On This Day In 1971: Dolly Parton Released ‘Coat of Many Colors’

Author Lauren Hoffman

October 4th, 2023 11:30 AM

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 05: Dolly Parton attends the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.

Dolly Parton is not only a country music legend but one of the greatest artists to ever walk the planet. She’s released 65 studio albums since her 1967 debut and continues to light up the stage wherever she goes.

RELATED: Ashley McBryde: The Obscure Dolly Parton Song She ‘Adores’

I’ve personally had the opportunity to see her perform live in concert a few times over the years. I will cherish those memories forever. Now, one may argue over which song or album is her best. We will leave that up to you to decide.

With that being said, we’re going to take you back to October 4, 1971. That’s when Parton released her eighth studio album, Coat of Many Colors. The album was nominated for Album of the Year at the 1972 CMA Awards. It was also named among the 100 Greatest Albums of All Time by TIME magazine.

Parton released the song “My Blue Tears,” which you can listen to below, as the first single of the album followed by the title track. The album features 14 songs, which some would say is her best collection of work to date.

The album has led to many additional projects, including her “Coat of Many Colors” children’s book illustrated by Judith Sutton. It was last updated in 2015 and brings one of her best-loved songs to life for the younger generation.

You may wonder, “What hasn’t Parton accomplished throughout her career?” Well, there’s no sign of her slowing down. She has several projects in the works at the moment.

Parton recently released a new song titled “What’s Up” featuring Linda Perry, which will appear on her Rockstar album, due out November 17.

The 77-year-old is also gearing up to unveil her new book Behind The Seams: My Life In Rhinestones set to hit shelves on October 17. See more from Dolly Parton here.

Dolly Parton's 77 Very Best Songs

Dolly Parton celebrates her 77th birthday today (1/19). And to mark the occasion, she’s releasing a new song. She told The View, “I had written a song a few months ago. I had a dream about God standing on a mountaintop saying, ‘Don’t make me have to come down there.’ So, I write this song about it to try to draw attention to what’s going on and what we can do to help it, and I just felt like this song was very blessed.” She added, “So I thought I am going to put something out very special on my birthday, and I thought it might draw a little bit of attention for us shaping our lives up a bit in the coming new year.”

Parton has often said that she writes a new song on her birthday every year, which makes one wonder what huge songs she wrote on January 19th.

As Dolly is preparing her rock album with many rock icons including Paul McCartney, Steve Nicks, Cher we look at 77 songs that we feel are her very best.

