Dolly Parton 'Rockstar:' Cover of 'Wrecking Ball' With Miley Cyrus Dropped

Dolly Parton
Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Dolly Parton's 49th solo studio album in a career that began in 1956 at the age of 10, marks her entry into the rock n' roll genre.

The Queen Of Country continued the promotional effort with the release of her cover version of Miley Cyrus' original song Wrecking Ball, even though the new full-length album isn't due out until November 17.

After 44 Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and 110 career-charting singles during her illustrious career, Parton, a living legend of country music, seems to be going all in and enjoying the concept of working with a more rock sound.

The now 77-year-old rural Tennessee native posted a picture of herself looking gorgeous next to Cyrus, who also happens to be her goddaughter, on her Instagram page.

"Wrecking Ball (feat. Miley Cyrus)" Parton's announcement in the post's caption read.

The song Wrecking Ball, which Cyrus first released on her fourth studio album Bangerz, became a significant hit for her in the latter part of that year. The song was released as the album's second single and began at number 50 on the Billboard Hot 100 before rising to the top of the list to become Cyrus' first song to reach that position.

When Parton decided she wanted to toughen up her sound, she chose a variety of rock tunes for various musicians. Eventually, the Jolene singer-songwriter launched the Rockstar campaign with the May 11 release of the single, World On Fire, one of the album's original songs that Parton composed.

The next day, she stepped up the ante with another Instagram post asking, "Are you ready for "Rockstar?"

ALSO READ: Dolly Parton Recalls Over-The-Top Fashion Choices From the Past; Did She Regret Her Big Haird-Dos?

Pre-orders for box sets, vinyl, and CDs are now open! Before they're gone, get some #dollyrockstar. Parton dressed the role, fusing parts of the vintage rockabilly style with her distinctive style and appearance.

In the promotional photo, she was seated behind the wheel of a hot rod while wearing a skirt and shirt with a snakeskin pattern that fitted her well-known curves from top to bottom.

A little more than a month later, Anne and Nancy Wilson of the renowned rock group Heart would appear on the follow-up single, Magic Man. The women are only two of many real rockers who agreed to take part in Parton's maiden foray into a more rock-oriented sound.

Rob Halford of Judas Priest, Nikki Sixx, and John 5 of Motley Crue, Sting, John Fogerty, Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, and Richie Sambora, formerly of Bon Jovi, are just a few of the rock musicians that have worked together. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith, Warren Hayes, widely known for his work with The Allman Brothers, Peter Frampton, Brandi Carlile, Debbie Harry of Blondie, Pink, and Kevin Cronin of REP Speedwagon are all involved in the collaborations.

After working with Cyrus's father, Billy Ray Cyrus, and growing close to him in the early 1990s, Parton agreed to be Cyrus's godmother. The I Will Always Love You singer and songwriter received recognition last year when she was admitted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Parton was initially perplexed by the notion of a country music performer being inducted into the revered ranks of rock music, but she eventually came to appreciate the compliment and developed the need to ultimately record a rock song.

READ ALSO: Dolly Parton 'What's Going on': Country Star Loved Collaborating With 4 Non Blondes Legend Linda Perry

Tags
Dolly Parton
Join the Discussion
Real Time Analytics