Dolly Parton Becomes a “Rockstar” with Upcoming Album
It’s official! Dolly Parton has just announced her upcoming album, Rockstar, out November 17. The country music legend will be switching gears, releasing her first rock album, including covers of iconic rock and roll songs.
This album follows her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, after previously denying her nomination, believing she hadn’t earned the right to be inducted because she’d never made any rock music before. She included that the nomination had inspired her to create a rock album so she’d be worthy of her title.
“If I’m gonna be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, I’m gonna have to earn it.”
Rockstar has an extensive 30-song tracklist and collaborations with some of the biggest rock and roll artists, including an actual Beatles reunion as Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney join Parton for a cover of their song “Let It Be”. There are only a total of three tracks on the album that don’t have a celebrity guest featured in the song.
With features from Elton John, Joan Jett, Miley Cyrus, Brandi Carlisle, Steven Tyler, and more, this album is sure to be a hit. This album will also be following Parton’s most recent greatest hits album, Diamonds and Rhinestones, and her last original album, Run, Rose, Run. Rockstar marks her 50th studio album released by Dolly Parton since her first album was released in 1967.
The first single off of Rockstar has just premiered, with a live performance of “World On Fire” at the Academy of Country Music Awards. Watch the performance below.
The new song is one of few originally written tracks from the album, with the tracklist heavily consisting of covers. “World On Fire” tells us it’s time to be kinder to one another and make a change. The song is more of a societal commentary and marks her first-ever rock song to be released.
Pre-order the new album Rockstar here.
