{"id":46070,"date":"2025-09-08T18:50:57","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T18:50:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/08\/dolly-parton-proves-shes-still-queen-of-country-duets\/"},"modified":"2025-09-08T18:50:57","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T18:50:57","slug":"dolly-parton-proves-shes-still-queen-of-country-duets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/musicianvoice.com\/index.php\/2025\/09\/08\/dolly-parton-proves-shes-still-queen-of-country-duets\/","title":{"rendered":"Dolly Parton Proves She’s Still Queen of Country Duets"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A good song becomes a great song when Dolly Parton<\/a> joins Zac Brown Band<\/a>‘s “Butterfly.”<\/p>\n

Seriously though, how often has that been the case?<\/p>\n

The country legend seems to be\u00a0amid a collaboration era. After pairing up with\u00a0Sabrina\u00a0Carpenter for “Please Please Please” <\/a>earlier this year, she said “yes” to Brown and his bandmates for a song from the upcoming\u00a0Love & Fear<\/em> album.<\/p>\n

Post Malone<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Lainey Wilson<\/a>\u00a0are\u00a0two more contemporary artists she’s leant vocals to lately.<\/p>\n

How Old Is Dolly Parton?<\/h3>\n

Parton is pushing 80 (born Jan. 19, 1946), but she’s still more versatile than artists one-third her age.<\/p>\n

On paper, the lyrics to “Butterfly” seem pulled from a motivational poster, but premature criticism would dismiss the Dolly effect.<\/p>\n

“Butterfly, you will see \/ You\u2019re so much stronger than you think you are \/ You just have to believe \/ You can fly, mend your wings \/ Any moment you can free yourself \/ And fly out of the darkness, butterfly,”<\/em> Brown and Parton sing at each chorus.<\/p>\n

Listen through the key change to fully appreciate this recording.<\/p>\n

Dolly Parton’s Best Duets<\/h3>\n

Our friends at\u00a0The Boot once ranked Dolly Parton’s best duets <\/a>and put “Islands\u00a0in the Stream” with Kenny Rogers<\/a> at No. 1. There’s little argument to be made for another, but that’s hardly her only great duet.<\/p>\n

“Everything’s Beautiful (In\u00a0Its Own Way)” with\u00a0Willie Nelson<\/a> is very memorable, as is “Rockin’ Years,” her 1991 hit with Ricky Van Shelton<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Related<\/strong><\/em>: What the Heck Happened\u00a0to Ricky Van Shelton?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Out-of-genre collabs with Norah Jones (“Creepin’ In”) and Miley Cyrus (a cover of “Wrecking Ball”) deserve mention, as does\u00a0Parton’s Grammy-winning collaboration with Pentatonix. They covered\u00a0her signature song “Jolene,” and it was an epiphany.<\/p>\n

Modern fans will point “When I Get Where I’m Going,” her 2005 hit with Brad Paisley<\/a>. That example is most comparable to “Butterfly” in the way her vocals make a very good song great.<\/p>\n

Poke around YouTube and you’ll find a dozen more Dolly Parton duets. If there’s a miss in the category, we never spotted it.<\/p>\n

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Zac Brown Band Dolly Parton<\/span><\/p>

Jeff Kravits, FilmMagic Via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

While it’s not totally clear how Parton and Brown teamed up, it’s quite possible the seed was planted at the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony when ZBB acted as Parton’s backing band<\/a> for the night.<\/p>\n

Zac Brown Band, Dolly Parton “Butterfly” Lyrics:<\/h3>\n

Innocence doesn\u2019t last for long \/ But whatever don\u2019t kill you makes you strong \/ Night is always darkest right before the dawn \/ So you can let down your armor guard gotta \/ Make room for who you are \/ The calloused hands that had held on to your heart \/ Gotta be pulled apart.<\/em><\/p>\n

Pre-Chorus<\/strong>
Like reflections on white powder snow \/ Your light was always bound to be shown \/ There\u2019s a beauty in your eyes \/ It\u2019s a wonder to behold.<\/em><\/p>\n

Chorus (Brown and Parton)<\/strong>
Butterfly, you will see \/ You\u2019re so much stronger than you think you are \/ You just have to believe \/ You can fly, mend your wings \/ Any moment you can free yourself \/ And fly out of the darkness, butterfly.<\/em><\/p>\n

Every branch broke on your family tree, you know you\u2019re \/ Better than what they couldn\u2019t be \/ You don\u2019t have to practice anything that they preach \/ Those that don\u2019t matter often mind \/ And Those that mind don\u2019t matter \/ Don\u2019t you pass them by \/ Oh you\u2019ll learn in time.<\/p>\n

Repeat Pre-Chorus<\/strong><\/p>\n

Repeat Chorus<\/strong><\/p>\n

There\u2019ll be times when your faith is gone \/ Give it one more day \/ Keep holding on \/ Oh it\u2019s not what they say \/ It\u2019s what you believe \/ That\u2019s gonna break the chains \/ Changing you to what you\u2019re gonna be.<\/p>\n

Repeat Chorus<\/strong><\/p>\n

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30 Photos of Dolly Parton Young<\/h2>\n
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Dolly Parton has been a fixture in country music and really, all of entertainment, since the 1960s. The only thing that has changed about the icon is her age \u2014 she’s as radiant as she’s ever been! Check out these pictures of a young Dolly Parton.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Gallery Credit: Evan Paul<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Best Country Duets | 55 Country Music Hits, Ranked<\/h2>\n
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Country is well known for duets, and there is no shortage of collaborations between men and women, women and women, or two men.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n