77- “Run, Rose, Run”
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A great title track from her album of the same name. She also wrote a book with the same title to expand on the story.
76 – “Big Dreams and Faded Jeans”
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A single from her 2022 album "Run, Rose Run." Dolly sang the song on the ACM Awards in 2022 with Kelsea Ballerini.
75 – “Straight Talk” – 1992
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From the movie of the same name. Dolly played a radio talk show host.
74 – “These Old Bones” – 2002
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Dolly says that the "old lady voice" she uses in this song sounds just like her own mother.
73 – “Here I Am” – 2018
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From the Netflix movie, 'Dumplin'.'
72 – “Holdin’ On To You” w/ Elle King – 2018
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A great remake of a song Dolly first recorded in the 1970s. Elle King is awesome teaming with Parton on this one.
71 – “Not Enough” w/ Queen Latifah – 2012
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From the soundtrack to 'Joyful Noise.'
70 – “Don’t Think Twice” – 2014
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A cover of Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice, It's All Right" from his 1963 album, 'The Freewheeling' Bob Dylan.
69 – “Lay Your Hands On Me” – 2014
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Yep, it's a cover of the Bon Jovi classic.
68 – “Better Day” – 2011
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An uplifting song Parton wrote for her 'Better Day"'album.
67 – “When Life Is Good Again” – 2020
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We all needed to hear this song in 2020, a year that Dolly brought a bit of light to.
66 – “Backwood Barbie” – 2008
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A song she wrote about who she is. Dolly used dolls made with her image to promote this song. She has a handful of diehard fans who make Dolly dolls exclusively.
65 – “If I Were A Carpenter” w/ Joe Nichols -2005
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A cover of the song by folk singer Tim Hardin, which has also been covered by Johnny Cash. She gets an assist here from country singer Joe Nichols.
64 – “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” w/ Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn – 1993
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This album was so good and what a teaming of country icons.
63 – “Red, White and Bluegrass” – 2003
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An original song from her album she recorded as a response to 9/11.
62 – “Better Get To Livin'” – 2008
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A song that reflects Dolly's optimism on life.
61 – “Lovesick Blues” w/ Patsy Cline, Loretta, Tammy – 1993
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A remake of a Hank Williams song that featured Dolly, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, and the late Patsy Cline's voice.
60 – “Halos and Horns” – 1998
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The title track of her 1998 bluegrass album.
59 – “Down From Dover” – 1970
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She cites this as a favorite tune she has written.
58 – “Seven Bridges Road” – 2000
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A great cover of the Eagles song.
57 – “Travelin’ Prayer” – 1999
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A Billy Joel cover.
56 – “Honky Tonk Songs” – 1998
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Here, she got back to her roots country sound with this classic Kitty Wells remake that Wells sings on.
55 – “I Still Miss Someone” – 1999
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Dolly's remake of a classic Johnny Cash song.
54 – “Time and Tears” – 1998
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Dolly wrote this song with which has a catchy beat.
53 – “The Camel’s Heart – 1998
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Another gem she wrote with a clever play on a old saying.
52 – “The Grass Is Blue” – 1999
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This is the title cut from her Grammy winning bluegrass project.
51 – “The Salt In My Tears” – 1998
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This album, called 'Hungry Again,' came out soon after the death of Tammy Wynette. Dolly had written some unfinished songs with Wynette.
50 – “Me and Little Andy” – 1977
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This song was never a single but is a favorite of many Dolly fans for its unique subject matter. Dolly used a childlike voice to sing a part.
49 – “To Daddy” – 1994
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Dolly wrote this song in the '60s and gave it to Emmylou Harris to record as a single.
48 – “After The Goldrush” w/ the Trio – 1999
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This Neil Young cover won a Grammy in 2000.
47 – “Starting Over Again” – 1980
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This is a Dolly classic that Reba remade in the 1990's.
46 – “Single Women” – 1982
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This album "Heartbreak Express" was the followup album to Dolly's huge "9 to 5" album. This was a number one song.
45 – “Heartsongs” – 1994
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The title track from Dolly's live album recorded in her native East Tennessee.
44 – “Yellow Roses” – 1989
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A classic Dolly love song.
43 – “You Can’t Make Old Friends” w/ Kenny Rogers – 2014
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This collaboration won Kenny and Dolly a Grammy in 2015.
42 – “Pure and Simple” – 2016
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This is the title track of the album that she toured on for the first time in twenty-five years.
41 – “Traveling Man” – 1971
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One of Dolly's early hits that she shared her mother didn't really care for because of the subject matter.
40 – “Don’t Call It Love” – 1985
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It's one of her catchiest songs, you won't get it out of your head for days.
39 – “All I Can Do” – 1976
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It's a quick ride of a song with perfect lyrics.
38 – “Light Of A Clear Blue Morning” – 1977
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A song Dolly put on a few of her albums. This version, from 1977, is the first of them. It's one of those songs that you listen to when you need to feel better about something. It's full of hope.
