By the 1970s, Dolly Parton had already established herself as a talented songwriter and performer in the country music genre. However, it was during this pivotal decade that she rose to become one of the most successful artists in popular music history. Through her iconic songs, larger-than-life personality, and savvy business moves, Parton broke down barriers and expanded the reach of country music. She released a string of top-selling albums and chart-topping singles that have endured for decades. By the close of the 1970s, Dolly Parton had cemented her status as the “Queen of Country Music.”
Parton began the decade still signed to Monument Records, where she had achieved early success with songs like “Joshua” and “Coat of Many Colors.” However, she felt stifled by the label’s focus on her traditional country sound and image. Looking to broaden her audience, Parton switched to RCA Records in 1974. This proved to be a pivotal career move, as RCA was more willing to market Parton to mainstream pop audiences. They leaned into her unique persona – the charming, curvy blonde bombshell with a signature big hair ‘do.
Parton’s first single for RCA was the mournful ballad “Jolene.” Released in late 1973, the song tells the story of a wife pleading with a mysterious redheaded woman not to steal away her husband. With its aching vocals and sparse production, “Jolene” highlighted Parton’s gift for crafting emotionally resonant songs. Audiences connected deeply with the universal theme of jealousy and relationship insecurity. “Jolene” became one of Parton’s signature songs, reaching number one on the U.S. country chart and crossing over to number six on the Billboard Hot 100 pop chart. Its success helped introduce Parton to a wider pop audience beyond country fans.
Parton followed up “Jolene” with another iconic song, “I Will Always Love You.” Originally written in 1972 for her mentor Porter Wagoner, from whom she was parting ways professionally, the song poured her heartache into its lyrics and melody. Parton’s soaring vocals conveyed deep longing and resignation. Released as a single in late 1974 after appearing on her album “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” was another massive hit. It spent four weeks atop the country chart and also made it to number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. The song would find even greater success in the 1990s when Whitney Houston’s cover of it became the best-selling single by a woman in music history.
Buoyed by the popularity of “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” Parton’s album “Jolene” was certified gold by the RIAA, a first for her. She had firmly broken through to the mainstream. In 1975, she released “The Bargain Store” album, which included the singles “The Bargain Store” and “Paper Roses.” Both songs were top 10 country hits. That same year, Parton made her film debut in the musical “Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton in The Great Hairdo.” The TV movie further cemented her image as a fun-loving, down-home country girl with big hair and personality to match.
1976 brought Parton one of her biggest career milestones – the number one pop crossover hit “Here You Come Again.” Written by Parton, the upbeat song about rekindling an old flame epitomized her ability to craft infectiously catchy tunes. “Here You Come Again” spent three weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and crossed over to top the Billboard Hot 100 as well. It was certified gold by the RIAA and earned Parton her first Grammy for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. The success of “Here You Come Again” introduced Parton to an even wider mainstream audience and marked her full arrival as a pop culture phenomenon.
That same year, Parton released her “All I Can Do” album, which included another Top 10 hit in its title track as well as the single “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.” Both songs highlighted her skill for penning melodic, richly detailed story-songs. The album was certified gold. Parton also embarked on her first headlining tour, playing larger venues across North America. She was now one of country music’s biggest stars and a regular feature on TV variety shows like “The Carol Burnett Show.” Parton’s unique blend of country charm, girl-next-door sex appeal, and phenomenal songwriting and vocal talents were captivating mainstream America.
In 1977, Parton continued her streak of hit albums with the release of “New Harvest…First Gathering.” It included the singles “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” and “Two Doors Down,” both of which made the top 20 on the country charts. That same year, she collaborated with Porter Wagoner for a final time on the duets album “Say Forever You’ll Be Mine.” She also made her Broadway debut, starring alongside Shirley Jones in the musical “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.” Both the film adaptation and its soundtrack on which Parton appeared sold very well.
1978 saw Parton achieve more milestones. She released her “Heartbreaker” album, featuring the title track single which became her first number one on the country charts as a solo artist. The album also included her signature song “You’re the Only One” as well as the hit “Baby I’m Burning.” All three singles were top 10 country songs. That same year, Parton made her first starring film role in “Ox-Bow Incident.” She also embarked on her first international tour, taking her act to Australia and Europe for the first time. Parton was now truly a global superstar.
She closed out the 1970s with another smash album, “Great Balls of Fire,” released in 1979. The title track, a cover of the Jerry Lee Lewis hit, returned Parton to number one on the country charts. The album included two other top 5 singles – “But You Know I Love You” and “Two Doors Down.” Parton also starred in the film musical “9 to 5” alongside Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda. Released at the end of 1980, it became a box office smash and its theme song, which Parton wrote and performed, won her an Academy Award nomination.
By the end of the 1970s, Dolly Parton had cemented her status as a true pop culture icon and the “Queen of Country Music.” Through a string of massively successful albums, singles, tours, film roles, and TV appearances, she had expanded country music’s reach like no artist before her. Parton’s immense talent for songwriting and storytelling, coupled with her charismatic personality and savvy business sense, allowed her to break down barriers for women in the industry and connect with fans around the world. The songs she created during this pivotal decade, like “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” and “Here You Come Again,” have become timeless classics. Dolly Parton’s rise to superstardom in the 1970s changed the face of popular music forever.