Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

I have other things to bitch about but those will have to wait.

Republicans got rid of McCarthy. Democrats chose not to save him.

“The defense has a certain level of trust in defendant that the government does not.”

At some point, the ability to learn is a factor of character, not IQ.

Never give a known liar the benefit of the doubt.

with the Kraken taking a plea, the Cheese stands alone.

Everybody saw this coming.

Compromise? There is no middle ground between a firefighter and an arsonist.

Nothing says ‘pro-life’ like letting children go hungry.

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

Another missed opportunity for Jamie Dimon to just shut the fuck up.

… gradually, and then suddenly.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

Hi god, it’s us. Thanks a heap, you’re having a great week and it’s only Thursday!

Donald Jessica Trump found guilty as fuck – May 30, 2024!

There are consequences to being an arrogant, sullen prick.

We’ll be taking my thoughts and prayers to the ballot box.

It’s a new day. Light all those Biden polls of young people on fire and throw away the ashes.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

Democrats are back in array!

Everything is totally normal and fine!!!

I conferred with the team and they all agree – still not tired of winning!

I didn’t have alien invasion on my 2023 BINGO card.

You are here: Home / Music / Happy Belated Birthday Dolly Parton!

Happy Belated Birthday Dolly Parton!

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Happy belated 70th birthday to Dolly Parton, a true national treasure: singer, songwriter, actor, entrepreneur–and, from all accounts, truly decent human being.

So which of her many wonderful songs to use?

Whitney Houston’s belting cover of Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” is always something to hear. (And now kind of melancholy, knowing what came afterwards.) But for my money Dolly’s softer, hymnlike version wins the prize. Listen through to the very end:

(BTW, Baud informs me he’s making it his campaign song.)

Also, in honor of my esteemed colleague and fellow Papillon (butterfly dog) enthusiast Anne Laurie:

Years ago, I would waltz my own sweet butterfly dog, Orbit, around the room while listening to this.

Reader Interactions

75Comments

  2. 2.

    Germy

    Parton: I hesitated to tell it for a long time because I thought maybe people would not take it right because it was Elvis. But Elvis loved “I Will Always Love You,” and he wanted to record it. I got the word that he was going to record it, and I was so excited. I told everybody I knew, “Elvis is going to record my song. You’re not going to believe who’s recording my song.” It’s like one of those things I told everybody. I thought it was a done deal because he don’t just say he’s going to do something. Anyway, he sent word that he loved it and he was doing it. They get to town and they call and they ask if I want to come to the session — and, of course, I was going to go.

    Then Colonel Tom [Parker, Presley’s manager] gets on the phone and said, “You know, I really love this song,” and I said, “You cannot imagine how excited I am about this. This is the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me as a songwriter.” He said, “Now you know we have a rule that Elvis don’t record anything that we don’t take half the publishing.” And I was really quiet. I said, “Well, now it’s already been a hit. I wrote it and I’ve already published it. And this is the stuff I’m leaving for my family when I’m dead and gone. That money goes in for stuff for my brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews, so I can’t give up half the publishing.” And he said, “Well then, we can’t record it.” I guess they thought since they already had it prepared and already had it ready, that I would do it.

    I said, “I’m really sorry,” and I cried all night. I mean, it was like the worst thing. You know, it’s like, “Oh, my God … Elvis Presley.” And other people were saying, “You’re nuts. It’s Elvis Presley. I mean, hell, I’d give him all of it.” I said, “I can’t do that. Something in my heart says, ‘Don’t do that.’” And I just didn’t do it, and they just didn’t do it. But I always wondered what it would sound like. I know he’d kill it. Don’t you? He would have killed it. But anyway, so he didn’t. Then when Whitney [Houston’s version] came out, I made enough money to buy Graceland. (laughs)

  3. 3.

    Betty Cracker

    She does seem like a genuinely good person. I saw an interview once with Julia Roberts, and she told a story about working with Parton on the “Steel Magnolias” set. Roberts said on that particular day, everyone was cranky and complaining because it was hot as hell and there were delays in the shoot, But she noticed Parton just chilling and smiling and asked her what she was so happy about, and Parton pointed out that they were well-paid movie stars so didn’t really have anything to complain about!

