I think we already have a 2023 album of the year contender…
Dolly Parton revealed that she’s been hard at work on her full-blown rock and roll album, telling Kelly Clarkson during an appearance on her show this week that it will be coming out sometime next year.
Kelly opened the interview by asking Dolly about her recent induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as Dolly brought her trophy along to show the audience.
She also spoke a little bit about why she initially turned down the invitation, though the country music legend was ultimately inducted alongside the likes of Eminem, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, Eurythmics, Lionel Richie, and Carly Simon as part of the 2022 class.
Dolly gave Kelly a little insight to her new rock song she debuted at the ceremony called “Rockin’ It,” too, in addition to confirming that the album will include several rock classics, where she will be joined by some of the most iconic rock artists in the genre (she has yet to reveal who they are specifically, though).
She also said she was going to call it Rock Star as a sort of tongue in cheek homage to the fact that she isn’t technically a rock star, and I couldn’t quite tell if she was being serious about that part, but I would love it if that really is the album title (because that’s exactly what she is):
“I talk about the whole thing, how they put me in the Hall of Fame… but I was honored, and I’m proud.
I’m doing a rock album, and I’m callin’ it ‘Rock Star,’ just for fun, tongue in cheek.
But I’m doing classic songs and I’m using a lot of the classic artists, too, to sing on the songs with me. So I’m lookin’ forward to that, that’s gonna come out next year.”
She had previously said she’d put out a full-blown rock and roll album in light of her newest milestone, mostly because she felt like she needed to truly “earn” the award, though she clearly already has and then some.
But Dolly being the queen that she is, feels like she owes it to the world to really earn her keep there… and that’s the thing about Dolly, she’s always gonna put her money where her mouth is, so to speak, and I love her for it.
And hey, maybe will finally get that “Satisfaction” duet with Mick Jagger… can you even imagine? It might actually happen, because I don’t think even the Rolling Stones frontman could say no to Dolly Parton.
I, for one, am just beyond excited to see who she’s been working with and finally get to hear the whole project, because there’s no doubt in my mind it will be completely exceptional and totally freaking rock.
You can check out that part of the interview with Kelly here:
And make sure you give “Rockin’ It” a listen if you haven’t already: