Rockstar (Dolly Parton album)
Rockstar is the upcoming forty-ninth solo studio album by Dolly Parton.[5][6] It is scheduled to be released on November 17, 2023, by Butterfly Records and Big Machine Records.[7][8] The album is a collaborative project with a variety of rock musicians, marking Parton's first foray into that genre.
| Rockstar | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
One of five covers to Rockstar: the others feature Parton in similar outfits mounting a motorcycle, holding an electric guitar, or posing with a leather eye patch in the shape of a star | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 17, 2023 | |||
| Genre | Rock | |||
| Length | 140:40 | |||
| Label |
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| Producer | Kent Wells[1] | |||
| Dolly Parton chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Rockstar | ||||
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Lead single "World on Fire" was released on May 11, 2023.[2] The second single, "We Are the Champions"/"We Will Rock You" was released on July 21, 2023. Parton's version of "Let It Be", featuring surviving Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, was released as the album's third single on August 18, 2023.[4]
On June 16, 2023, Parton also released two promotional tracks in "Magic Man" and "Bygones".[9]
Recording and release
Parton was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022 and initially declined the honor as she has a background in country music and not rock.[10] In response, she declared her intention to record an album of rock covers with a host of musical guests from that genre to justify her inclusion. Parton performed "Rockin'", an original song, at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
She reached out to a variety of dream collaborators over the course of several months, including several of the artists she performed with at the Hall of Fame ceremony such as fellow 2022 inductees Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Simon Le Bon and Rob Halford, and other guests Pink, Brandi Carlile and Sheryl Crow. Parton officially announced the recording on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on November 30.[11] She revealed the album release on the January 17, 2023, episode of The View[12] and previewed the track "World on Fire" on May 11.[2]
British guitarist Peter Frampton was recruited into recording after a mutual friend performed backing vocals with American singer Steven Tyler on the album. He immediately called his manager and the next day, spoke with producer Kent Wells to perform a guitar solo and also vocals on a second track.[1] Parton pursued Mick Jagger to provide vocals on her Rolling Stones cover, but he had a scheduling conflict[13] and failed to reunite Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page and Robert Plant for her new cover of "Stairway to Heaven", a favorite of her husband Carl Dean.[14] Her favorite collaborator was fellow country musician Chris Stapleton.[15]
Prior to the reveal of the official track listing, Parton had performed "Wrecking Ball" with her goddaughter Miley Cyrus at her New Year's Eve show. Parton performed the album's lead single "World on Fire" for the first time at the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards on May 11, 2023.[16]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Rockstar" (with Richie Sambora) | Dolly Parton | 4:36 |
| 2. | "World on Fire" | Dolly Parton | 4:21 |
| 3. | "Every Breath You Take" (featuring Sting) | Sting | 4:22 |
| 4. | "Open Arms" (featuring Steve Perry) |
| 3:16 |
| 5. | "Magic Man" (featuring Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese) |
| 5:02 |
| 6. | "Long as I Can See the Light" (featuring John Fogerty) | John Fogerty | 4:11 |
| 7. | "Either Or" (featuring Kid Rock) | 4:20 | |
| 8. | "I Want You Back" (featuring Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes) | 5:03 | |
| 9. | "What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done for You" (featuring Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel) | Stevie Nicks | 5:01 |
| 10. | "Purple Rain" | Prince | 7:51 |
| 11. | "Baby, I Love Your Way" (featuring Peter Frampton) | Peter Frampton | 4:58 |
| 12. | "I Hate Myself for Loving You" (featuring Joan Jett and the Blackhearts) | 4:09 | |
| 13. | "Night Moves" (featuring Chris Stapleton) | Bob Seger | 5:39 |
| 14. | "Wrecking Ball" (featuring Miley Cyrus) | 3:55 | |
| 15. | "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (featuring P!nk and Brandi Carlile) | 3:53 | |
| 16. | "Keep On Loving You" (featuring Kevin Cronin) | Kevin Cronin | 3:26 |
| 17. | "Heart of Glass" (featuring Debbie Harry) |
| 3:41 |
| 18. | "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (featuring Elton John) |
| 5:42 |
| 19. | "Tried to Rock and Roll Me" (featuring Melissa Etheridge) | Melissa Etheridge | 3:49 |
| 20. | "Stairway to Heaven" (featuring Lizzo) | 7:08 | |