37 – “Romeo” w/ Billy Ray Cyrus, Tanya Tucker – 1993
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This is a song that started the friendship between Dolly and Billy Ray Cyrus. Dolly is Miley Cyrus' Godmother.
35 – “Wildflowers” – w/ Trio – 1987
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The 'Trio' album won a Grammy in 1988 for Dolly, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt.
34 – “Appalachian Memories” – 1983
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A song she later re-recorded as "Smoky Mountain Memories" about her people in East Tennessee.
33 – “Calm On The Water” – 1983
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An album cut from Dolly's "Burlap and Satin" album that is a spiritual ride and an all-time favorite.
32 – “The Seeker” – 1975
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An early hit for Dolly that leaned toward inspiration.
31 – “Heartbreak Express.” – 1982
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The title cut from her Heartbreak Express album. Coming out after 9 to 5, the album sold over a million copies.
30 – “The Bargain Store” – 1975
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A song that Dolly said is about finding love.
29 – “The PMS Blues” – 1994
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A comical look at what women deal with on a monthly basis. Yeah, it's what you think it is and it's hillarious.
28 – “Baby I’m Burning” – 1978
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This is a catchy song that Dolly had remixed to a dance mix and released on pink vinyl that same year. It's my husband's favorite Dolly song and he's a heavy metal guy. Go figure.
27 – “Applejack” – 1977
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Never a single but always played in every Dolly concert since she first recorded it. She plays a mean banjo too.
26 – “Love is Like A Butterfly” – 1974
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Classic Dolly and her love of butterflies has always been her trademark.
25 – “Hush Bye Hard Times” – 1980
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What a great song on her huge "9 to 5" album. Every song on that album could have been a single.
24 – “Twelfth of Never” w/ Keith Urban – 2005
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Just as Keith Urban started to become a country superstar he record this classic with Dolly. He sang it with Dolly at his New Faces Show at CRS in Nashville in 2005. The song ends with Keith saying, "You give me chills Dolly."
23 – “What A Heartache” – 1991
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A song Dolly has put on a couple of her albums. A serious heartbreak of a song.
22 – “Stairway To Heaven” – 2002
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Yep, Dolly covered this classic and it's great. She is covering it once again for her 2023 "Rock" album.
21 – “Eagle When She Flies” – 1991
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A powerful song for a powerful woman. This song even inspired a series of greeting cards.
20 – “Tennessee Homesick Blues” – 1984
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A great song for the Rhinestone movie with Sylvester Stallone. She held a huge party for the movie at her home in Tennessee for the movie's opening.
19 – “Down” – 1979
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A great and catchy album cut Dolly wrote from her "Great Balls Of Fire" album.
18 – “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That” – 1989
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Love this and the video is awesome as well. Number one song.
17 – “Lonely Comin’ Down” – 1974
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Another stellar album cut from the same album that gave us "Jolene" and " I Will Always Love You."
16 – “Old Flames ( Can’t Hold A Candle To You)” – 1980
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Classic Dolly, but a song written by pop singer Kesha's mom, Pebe Sebert.
15 – “My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy” – 1969
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The boy on the album cover is Dolly's not often seen husband Carl Dean.
14 – “One Emotion After Another” – 1984
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Yeah, the movie (Rhinestone) got panned and Sly Stallone singing was rough, but Dolly on the soundtrack and this song is amazing.
13 – “Islands In The Steam” – 1982
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One of the biggest selling songs of all time. Written by The Bee Gees. I can't hear this one enough.
12 – “It’s Such A Heartache” – 1985
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The perfect heartbreak song.
11 – “Two Doors Down” – 1977
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This is a the song that Jane Fonda heard on the radio that inspired her to cast Dolly in 9 to 5.
10 – “Think About Love” – 1985
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Perfect for the "Real Love" album and one of my very favorites.
9 – “Nickels and Dimes” – 1978
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An album cut that tells the story of her first taking her guitar out to sing on the streets. She wrote the song with her brother Randy Parton.
8 – “Jesus and Gravity” – 2008
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A single she released in 2008. I always say this song is just as powerful as Carrie Underwood's "Jesus Take The Wheel."
7 – “He’s Alive” 1989
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Dolly won a Dove award for this powerful Easter song.
6 – “Joshua” – 1971
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Dolly's first number one solo song. It's a great story song.
5 – “9 to 5” – 1980
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What more can be said of this classic country and pop song? Can you think of Dolly without thinking about this song?
4 – “Here You Come Again” – 1977
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A Grammy winner for Dolly. Believe it or not, she didn't write this one, but what a hit it was for her.
3 – “Coat Of Many Colors” 1971
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Dolly says this is her favorite song that she's written. It's of course a true story of what her mother had sewn her to wear to school as a kid.
2 – “I Will Always Love You” – 1974
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Dolly says this is her favorite song to sing. It's what she is known for, not to mention the Whitney Houston hit.
1 – “Jolene” – 1974
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This song is a marvel and it's been my ring tone since 1995. You know, Dolly says she can't totally remember but speculates that she wrote this song and "I Will Always Love You" on the same day. What a day!

