Dolly Parton’s Eclectic Songwriting Style
Dolly Parton is one of country music’s most beloved icons. Over her decades-long career, she has written countless hit songs and proven herself as a talented songwriter, singer, and businesswoman. However, not all of Parton’s songs have followed a traditional country formula. Some push the boundaries of genre and lyrics in unusual ways. Given Parton’s penchant for creativity and willingness to experiment, choosing her “strangest” song is a matter of personal taste. Here are deep dives into two of Dolly Parton’s more peculiar tracks that could stake a claim as her oddest musical creations.
“My Tennessee Mountain Home”
Released in 1973 on Parton’s album of the same name, “My Tennessee Mountain Home” is a novelty song unlike many of Dolly’s other solo recordings. With a spoken word intro and bluegrass instrumentation, the tune paints a vivid yet peculiar picture of sights around Parton’s East Tennessee home.
The song opens with Parton delivering an anecdotal monologue about a visit to her mountain property. She describes coming upon “the strangest things” during her wanderings. This piques the listener’s curiosity for what bizarre sights might be in store.
The first verse then launches into descriptions that certainly live up to the promise of strangeness. Parton sings of a “sassafras bush with a mustache” and “walking catfish with a derby hat.” The imagery, while amusing, doesn’t exactly line up with reality. A bush growing facial hair and catfish donning human headwear are unusual concepts, to say the least.
The second verse continues in this zany vein. Parton notes coming upon a “possum playing a jew’s harp” and a “groundhog driving a wooden car.” Along with the visual of various woodland creatures engaging in human activities, the notion of a groundhog behind the wheel adds an extra layer of absurdity.
Parton’s whimsical storytelling shines through in the playful lyrics. However, the fanciful scenarios she describes are far from typical subject matter for a country tune. The lighthearted novelty approach sets this song apart from Parton’s more serious ballads. While fun, it lacks the depth or emotion of many of her acclaimed works.
Musically, “My Tennessee Mountain Home” has a distinctly bluegrass flavor courtesy of banjo, fiddle, and acoustic guitar. This sound choice complements the rural Appalachian setting Parton depicts in the lyrics. However, the uptempo bluegrass instrumentation is an unusual vehicle for Parton’s quirky narrative story. The combination results in a listening experience quite unlike a standard country track.
Overall, “My Tennessee Mountain Home” stands out in Parton’s discography for its unconventional storytelling approach and blending of genres. The whimsical lyrics paint strange pictures while the bluegrass instrumentation provides an upbeat backdrop. Though enjoyable, the novelty nature sets it apart from Parton’s more meaningful country output. For these reasons, it’s certainly one of her stranger musical creations.
“Hungry Feelin’ (Can’t Be Explained)”
Released as a single in 1967 during Parton’s early career, “Hungry Feelin’ (Can’t Be Explained)” shows Dolly experimenting with psychedelic rock styles. With its distorted guitars, surreal lyrics, and spoken bridge, the track marked a bold departure from Parton’s country roots. It remains one of her most peculiar recordings over 50 years later.
Parton sets an immediately bizarre tone with the opening lines, singing “I got a hungry feelin’, I don’t know what it means.” Rather than the typical subject of love or heartbreak, she addresses an undefined craving. The lyrics then descend further into the nonsensical with references to “mushroom stew” and “birds without wings.”
Musically, “Hungry Feelin’” backs Parton’s strange vocals with heavy psychedelic rock instrumentation. Guitars feedback and warp around her vocals in a disorienting fashion. The soundscape creates a trippy listening experience quite unlike any other Parton song before or since.
Perhaps the track’s most head-scratching moment comes at the 1:30 mark when Parton launches into a spoken bridge. In character as an auctioneer, she rapidly lists off bizarre items for bid like “a box of chicken without any bones” and “a can of fresh air.” Her comedic delivery adds yet another strange layer to the already peculiar recording.
Following the bridge, the song builds to a climactic, distorted guitar-driven conclusion. Parton belts her hungry feeling one final time over the heavy psychedelic textures. Then, as quickly as it began, the three-minute track comes to an end, leaving listeners grasping to understand what exactly just transpired.
While a bold creative choice, “Hungry Feelin’ (Can’t Be Explained)” marked a major left turn for Parton that confused many of her early country fans. Its experimental psychedelic rock stylings and nonsensical lyrics were lightyears away from her usual heartland sound and story-driven songwriting. The track remains one of Parton’s most unusual artistic experiments in a catalog otherwise dominated by country hits and pop crossover success.
Debatable Distinction
When assessing Dolly Parton’s extensive catalog, both “My Tennessee Mountain Home” and “Hungry Feelin’ (Can’t Be Explained)” stand out as strong contenders for the title of her strangest song. However, which one deserves the distinction ultimately comes down to personal taste and interpretation.
On one hand, “My Tennessee Mountain Home” features more lighthearted and playful storytelling through its whimsical lyrics and banjo-led bluegrass instrumentation. However, the novelty approach and imagery of animals in human scenarios give it an unusual quality different from Parton’s typical output.
Meanwhile, “Hungry Feelin’ (Can’t Be Explained)” takes an even bolder leap with its psychedelic experimentation, abstract lyrics about undefined cravings, and spoken bridge comedic elements. The total artistic departure from Parton’s country roots makes it arguably her most peculiar individual recording.
Ultimately, both songs highlight Parton’s fearless creative spirit and willingness to experiment outside genre norms. While not necessarily her most profound compositions, they remain intriguing artistic outliers that push boundaries. For fans who admire Dolly’s eclectic style, these offbeat tracks offer a fun glimpse into her more unusual creative pursuits. Debating which stands as her single strangest song is half the fun and a testament to Parton’s diverse songwriting talents.