  7. 7.

    Hillary Rettig

    @Betty Cracker: I’ve never heard a bad thing about the woman. btw, sorry I big footed on your post a bit. I meant to save as a draft and post in a couple of hours.

  8. 8.

    WereBear

    As a child, I would watch her on the Porter Waggoner show, back when her hair was as tall as she was. I liked her, and I’m not a country music fan.

  10. 10.

    rikyrah

    Happy Birthday, Ms. Parton.

    Always respected Ms. Parton because she understood clearly the BUSINESS of show and worked the hell out of it.

    When The Bodyguard came out and the Soundtrack broke all records…they went to Dolly Parton and asked if she was offended by Whitney’s cover being such a big hit..

    She was like, ‘child no…I get happy everytime I go to mailbox lately and see those checks…’

    BWA HA HA HA HA H HA HA HA

  11. 11.

    rikyrah

    PHUCK.OUTTA.HERE.

    It was the EMERGENCY MANAGER THAT HE CHOSE that cut off the water.

    It was the EMERGENCY MANAGER THAT HE CHOSE that SOLD the Plan B for Flint.

    …………………………………………

    jasoncherkis ‏@jasoncherkis 2h2 hours ago
    Gov. Snyder: “and unfortunately we have this terrible tragedy because of some career civil service experts.” #FlintWaterCrisis

    jasoncherkis ‏@jasoncherkis 2h2 hours ago
    On Morning Joe, Snyder blames “culture of government” for water crisis in Flint.

    jasoncherkis ‏@jasoncherkis 2h2 hours ago
    On Morning Joe, Michigan governor throwing career government workers under the bus.

  17. 17.

    Bartholomew

    Yes … love Dolly for her genuineness. This is how Christians actually are, not the puritan corporate-funded act of the fallen.

    Then I have my daily surprise of remembering that this site represents a particular social/voter grouping that has accepted being termed ‘The Left’ … though it is not the oddest thing this grouping has done (which would surely be letting the actual message of Christ to lie trampled under the oligarchy’s foot out of pique at the idiot fundies)).

    Just for some variety from the Trump obsession. http://www.salon.com/2016/01/20/robert_reich_the_bernie_skeptics_are_wrong_here_are_6_reasons_why_partner/

  19. 19.

    bystander

    @WereBear: Growing up in Kansas City, the biggest problem with seeing Dolly was having to wade thru Porter. When I was really little, you had to wade thru Red Foley to get to Brenda Lee IIRC. Always a price to pay for art.

    Speaking of 70 year old belters, has it been mentioned that Bette Midler is going to star in a Broadway revival of Hello Dolly?

  22. 22.

    Betty Cracker

    @Hillary Rettig: An hour later ain’t no big foot! ;-)

    @raven: I agree 100% — love that song! One time when my sister and I were teens, sis was telling Mom and me about a middle school puppy love triangle that she (sis) was involved in, trying to gauge whether or not we thought she was stealing another girl’s dude. Mom and I listened to about 30 seconds of the story, and we both simultaneously started singing “Jolene.” No further clarification was necessary!

  30. 30.

    J R in WV

    We love Dolly Parton here at our house. So a Happy Birthday to Dolly today, the first day of the first blizzard of 2016~!!

    It is snowing here now, hard, and had already stacked up a couple of inches by the time I woke up, just a little while ago. If the power goes off, our Internet connection becomes hit and miss, as our neighbor has to run his generator to run out router and sat dish modem. Not to mention that too much snow interferes with the signal.

    Good morning, everyone, and welcome to winter!

    We’ll be fine, even if you don’t hear from us, Got in supplies yesterday. Really, even when we need to go to the grocery store, we will still have a week or two of stuff we can fix to eat. Like 4 pounds of dried beans and 5 pounds of rice, and 2 pounds of bacon.

