Five Songs and Appearances by Dolly Parton in Pop Culture
Country diva passed away this Tuesday (25).
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Country music actress and icon Dolly Parton died this Tuesday, the 25th, at the age of 80. The news, confirmed by Variety without directly citing the cause of death, came after Parton had canceled a series of shows and public appearances due to unspecified health issues since 2025.
With a life intertwined with the history of American music and work in both TV and film, we’ve highlighted some of Dolly Parton’s songs and projects that helped shape beloved pop culture works. Check out the list of five below.
I Will Always Love You
Written by Dolly Parton in 1973 as a professional farewell to her mentor Porter Wagoner, the song is a country landmark and reached astronomical heights in 1992 in the voice of Whitney Houston for the soundtrack of the film The Bodyguard, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time. Dolly has always expressed immense pride and gratitude for Whitney’s version, reaffirming the universal power of her composition.
Islands in the Stream
Written by the Bee Gees, this classic collaboration between Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers was released in 1983 and topped charts around the world. The track was featured on the soundtrack of season 2 of Stranger Things, serving as the backdrop for a romantic and heartfelt moment between Bob Newby (Sean Astin) and Joyce Byers (Winona Ryder), connecting Dolly’s work with a new generation of Netflix series fans.
9 to 5
An anthem for workers and a pop culture classic, the track was written for the film 9 to 5 (1980), in which Dolly Parton also starred. With its energetic rhythm and lyrics critiquing corporate routine, the song became a timeless phenomenon. Its memorable appearances in Deadpool 2 and the animated film Sing show how the track continues to convey irreverence and strength across the decades.
Jolene
Released in 1973, it is one of the most iconic and most frequently covered songs in music history. Its anguished narrative about a direct plea to another woman has inspired historic interpretations, such as The White Stripes' rock version in the 2000s and the reinterpretation on Beyoncé's 2024 album Cowboy Carter, which adapted the lyrics with a stance of empowerment and protection, reaffirming Dolly Parton's legacy in country and pop.
Dumplin' Soundtrack
In the 2018 Netflix film, starring Danielle Macdonald and Jennifer Aniston, the image and work of Dolly Parton are at the heart of the story. The singer not only created the original soundtrack — re-recording classics and writing new songs such as "Girl in the Movies" (nominated for a Golden Globe) — but also served as the ultimate symbol of self-acceptance and self-love for the protagonist.