| 21. | "We Are the Champions/We Will Rock You" | 3:51 | |
| 22. | "Bygones" (featuring Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx and John 5) |
| 3:59 |
| 23. | "My Blue Tears" (featuring Simon Le Bon) | Dolly Parton | 4:03 |
| 24. | "What's Up?" (featuring Linda Perry) | Linda Perry | 4:38 |
| 25. | "You're No Good" (featuring Emmylou Harris and Sheryl Crow) | Clint Ballard, Jr. | 3:14 |
| 26. | "Heartbreaker" (featuring Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo) |
| 3:39 |
| 27. | "Bittersweet" (featuring Michael McDonald) | 4:03 | |
| 28. | "I Dreamed About Elvis" (featuring Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires) | Dolly Parton | 3:38 |
| 29. | "Let It Be" (featuring Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood) |
| 4:27 |
| 30. | "Free Bird" (featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd) | 10:45 |
Personnel
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (May 2023) |
- Dolly Parton – vocals
- Vijat Mohindra – photography
- Kent Wells – production[1]
- Chris Lord-Alge – mixing
Chart performance
After 55 years as a recording artist, Dolly had her first release hit a rock-themed chart, with the single "World on Fire" debuting at number 13 on Billboard's Rock Digital Song Sales on May 20, 2023.[17] It went on to peak at number 1 a week later.[18]
On the day the album was announced and available for pre-order (May 10), the album already rocketed to the top of the Amazon Rock music list! #1 was CD & #2 was 4LP (Amazon Exclusive Pink Edition).[citation needed]
"World On Fire" - #1 Rock Digital Song Sales | #3 Country Digital Song Sales | #4 Digital Song Sales | #16 Canadian Digital Song Sales | #21 Hot Rock Songs | #26 Hot Rock and Alternative Songs[citation needed]
"Magic Man" featuring Ann Wilson - #25 Rock Digital Song Sales[citation needed]
"Bygones" featuring Rob Halford - #1 Mediabase Classic Rock Songs | #19 Hard Rock Digital Song Sales[citation needed]
Release history
References
- ^ a b c Graff, Gary (May 9, 2023). "How Peter Frampton 'Lowballed' His Way Onto Dolly Parton's Album". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ a b c Young, Alex (May 9, 2023). "The Tracklist for Dolly Parton's Rock Album is a Sight to Behold". Consequence of Sound. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ "DOLLY PARTON RELEASES "WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS/WE WILL ROCK YOU" SINGLE; AUDIO". Brave Words. July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ a b Vernon, Hayden (August 19, 2023). "Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr team up with Dolly Parton on Let It Be". The Guardian. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ Mata, William (May 2023). "Dolly Parton releases full track list for first-ever rock album". Evening Standard. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ Magnotta, Andrew. "Dolly Parton Confirms Numerous Collaborations From Upcoming 'Rock Star' LP". iHeartRadio. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (May 9, 2023). "Dolly Parton Announces New Rock Album Featuring Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Lizzo, Miley Cyrus, and More". Pitchfork. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ Nicholson, Jessica (May 9, 2023). "Dolly Parton's Star-Studded Album 'Rockstar' Finally Has a Release Date". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ Grow, Kory (June 16, 2023). "Hear Dolly Parton Scream for Vengeance With Judas Priest's Rob Halford". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
- ^ Branwyn, Gareth (March 14, 2022). "Dolly Parton gracefully declines nomination to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame". from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ Curto, Justin (December 1, 2022). "Dolly Parton Wants to Rock With Everyone on a New Album". Vulture. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ "Dolly Parton's New Rock Album will Feature Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, & Many More". SiriusXM. January 18, 2023. from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
- ^ Liptak, Cerena (May 17, 2023). "Dolly Parton Explains Why Mick Jagger Isn't on Her Rock Album". Taste of Country. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ Weisholtz, Drew (May 15, 2023). "Dolly Parton takes on politicians in new rock single: 'None of them are working from the heart'". The Today Show. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ Goldstein, Tiffany (May 16, 2023). "Dolly Parton Says Chris Stapleton is Her "Favorite Collaborator" on 'Rockstar'". American Songwriter. Retrieved May 17, 2023.
- ^ a b Nicholson, Jessica (May 9, 2023). "Dolly Parton's Star-Studded Album 'Rockstar' Finally Has a Release Date". Billboard. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ Mcintyre, Hugh. "Dolly Parton Reaches A New Billboard Chart 55 Years After Her Debut". Forbes.com.
- ^ "Dolly Parton". Billboard. Retrieved June 14, 2023.