Dolly Parton made a promise that she would “earn” her place in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame after her induction, and gee golly, she meant it. Her first-ever rock album, Rockstar, is officially on its way, and the tracklist will surely turn you into a rock fan, if you’re not already.
Joined by some of the most legendary rock musicians, Rockstar will include 9 original tracks and 21 rock anthems being reborn, and it’s going to rock our socks out when it’s released on November 17.
“I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album, Rockstar!” Dolly shared in a statement. “I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all of the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!”
After her initial request to be removed from the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominations, and later humbly accepting the induction, it’s clear that Dolly has been working from 9-5 (and overtime) to give us an all-new version of the country singer/songwriter.
But Dolly Parton can never let go of her glamorous, star-striking moves and…who could ever turn down the Dolly Parton? She asked for a Beatles reunion. She got it. She wants Lizzo to play the flute on “Stairway to Heaven”? You bet that she got that request. If Dolly wants to rock, she is going to rock hard, and the tracklist speaks for itself.
Rockstar tracklist:
- “Rockstar” (special guest Richie Sambora)
- “World on Fire”
- “Every Breath You Take” (feat. Sting)
- “Open Arms” (feat. Steve Perry)
- “Magic Man” (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
- “Long As I Can See The Light” (feat. John Fogerty)
- “Either Or” (feat. Kid Rock)
- “I Want You Back” (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
- “What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done For You” (feat. Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
- “Purple Rain”
- “Baby, I Love Your Way” (feat. Peter Frampton)
- “I Hate Myself For Loving You” (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
- “Night Moves” (feat. Chris Stapleton)
- “Wrecking Ball” (feat. Miley Cyrus)
- “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
- “Keep On Loving You” (feat. Kevin Cronin)
- “Heart of Glass” (feat. Debbie Harry)
- “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” (feat. Elton John)
- “Tried to Rock and Roll Me” (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
- “Stairway to Heaven” (feat. Lizzo and Sasha Flute)
- “We Are The Champions”
- “Bygones” (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx and John 5)
- “My Blue Tears” (feat. Simon Le Bon)
- “What’s Up?” (feat. Linda Perry)
- “You’re No Good” (feat. Emmylou Harris and Sheryl Crow)
- “Heartbreaker” (feat. Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo)
- “Bittersweet” (feat. Michael McDonald)
- “I Dreamed About Elvis” (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
- “Let It Be” (feat. Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood)
- “Free Bird” (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artemis Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)
November seems eons away after seeing all of these legendary musicians join forces with Dolly, but luckily we’re getting a little preview this week. The lead original track “World on Fire” is available on all streaming platforms May 11, coinciding with a world premiere performance of the song at the Academy of Country Music Awards (which she is also hosting! Again, she’s working overtime.)
“This is a song I felt very inspired to write,” said Dolly in her statement. “I think it speaks about everything and to everyone this day and time. I hope it is something that will touch you and maybe touch enough people to want to make a change for the better.”
Dolly Parton is the most iconic as they come, and her new album is a rebirth for several of the rock hits that shaped our musical generation. Now available for pre-order, Rockstar is going to send us back to those black leather, smoky cigarette days, and what better way to celebrate the fall season with some classic rock on our stereos.
Top image: Curtis Hilbun, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
