Dolly Parton Picks Her Proudest Songwriting Moment — And It’s Not A Chart-Topper

Dolly Parton has long been associated with country music’s highest achievements, having seen 25 of her songs soar to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart over her storied career.

But when it comes to personal pride, one song stands above the rest for the 78-year-old singer-songwriter — and it’s not the chart-topping hit fans might expect.

Known for both her public and private acts of kindness, Dolly Parton has built a legacy that extends beyond her musical accomplishments, yet this one song remains close to her heart, encapsulating a lifetime of experience, emotion, and a love of storytelling.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Parton revealed that, while she's penned and performed some of the world’s most beloved songs, her personal favorite is one that holds a deeply personal resonance.

"Well, I’m proud of all of them," the singer-songwriter said. "I think the one that’s most personal to me is the lil’ 'Coat of Many Colors,' because it talks about my mom, my parents, and kind of gives you an insight. It also covers bullying, acceptance and all that."

Released in September 1971, "Coat of Many Colors" is a song Parton wrote about her childhood, capturing the memory of her mother sewing a coat from rags for her to wear.

Although Parton didn’t select one of her iconic hits like "Jolene" or "I Will Always Love You" as her all-time favorite, she did open up about how proud she is of "Jolene," mainly due to its success.

"Of course, the one that’s most recorded is 'Jolene.' That seems to be the favorite," she added. "Do you know that song has been recorded, somebody told me, 450 times in the last 52 years? I’m so proud of it."

"And 'I Will Always Love You' is one is the great love songs, so I’m very proud of that too," Parton noted.

In an interview with Allrecipes, Parton and her younger sister, George, offered a heartfelt glimpse into their upbringing, reflecting on the values that defined their childhood. Their cookbook, "Good Lookin' Cookin'," draws inspiration from three core aspects that shaped their family life: a love of home-cooked meals, a deep sense of togetherness, and a strong tradition of sharing through food.

"God, music, and food were the three big things in our family," Parton explained. "I think you always link those childhood memories with certain childhood foods that you love and the people that prepare them for you."

She added, "I cook more like Mama — a handful of this, a handful of that. Rachel is also very creative, but she wants to make sure it's going to taste good, too — she's not as sloppy as I am."

Dolly Parton is set to bring her life story to Broadway with a new musical titled "Hello, I'm Dolly," scheduled to debut in 2026. The title pays homage to her 1967 debut album, "Hello, I'm Dolly."

"Hello, I'm Dolly! I've been writing my life story as a Broadway musical for several years and I'm proud to announce we are finally developing 'Hello, I'm Dolly - An Original Musical' for the Broadway stage," she announced on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

The production will feature a mix of her classic hits and new songs written specifically for the show. Parton will co-write the book with Maria S. Schlatter and serve as a producer alongside Adam Speers and Danny Nozell.

The musical aims to capture the essence of Parton's journey from her humble beginnings to becoming a country music icon.

Dolly Parton’s remarkable career, spanning over six decades, has solidified her status as one of country music’s most enduring icons.

Known for timeless hits like "Jolene," "Coat of Many Colors," "9 to 5," and "I Will Always Love You"—famously covered by Whitney Houston—Parton has left an indelible mark on music history.

With 11 Grammy Awards to her name, Parton has also made her mark across other prestigious realms, earning nominations in each of the remaining EGOT categories: the Emmy, Oscar, and Tony Awards.