Part 2
Dolly started out on Porter's TV show back in the late '60s. She was a young, hungry singer-songwriter from Tennessee, and Porter gave her a platform. She agreed to stay five years. But when that time was up, she was ready to fly solo. Porter? Not so much. He didn't want her to go. And according to Dolly, they fought like cats and dogs. 'I was stubborn, and he was stubborn,' she says. 'It was one of those love/hate relationships.'
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So she went home heartbroken. And she wrote 'I Will Always Love You.' The next morning, she sang it to Porter. He cried. And then he said, 'Well, you can go if I can produce that song.' He did. And the rest is history.
Now, if you're like me, you might have assumed this was a romantic breakup song. But Dolly clarifies: it was about love, sure—but the love between two creative people who had to part ways professionally. It's a farewell, not a love letter. And that's what makes it so powerful.
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Jimmy Fallon calls it 'the greatest love song in the world.' Dolly, ever humble, just says, 'It's one of them.' And she's right. It's one of the greatest, period. Whitney Houston's 1992 cover for The Bodyguard turned it into a global phenomenon, but Dolly's original is the beating heart. She's been singing it for over 50 years, and it still hits.
But before we get to the next chapter of Dolly's empire, let me tell you a story she shared on The Tonight Show that had Jimmy Fallon in stitches. It's about her early days as a local celebrity in Tennessee—and a walking stick that left a lasting impression.
Back when Dolly was just a kid singing on local radio and TV, her family didn't even own a television. She was paid $12 to $15 a week. And with that money, she'd take her mom and sisters to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to the Pancake House. That was the big treat.
One day, an old man came up to her and pretended to be her grandpa so he could get a free meal. Dolly, being the sweetheart she is, went along with it. But when she confronted him later, he beat her with his walking stick. She joked that the lumps never went down. Jimmy Fallon totally fell for it—until Dolly cracked up. That's the thing about Dolly: she can spin a yarn like nobody else.
So there you have it: the story behind the song that made Whitney Houston a superstar and cemented Dolly Parton as one of the greatest songwriters of all time. It's a tale of love, loss, and a little bit of stubbornness. And it's just one of the many reasons we can't get enough of her.
But Dolly isn't done yet. She's got a new perfume, wigs, skincare—and she's still crushing it on Instagram. So stick around, because we're about to dive into what's next for the one and only Dolly Parton.
Dolly Parton's Next Chapter: Perfume, Wigs, and Skincare
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Dolly Parton is not done. Not even close. After five decades in the spotlight, she’s still dreaming up new ways to connect with us. And right now, that means perfume, wigs, and skincare. Yes, you read that right. Dolly is coming out with her own line of products, and if you’ve ever wondered what Dolly Parton smells like, you’re about to find out.
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During her recent chat with Jimmy Fallon, Dolly lit up when the topic turned to her upcoming ventures. “We’re going to do wigs and we’re going to do skin care and all that kind of stuff,” she said. “But I’m really excited about the perfume.” And why wouldn’t she be? People have been stopping her on the street for years, asking what she’s wearing. “They kind of follow me down the street, you know, wanting to know what I’m wearing, ’cause they love the smell,” she explained. So she figured, why not bottle it? “I’m going to develop my own scent. I don’t know what I’m going to call it. Maybe just Dolly. I don’t know yet.”
Now, if you’re like me, your first question is: What does Dolly Parton actually smell like? Jimmy Fallon asked exactly that. And Dolly, being Dolly, didn’t miss a beat. “Well, why don’t you come over here and see,” she purred, inviting him in for a whiff. What followed was pure comedic gold. Dolly leaned in and blew in his ear, and Jimmy, ever the gentleman, declared, “I got a buzz off of that.” Dolly laughed and said, “Let me tell you, girls, you never get too old to dream or fantasize. I felt that one.” It was playful, flirty, and utterly charming—classic Dolly.
So what can we expect from these products? Details are still under wraps, but Dolly’s excitement is contagious. She’s not just slapping her name on something; she’s developing a scent that captures her essence. And if her perfume is anything like her personality, it’ll be bold, sweet, and impossible to forget. The wigs and skincare line? Also in the works. Knowing Dolly, they’ll be glamorous, accessible, and probably a little bit extra—just like her.
But this isn’t just about products. It’s about Dolly’s relentless creativity and her ability to stay connected. Take her Instagram, for example. Jimmy pointed out that she’s been “crushing it” with her throwback posts. One photo showed Dolly with Oprah, Carol Burnett, and Julie Andrews, captioned “Squad goals.” Dolly laughed, admitting she couldn’t remember exactly when it was taken, but she remembered the company. “We must have been doing some special with the greats,” she said. “I just cannot remember when we took that picture. And I didn’t know they were doing that behind our backs either.” That mix of nostalgia and humor is why her feed is so addictive. She’s not just a legend; she’s your favorite follow.
