Dolly: We Will Always Love You
Dolly: We Will Always Love You
— David Eugene Perry
Oh my: this is heartbreaking. I wish Dolly Parton could have lived forever.
Every now and then, someone passes and everyone grieves. JFK was such a moment. Martin Luther King, Jr, Bobby, Princess Diana, Jimmy Carter. That’s the case today for Dolly Parton. I’m sure there are many people today playing her music in comfort and solidarity.
Dolly Parton was the voice of my Southern childhood, a Tennessee girl from the mountains whose talent, voice and consistent compassion and kindness were unequalled. Ditto for her embrace of her gay fans and the LGBT community. Just today before I heard the news, I had put on “Jolene” and “Nine to Five” (par for my musical course).
When I was young, I played the album “Trio” (with Dolly, Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt) so much I wore it out and had to re-buy it. Those three ladies, plus The Carpenters, were the soundtrack of my formative years. Patsy & Loretta, too. San Francisco’s Castro Theatre has done a tribute to her on their marquee.
Another reason to love Dolly: Travelin’ Thru” is an original song written and performed by country music icon Dolly Parton for the end credits of the 2005 comedy-drama film Transamerica.
Director Duncan Tucker personally approached Parton to pen the theme, aiming for an anthem that captured the emotional core of the movie’s protagonist, Bree, a trans woman navigating family, identity, and a cross-country road trip.
Below, some of favorite articles about Dolly and, perhaps, her most iconic song out of many iconic ones.
Dolly, as you wrote and sang, so I feel right now: We will always love you.