Sheldon, I really agree with the comment that you have written, you said it so well: “so many of Dolly’s great songs are buried on albums and were never released as singles…”

1)The Stranger
I am not sure if this song has ever been recorded. I heard it the first time on a Kenny & Dolly CD and Kenny Rogers actually sang the song…he called it his favorite Dolly song. I also saw Dolly perform the song on her most recent variety show on ABC, with Ned Beatty playing the father. It is the only Dolly song that really gets me, over and over. “…and Mama don’t need you anymore and I don’t need you like before, you can go on back to where you were before, you’re just a stranger.” It is just a powerful song.
2)Silver Dagger
A new recording but it really sounds like a vintage Dolly song, like My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy. I never tire of it. It is haunting and it is good.
3)Jesus & Gravity
If you ever had trouble simplifying your life and getting back to basics, this song puts it all in perspective.
4)She Never Met a Man She Didn’t Like
I heard this song, for the first time when I was in high school. It was on a re-issued record, with Mule Skinner Blues and this instantly became my favorite song.
5)Falling out of love with me
All I Can Do is my favorite Dolly album of all time. I was listening to this album outside and I noticed that the birds were singing along to this song. I never forgot that. And I am not kidding!
6)Here I Am
This song was on the Coat of Many Colors album and I love it!
7)Dagger Through the Heart
The video for this song was dramatic and poignant and really conveyed the sadness of the lyrics. Kind of reminded me of Sinead O’Connor.
8)It’s Too Late to Love me Now
Heartbreaker was a slick, city record. It’s a fun album. This song is like someone opening the window and letting some fresh air in.
9)Appalachian Memories
Everyone needs to be reminded of the sacrifices people make.
10)We Used to
Haunting song, on the same album as I Will Always Love You, the original.
11)Time and Tears
The album Hungry Again is one of my favorites, maybe my second favorite and this song and the next two are from that album.
12)The Camel’s Heart
13)When Jesus Comes Calling for me
14)A Little At a Time
This is a really funny song and even though it was recorded a long time ago and I am not sure if stores do layaways any more but I think it is still relevant. “I want to put a dollar on my mink collar.”
15)Act Like A Fool
This is from the Heartbreak Express album and showcases Dolly’s voice a little differently. It is also a song that keeps repeating in my head over and over. Not that I act like a fool or anything.
16)Steady as the Rain
I love the Banjo on this song, it’s like Time and Tears.
17)Marry Me
I think a lot of us agree about this song.
18)Kentucky Gambler
Merle Haggard sang this song and I am sure that Dolly sang sang in the background. I love all the versions, as this is a great song and like many of the story songs, it always has a twisted ending.
19)Elusive Butterfly
I never heard this song before, so, for me, when I heard it on The Great Pretender, it was kind of brand new and I love it.
20)River of Happiness
I think this was on the Jolene album, which harkens back to my youth. Great song.
21) I Feel the Blues Movin’ In
Del McCoury sang this song too but I really like Dolly’s version.
22) Life’s Like Poetry
This is a Merle Haggard song and it’s on the All I Can Do album. It is a sweet song.
23) Stand By the River (with Dottie Rambo)
Gosh, I saw this on You Tube and it just makes you feel good!
24) The Blues Man (with George Jones)
If ever there was a song that conveys the love and gratitude between a couple, this is it. Two are better than one, because if one falls, the other is there to pick him up. I think that is in the Bible.
25) Love is Like a Butterfly
FLASH: SIGNATURE SONG!!! This is one of two songs that makes you think Dolly Parton (the other is Coat of Many Colors).

There are so many other songs that I wanted to include like TOUCH YOUR WOMAN, the Melissa Etheridge duet from CMT Crossroads BRING ME SOME WATER, The Grass is Blue, the Brad Paisley Duet, I’m Gone, Mountain Angel, Big Wind…it is really challenging to narrow it down to just 25 songs. It just makes you realize what an unbelievable talent Dolly Parton has, to still be a relevant and significant artist for so many decades. And the irony that while some get caught up with the exterior, a very real, a very authentic heart and soul, an American original resides under all that stuff. All you need to do is to listen.

God bless Dolly Parton for her courage, her strength..she has made such a difference in so many lives!

Eagle when she flies
Smokey Mountain Memories
Paradise Road
Light of a clear Blue Morning
Travelling Thru
Green Eyed Boy
Deportee
Better Get to Livin’
The Grass is Blue
The Beautiful Lie
I am Ready
Welcome Home
Hello God
Heaven’s Just A Prayer Away
Crimson & Clover
Sweet Summer lovin’

I could go on…….

1. Of course, coat of Many colors–the message behind it and the sould touching way she sings it and can really reach your heart. To see her sing it now on stage as she cradels her autoharp and talks about her late mother brings tears to my eyes!

2. Light of A Clear Blue Morning! My own song of deliverance. No matter what, “It’s all gonna be alright, its gonna be okay, cause I can see the light of a clear blue morning!”

3. Travelin’ Thru–a song so worthy of the oscar that it didnt’ win! A song chronicling someone travelin’ thru life just doing the best that they can konwing that they are here for reason and have a purpose and just trying to figure it out. A song I think everyone of every walk can relate too!

4. Paradise Road–this song tells about how her “kingdom within” helped her through a childhood of poverty. I can just relate to having that place inside to retreat to when life gets too tough–I just love it!

5. Wildflowers–she is someone who wants more in life than the garden variety of flowers that she is surrounded by, so she uproots herself and flies with the wind to fulfill her dreams. Incredible!!

My list could go on and on, but those are the most touching to me!

I much prefer her commercial pop hits to the bluegrass stuff.

Also, Dolly’s “Marry Me” reminds me of Patty Loveless and Emory Gordy Jr.’s great Bluegrass song “Big Chance”…Both are similar in subject and theme, both are uptempo, and humorous.