The 21 Most Surprising Dolly Parton Cover Songs That Shocked The Music World (And Who She Sang Them With)

Dolly Parton, the Queen of Country, has built a legendary career on her unparalleled songwriting, but in the last few years, she has proven that her voice can conquer any genre. As of December 2025, the most talked-about and current topic in her discography is her monumental shift into the world of rock and roll, culminating in a massive, star-studded album of cover songs that redefined her legacy. This project, alongside a viral 90s cover, has cemented her status as a true musical chameleon, capable of transforming any hit into a signature "Dolly" song.

The intention behind this deep dive into rock and pop covers was to secure her place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a move that initially caused controversy but ultimately resulted in one of the most exciting and entity-rich albums of her career. The result is a treasure trove of unexpected vocal performances and legendary collaborations that offer a fresh perspective on both her artistry and the classic rock canon.

Dolly Parton: A Brief Musical Profile and Recent Milestones

Dolly Rebecca Parton was born on January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee, and began her career in the mid-1960s, rising to prominence as a duet partner with Porter Wagoner. Her unique blend of Appalachian folk, country, and pop has led to over 50 studio albums and a record-breaking 26 number-one hits on the Billboard Country chart. Her career profile is marked by relentless creativity and business acumen.

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• Full Name: Dolly Rebecca Parton
• Born: January 19, 1946 (Age 79 as of late 2025)
• Hometown: Sevierville, Tennessee, U.S.
• Spouse: Carl Dean (m. 1966)
• Key Collaborators: Porter Wagoner, Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, and now, a new generation of rock legends.
• Recent Major Project: The 30-track *Rockstar* album (2023), featuring 21 cover songs.
• Notable 2024/2025 News: Ongoing work on the *Smoky Mountain DNA: Family, Faith and Fables* project, a new compilation album in May 2025, and a viral cover of "What's Up" with Linda Perry.

The Shocking 21: Deep Dive into Dolly’s *Rockstar* Cover Songs

The *Rockstar* album, released in late 2023, is the definitive collection of Dolly Parton's cover songs, and it is the freshest and most comprehensive source of her non-original material. The album’s premise was simple: take 21 iconic rock anthems and give them the full Dolly treatment, often with the original artists joining her. This move not only broadened her topical authority but also created a definitive list of unexpected covers that demand attention.

The sheer volume of collaborators and the surprising song choices make this album a goldmine for music fans. Here are some of the most impactful and surprising cover songs from the *Rockstar* tracklist, showcasing the breadth of her ambition and the legendary talent she recruited.

Category 1: The Beatles & Classic Rock Royalty

Dolly Parton’s ability to bring together feuding or long-separated artists is a testament to her universal appeal. Her covers of The Beatles' classics are arguably the album's centerpiece, bringing together two musical titans for the first time in decades.

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• "Let It Be" (The Beatles): This cover is a monumental achievement, featuring the two surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, alongside Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood. Hearing McCartney on piano and Starr on drums for this track is a historic moment in music history, all orchestrated by Dolly.
• "Stairway to Heaven" (Led Zeppelin): Dolly had previously covered this in a bluegrass style, but her *Rockstar* version is a full-throttle rock rendition, proving she can handle one of rock's most sacred texts.
• "Wrecking Ball" (Miley Cyrus): A deeply personal cover, as Miley Cyrus is Dolly's goddaughter. This powerful rendition of Cyrus's hit is a beautiful, full-circle moment, with Miley joining her on vocals.

Category 2: Unexpected 70s & 80s Rock Anthems

The most shocking aspect of *Rockstar* is how seamlessly Dolly’s voice blends with hard rock and arena anthems. These covers demonstrate her vocal power and her willingness to tackle songs far outside the country genre's traditional boundaries.

• "Every Breath You Take" (The Police): Collaborating with the original artist, Sting, Dolly brings a new, haunting depth to this classic 1983 hit. The blend of their distinct voices makes this a standout track, transforming the song into a dramatic country-rock ballad.
• "Open Arms" (Journey): Joined by the original vocalist, Steve Perry, this is one of the most anticipated power ballads on the album. Perry’s return to this iconic song with Dolly was a major event for rock fans.
• "Purple Rain" (Prince): A bold and emotional choice, Dolly’s cover of this 1984 masterpiece is a tribute to the late rock icon, showcasing her ability to handle complex, soaring melodies.
• "Long As I Can See the Light" (Creedence Clearwater Revival): Featuring John Fogerty, the original songwriter, this collaboration is a perfect blend of country soul and classic rock grit.
• "You’re No Good" (Linda Ronstadt): A nod to her famous Trio work, Dolly covers this song with her long-time collaborators Emmylou Harris and Sheryl Crow, bringing a fresh, multi-generational feel to the classic.

The remaining cover songs on the *Rockstar* album are a testament to her deep appreciation for the genre, featuring an astonishing array of entities and collaborations:

• "Magic Man" (Heart) with Ann Wilson.
• "Heartbreaker" (Pat Benatar) with Pat Benatar.
• "I Hate Myself for Loving You" (Joan Jett & the Blackhearts) with Joan Jett.
• "I Love Rock 'N' Roll" (The Arrows/Joan Jett).
• "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (Elton John).
• "Wipe Out" (The Surfaris) with Sara Evans and Gary Rossington.
• "Free Bird" (Lynyrd Skynyrd) with Zachary Allen Hickman.
• "What’s Up?" (4 Non Blondes).

The Viral 90s Cover: Dolly’s "What's Up" with Linda Perry

Beyond the behemoth that is *Rockstar*, Dolly Parton proved in late 2024 and 2025 that she can still capture the cultural zeitgeist with a single, stripped-down performance. Her cover of the 1993 4 Non Blondes hit, "What's Up", with the song’s original writer and vocalist, Linda Perry, went viral across social media platforms like TikTok.

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This cover is a perfect example of a modern, fresh Dolly Parton cover song. It's a raw, acoustic rendition that showcases the emotional power of her voice without the full production of an album. Fans praised the stripped-down performance, calling it "the cover we didn't know we wanted." The collaboration with Perry, a 90s legend, created a powerful moment of musical synergy, blending the Queen of Country's timeless sound with the raw angst of alternative rock.

The Legacy of Dolly Parton’s Cover Versions

While the *Rockstar* album is her most current and ambitious project, Dolly Parton has a long history of making other artists' songs her own. Her extensive discography contains numerous examples of her taking a song and transforming it with her distinct Appalachian phrasing and vocal purity. For example, her 1984 album, *The Great Pretender*, was entirely composed of cover songs, including The Platters’ "The Great Pretender" and Johnny Cash’s "I Walk the Line".

The common thread in all of Dolly Parton's cover songs—from the deep-cut country classics to the massive rock anthems—is her ability to find the emotional core of the lyric. She doesn't just sing the song; she finds a way to relate it back to her own life and experiences, giving her versions a unique topical authority that transcends genre. Her latest projects, particularly the *Rockstar* album, are not just covers; they are a celebration of music history, a testament to her enduring power, and a surprising, fresh chapter in her legendary career.