    I was thinking about eggs and bacon this morning, but I think I’ll save the eggs for baking with later. Make a huge desert, like a 14 inch skillet full of pineapple upside down cake!! How does that sound for struggling to survive the great blizzard with?

    I shouldn’t laugh about it. People will have a hard time, even if we don’t. And I may have to climb onto the roof with the blower, wouldn’t that be big fun?!?! I’ll ask for help from the neighbors if it comes to that. My best friend to the NW is 15 years younger than me, and would be happy to do that for us.

    Good luck everyone! Be careful, stay warm, help each other out, stay calm. And if you need help from a neighbor, don’t wait to ask. People do pull together in a disaster, even a slow moving disaster like a long steady snowfall.

    Wish us luck here in the eastern mountains.

  32. 32.

    rikyrah

    From Luvvie about Flint:
    About Flint’s Water Crisis, the Human Rights Debacle and the Poster of Lies

    Awesomely Luvvie — January 19, 2016

    What is happening in Flint, Michigan right now is systemic genocide, and the victims are people of color and poor people. The city’s population is 60% Black and 42% of the residents live below the poverty line. They are being poisoned with lead-tainted water that is coming out of their faucets, and it is from the willful neglect of those charged with running the city and the governor of Michigan, Rick Snyder.

    Long story short (TL:DR): Governor Snyder wanted to save money, so he decided to stop having Detroit water be the supplier for tap water in Flint. Instead, he felt that the very polluted Flint River would be good enough for the residents, in spite of the fact that the water is so full of lead, if you reach into it, you’d pull out a box of number 2 pencils. And probably a scantron attached for good measure. That was in 2014.

  33. 33.

    Mai.naem.mobile

    Love is Like A Butterfly is my favorite Dolly Parton song. It used to be the theme song for a Brit sitcom which is where I heard it first. I’ve also always liked Dolly as a person. I have a friend who worked at Skt Harbor Airport,sometimes in the VIP section. Anyhow,he dealt with Dolly Parton and said she was rude. I was really disappointed to hear that but he did add that it was after a performance they had a chartered plane which apparently was very late and it sounded like she was having a bad day.

  34. 34.

    Mike J

    John Podhoretz Verified account @jpodhoretz

    To DeBlasio and other pols who tell people to stay indoors during a snow storm: You work for US. Therefore, shut the hell up.

  39. 39.

    japa21

    @rikyrah: I believe Luvvie is wrong about a basic fact. The river water is not full of lead. Instead chemicals in the water draw the lead out of rather antiquated pipes in Flint.

    Her basic premise is right, but it is important to get the facts straight.

  40. 40.

    Germy

    @Amir Khalid: Quoting the Cloned Sheep’s scientist:

    On Dolly’s name, Wilmut stated “Dolly is derived from a mammary gland cell and we couldn’t think of a more impressive pair of glands than Dolly Parton’s”

  42. 42.

    Punchy

    Apologies if this has been mentioned 64 other times, but our health care blogger and co-pilot to college soccer sexcapades made into the friggin’ LA Times. Nice.

  43. 43.

    MomSense

    Love Dolly Parton. The Grass is Blue is one of my favorites. She performed it with Norah Jones–and it was just perfect.

  47. 47.

    Bobby Thomson

    @japa21: that’s right. And it makes it worse, because now all the pipes are corroded and can’t deliver safe water from any source.

  50. 50.

    Randy P

    On of my ex-employers built a new facility that included two large circular structures connected by a rectangular central lobby.

    When the designs were posted it was almost immediately christened the “Dolly Parton Building” by employees.

    Apologies to the ladies, that’s just how guys are. We can’t help ourselves.

    That said, she really is an impressive human being in every way and I always love seeing her and hearing her voice. Truly one of the greats. Isn’t there a story about the Whitney Houston recording that she didn’t know about it until she heard it on her car radio?

    Edit To Add: Yep, my memory is correct.

  52. 52.

    Elizabelle

    @Punchy: Fabulous!

    And no surprise that it was from a Michael Hiltzik column. (LA Times Pulitzer Prize winning business columnist, and someone you should all read; he is that good.)

