Dolly Parton is perfect. I genuinely don’t believe she is capable of doing anything wrong. Whether as a singer, songwriter, novelist, or ice cream creator, A Real Live Dolly is the Queen of all she touches. So I thought I’d go through her catalog and find the best covers she has done and the best covers others have done of her amazing songs.
Here are five covers by Dolly Parton and five covers of Dolly Parton songs that show off her exceptional talent as a singer and a songwriter.
Dolly Parton’s Best Covers
Stairway to Heaven Led Zepplin
Despite being the most overrated band of all time, Led Zepplin has a few decent songs. “Stairway” isn’t one of them, but it is still very popular. Dolly did it justice without resorting to guitar tricks.
Shine By Collective Soul
Dolly doing grunge covers? Dolly doing grunge covers.
Islands In The Stream by the BeeGees
Now technically, this isn’t a cover. But the BeeGees originally wrote it to be a song for Diana Ross but modified it to be a duet for Kenny Rodgers and Dolly. So, it counts.
Help By Beatles
Dolly turns the Beatles classic into a beautiful bluegrass ballad. Dolly sings all the harmonies herself.
House Of The Rising Sun By The Animals
Dolly sure has a taste for the songs of the 60s and 70s, doesn’t she? I would have thought this one a little too bluesy for her, but she pulls it off perfectly.
The Best Covers Of Dolly Parton Songs
Now let’s take a look. at some of the best covers of Dolly Parton’s fantastic songbook
Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”
This one is number one. The song made Whitney Houston and probably the only piece of Dolly’s that someone else is more famous for singing.
Miley Cyrus’ “Jolene”
Dolly Parton is Miley Cyrus’ godmother, and the two have been close and collaborated on a few songs. Miley’s version of Jolene is an excellent tribute to her Aunt Dolly.
White Stripes “Jolene”
We could do a whole post on Joelene covers. There’s a lot to choose from. This is the weirdest and least Dolly-sounding. But then again, it is the White Stripes.
Kacey Musgraves “9 to 5.”
Musgraves covered the classic during her most recent tour. I saw it live, and she did a great job.
What’s your favorite Dolly Parton cover? Let us know in the comment section below.