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Author Lauren Hoffman

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On This Day In 1971: Dolly Parton Released ‘Coat of Many Colors’

Dolly Parton's 77 Very Best Songs

77- “Run, Rose, Run”

76 – “Big Dreams and Faded Jeans”

75 – “Straight Talk” – 1992

74 – “These Old Bones” – 2002

73 – “Here I Am” – 2018

72 – “Holdin’ On To You” w/ Elle King – 2018

71 – “Not Enough” w/ Queen Latifah – 2012

70 – “Don’t Think Twice” – 2014

69 – “Lay Your Hands On Me” – 2014

68 – “Better Day” – 2011

67 – “When Life Is Good Again” – 2020

66 – “Backwood Barbie” – 2008

65 – “If I Were A Carpenter” w/ Joe Nichols -2005

64 – “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” w/ Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn – 1993

63 – “Red, White and Bluegrass” – 2003

62 – “Better Get To Livin'” – 2008

61 – “Lovesick Blues” w/ Patsy Cline, Loretta, Tammy – 1993

60 – “Halos and Horns” – 1998

59 – “Down From Dover” – 1970

58 – “Seven Bridges Road” – 2000

57 – “Travelin’ Prayer” – 1999

56 – “Honky Tonk Songs” – 1998

55 – “I Still Miss Someone” – 1999

54 – “Time and Tears” – 1998

53 – “The Camel’s Heart – 1998

52 – “The Grass Is Blue” – 1999

51 – “The Salt In My Tears” – 1998

50 – “Me and Little Andy” – 1977

49 – “To Daddy” – 1994

48 – “After The Goldrush” w/ the Trio – 1999

47 – “Starting Over Again” – 1980

46 – “Single Women” – 1982

45 – “Heartsongs” – 1994

44 – “Yellow Roses” – 1989

43 – “You Can’t Make Old Friends” w/ Kenny Rogers – 2014

42 – “Pure and Simple” – 2016

41 – “Traveling Man” – 1971

40 – “Don’t Call It Love” – 1985

39 – “All I Can Do” – 1976

38 – “Light Of A Clear Blue Morning” – 1977

37 – “Romeo” w/ Billy Ray Cyrus, Tanya Tucker – 1993

35 – “Wildflowers” – w/ Trio – 1987

34 – “Appalachian Memories” – 1983

33 – “Calm On The Water” – 1983

32 – “The Seeker” – 1975

31 – “Heartbreak Express.” – 1982

30 – “The Bargain Store” – 1975

29 – “The PMS Blues” – 1994

28 – “Baby I’m Burning” – 1978

27 – “Applejack” – 1977

26 – “Love is Like A Butterfly” – 1974

25 – “Hush Bye Hard Times” – 1980

24 – “Twelfth of Never” w/ Keith Urban – 2005

23 – “What A Heartache” – 1991

22 – “Stairway To Heaven” – 2002

21 – “Eagle When She Flies” – 1991

20 – “Tennessee Homesick Blues” – 1984

19 – “Down” – 1979

18 – “Why’d You Come In Here Lookin’ Like That” – 1989

17 – “Lonely Comin’ Down” – 1974

16 – “Old Flames ( Can’t Hold A Candle To You)” – 1980

15 – “My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy” – 1969

14 – “One Emotion After Another” – 1984

13 – “Islands In The Steam” – 1982

12 – “It’s Such A Heartache” – 1985

11 – “Two Doors Down” – 1977

10 – “Think About Love” – 1985

9 – “Nickels and Dimes” – 1978

8 – “Jesus and Gravity” – 2008

7 – “He’s Alive” 1989

6 – “Joshua” – 1971

5 – “9 to 5” – 1980

4 – “Here You Come Again” – 1977

3 – “Coat Of Many Colors” 1971

2 – “I Will Always Love You” – 1974

1 – “Jolene” – 1974