Dolly Parton vowed to release a rock album after being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2022, which she originally rejected but subsequently accepted. According to Parton, the album’s working idea entails more than just covering songs; she also plans to include some original songs and invite the many rock bands linked with each song to join her.
“I thought about writing a song called ‘Rock of Ages,’ where I get all the great old rock and rollers,” she shared, “the people that I have always admired and respected.”
In the months before and after her induction into the Rock Hall on November 5, Parton kept her promise and disclosed more of the songs she intended to include on her album.
Here Are The List Of Songs Dolly Parton Will Cover On Her Rock Album
“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,” The Rolling Stones (1965)
One of the songs Parton intends to cover is the Rolling Stones’ 1965 smash “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” It is unclear whether the Stones will join her on the album, however, Parton has stated that she wants them to.
“I’ve always wanted to do the song ‘Satisfaction,’” said Parton. “That’s one of my husband’s favorite songs. And I may have to drag Mick [Jagger]’s guys up there to help me sing it.”
“Stairway to Heaven,” Led Zeppelin (1971)
Dolly would also want to witness the surviving members of Led Zeppelin perform “Stairway to Heaven” from 1971. Parton has long been a fan of “Stairway to Heaven,” and a rendition of the song appeared on her 2002 album Halos & Horns. “I’m trying to see if Robert Plant might sing on it,” said Parton. “Maybe Jimmy Page might do the pick-up part on it.”
“Free Bird,” Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973)
Parton also made mention of recording the iconic “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd in a recent interview. “I may do up a version of something like [Lynyrd Skynyrd’s] “Free Bird,” said Parton, “and do my own versions of some classic things that I think would make good rock and roll songs.” The lyrics of “Free Bird,” the band’s hallmark song that was first made public as the last track on their self-titled debut in 1973, discuss the freedom and loneliness of touring.
“Open Arms,” Journey (1981)
Parton stated that she and Perry will perform a rendition of Journey’s 1981 smash song “Open Arms” during her Rock Hall address, where she also highlighted a number of musicians she hopes to work with on the album. Just a few days after Dolly Parton was inducted, former Journey singer Steve Perry announced that he will play on Parton’s future rock album. “If Dolly says it’s true, then it must be true,” Perry confirmed his involvement in his tweet. “Her voice is amazing.”
“Purple Rain,” Prince (1984)
Prince’s “Purple Rain,” the title track of his sixth album from 1984, the soundtrack for the movie of the same name, was another timeless song that Parton pledged to perform on her album when she recently made an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.