    The pertinent part:

    In other words, Cruz’s problem has nothing to do with Obamacare and everything to do with his own sloth — unless the explanation is more sinister, as insurance expert Richard Mayhew of balloon-juice.com speculates: “The Cruz family is currently uninsured to guarantee their father a cheap laugh line.”

    What’s more certain is that Cruz’s characterization of his issue is layered with dishonesty. He claims that the new plans he has examined carry premium increases of 50% — “That’s happening all over the country,” he said. “That’s happening in New Hampshire.”

    Well, no. Cruz wasn’t especially forthcoming with details about his old plan or the new ones he’s examining, but average rate increases in the individual market in Texas aren’t anywhere near 50%. No single carrier is getting a rate increase that high; the largest is 34%, for a very tiny carrier. At some companies, including BlueCross BlueShield, some rates actually decreased.

  53. 53.

    Germy

    Three singers collaborate with Siri to create Indian classical beatbox.

    beatboxer Marcus Perez a few days ago, in which he asked Siri the question “What’s a trillion to the 10th power?” to create the perfect bass beat with Siri’s reply (comprising of a seemingly endless number of zeros). In the new video, the male singer asks Siri the same question and then proceeds to sing a classical Carnatic music composition with his friends over the response.

  54. 54.

    gogol's wife

    @Germy:

    Mebbe when I’m in heaven I’ll get to hear the King sing “I Will Always Love You.”

    What a great story. Heartbreaking, though.

  59. 59.

    Germy

    @gogol’s wife: It’s sad how Elvis’s artistic decisions were controlled by the Colonel. Old Parker should have stayed in the background and counted his money. Instead, he decided what did and didn’t get recorded, and what movies to make. Horrible manager.

  63. 63.

    gbbalto

    (Repeat from last thread) On storm prep – went to supermarket here in Baltimore this morning. Was told it was cleaned out yesterday but it was restocked this morning and not that busy. If snow hasn’t started where you are, there’s probably still time to buy stuff.

  64. 64.

    russell

    a while back, a slowed-down version of parton singing ‘jolene’ popped up as kind of an internet meme. when you slow recorded music down a lot, it makes every flaw and imperfection really really audible.

    on the slow version of parton’s ‘jolene’, there were no flaws. zero. she absolutely nailed her performance.

    beautiful woman, great musician, great voice, apparently a really great person. talented ambitious and accomplished, but also grateful and humble, with her feet on the ground. parton is all upside.

    happy birthday dolly parton.

  68. 68.

    dogwood

    Absolutely adore Dolly Parton. I remember Barbara Walters asking her decades ago if she was offended by dumb blonde jokes. She replied that there was no reason to be offended because she wasn’t dumb and she certainly wasn’t blonde.

  70. 70.

    trollhattan

    @raven:
    Agreed. That’s the one that stands apart for me.

    Dolly and Willy are the two “country” (whatever that means anymore) performers who transcend the genre and the music business for me. Decent, honest and phenomenally skilled artists who remain true to their roots. Rare, that.

  72. 72.

    WereBear

    @Mai.naem.mobile: I have a friend who worked at Skt Harbor Airport,sometimes in the VIP section. Anyhow,he dealt with Dolly Parton and said she was rude. I was really disappointed to hear that but he did add that it was after a performance they had a chartered plane which apparently was very late and it sounded like she was having a bad day.

    Who among us is never exhausted and on our last nerve and winds up being short with someone? I don’t feel that should be held against her. There are lots of the rich & famous who are rude routinely.

  75. 75.

    reality-based (the original, not the troll)

    @Germy:

    True, dat. Barbra Stresand wanted him to co-star in the re-make of “a star is born”. and Elvis really wanted to do it – but the Colonel said no. Now, I[m a huge Kristofferson fan, but wouldn’t it have been interesting if Elvis had done it?

    one of those casting “what-ifs” – like, Michael Keaton was originally supposed to play the Billy Chrytal part in “When Harry Met Sally ” – would have brought a lot more depth – not to say sexual tension – to the movie.

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