Two of Us: The Duets Collection will be released on May 5, 2023 and is now available to pre-save.
Adding another accolade to her illustrious career, Dolly Parton earns a well-deserved spot in the record books. Featured in the pages of the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2018 Edition, the singer-songwriter was recently recognized for holding records for the Most Decades with a Top 20 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart and Most Hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart by a Female Artist.
To make it official, Guinness World Records visited Dolly in Nashville recently to present her with record title certificates and sit down for an exclusive interview. Watch the presentation and Q&A in this video.
“To receive these two Guinness World Records is so great!” Dolly said. “Joining so many wonderful singers and songwriters who have been honored this way feels so special to me. You never know when you start out with your work how it’s going to turn out, but to have these two world records makes me feel very humbled and blessed!”
Surpassing fellow country music icons, George Jones, Elvis Presley and Reba McEntire, Dolly is the only artist with Top 20 hits across six consecutive decades (1960s–2010s), earning her the title of Most Decades with a Top 20 Hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart. Beginning with her first Top 20 entry, "Something Fishy" in 1967, she’s a credited artist on a further 73 Top 20 hits, including her most recent, a new version of her beloved 1974 title "Jolene," featuring acapella quintet Pentatonix, which debuted at No.18 on the chart dated October 8, 2016.
The 2016 remastered version of “Jolene” was also Dolly’s 107th chart entry, solidifying her second record title for the Most Hits on Billboard's Hot Country Songs Chart by a Female Artist. Dolly’s first hit on this record-breaking list was her 1967 debut, “Dumb Blonde.” Of the 107 hits, 21 were achieved with former partner Porter Wagoner (1927–2007). Find Dolly in the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS 2018 Edition, available in stores and online now.
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Pictured here (left to right) are Dolly Parton and Michael Furnari, Guinness World Records adjudicator. Furnari recently presented Dolly with two Guinness World Records. Photo credit: John Shearer
Dolly Parton was recently surprised with the news of four Recording Industry Association certification awards upgrades.
She was presented with plaques in recognition of the RIAA Gold certification of her recording of “I Will Always Love You” (RCA) with over 500,000 digital sales and streams, Gold certification of “Jolene” (RCA) with over 500,000 digital sales and streams and Platinum certification of “9 To 5” (RCA) which has amassed over one million digital sales and streams. Of special note, the song “9 To 5,” written by Dolly, has taken on heightened awareness as the music bed to a new “Northwestern Mutual” national television commercial.
“What a fantastic way to start off a new year,” says an enthusiastic Dolly, “By being honored by the Emmys, RIAA and Guinness World Records folks! I am so flattered and proud!"
As the sole songwriter of “I Will Always Love You,” as recorded by Whitney Houston on “The Bodyguard” film soundtrack (Legacy/Arista), Dolly received a fourth plaque commemorating Triple-Platinum certification for over three million digital sales and streams of the smash hit.
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Pictured here as Dolly Parton was surprised with a Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" RIAA 3 Times Platinum plaque (left to right) are: Danny Nozell, CTK Management; Parton; and John Zarling, EVP, Marketing & New Business. Photo credit: John Shearer
Pictured at top as Dolly Parton was surprised with 3 RIAA certification plaques (left to right) are: Greg Linn, SVP, Marketing & Content, Legacy Recordings/Sony Music; Parton; John Jackson, SVP, A&R, Legacy Recordings/Sony Music; and John Zarling, EVP, Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville.
Photo credit: John Shearer
Dolly’s latest project “I Believe In You,” her first-ever children’s album, released last fall on Dolly Records/RCA Nashville. All 14 tracks on the new album were written and performed by Dolly Parton for kids and those young at heart. “I Believe In You” Available Here
Dolly Parton teamed up with the award-winning vocal group Pentatonix to record her 1973 hit, "Jolene. " The new rendition debuted at No. 18 on the Hot Country Songs chart and now has earned both artists GRAMMY gold.
"Oh my Lord I am so excited to have won the Grammy with Pentatonix on my old song Jolene," says Dolly Parton. "I am so happy and am so very proud of Pentatonix. The song is one of my favorites. Thanks to the Grammys, but most importantly thanks to all the fans. I love you all."
The 2017 GRAMMY win gives Dolly her eighth competitive win and the second for Pentatonix. In 2011, the organization honored Dolly with the GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award. She received her first trophy with "Here You Come Again" in 1978 followed by two wins for "9 to 5" (Best Country Song & Best Female Country Vocal Performance) 1981, "Trio" (Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal) 1987, "After The Gold Rush" (Best Country Collaboration With Vocals) 1999, "The Grass Is Blue" (Best Bluegrass Album) 2000, and "Shine" (Best Female Country Vocal Performance) 2001.
Watch the original music video of "Jolene" by Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton.
Dolly Parton will return to the GRAMMYS thanks to a collaboration with the award-winning a cappella group, Pentatonix and her timeless hit, "Jolene."
Dolly sang her way to two GRAMMY nominations back in 1974 and 1975 both for Best Female Country Vocal Performance with "Jolene," first with the album followed by a live performance the next year. Since then, the song has enticed countless artists to cover the tune including Olivia Newton John, Norah Jones, Alison Krauss, Kelly Clarkson, (Dolly's goddaughter) Miley Cyrus and The White Stripes.
While other artists enjoy singing it and have created beautiful versions of their own, "Jolene" the song, unlike the starring character within it, has been faithful to its creator. An international audience of over 180,000 fans gathered at the Glastonbury Festival in 2014 and sang along to “Jolene” during the record-setting appearance. The event staff even prepared a choreographed dance for the song.
The GRAMMY-nominated Pentatonix recording of “Jolene” features Dolly’s angelic vocals. Before receiving the nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance it debuted at No. 18 on the Hot Country Songs chart making Dolly the first and only artist with top 20 hits on Hot Country Songs in the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, ’00s & ’10s.
Dolly's most recent nomination was back in 2013 when she and long-time friend and duet partner Kenny Rogers received a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance with "You Can't Make Old Friends." She has a total of seven GRAMMY wins and in 2011 she was honored with a GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.
Watch the 59th GRAMMY Awards live on CBS on Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. EST.
