Dolly Parton - Coat of Many Colors

Oh, those damn Smoky Mountains. How many stories do you hold?

“Although we had no money, I was rich as I could be”, Dolly Parton sings on the title track of her 1971 album Coat of Many Colors. It was already the eighth studio album from the 25-year-old country star, and on this record, much like the very Coat of Many Colors sewn for her from rags, she tells different stories from her life, diving into her family, her childhood, her very humble beginnings, her own personal history, feelings of love, struggles, and emotional turmoil.

Despite not being the most diverse album in Dolly Parton's discography, it is definitely such a sweet little great classic folk-country record that will make you smile no matter what. Because country music is about feelings, and Dolly was a master at making you feel joy.

At the same time, this is a very cohesive album, giving us one of the most touching and sweet songs in Dolly Parton's career — “Coat of Many Colors”, about her family and how she understood her poor origins but still felt happy and loved, which made the song such an iconic country ballad. There is also the charismatic “Traveling Man”, with its stunning vocal performance, the very straightforward and unusual “She Never Met a Man (She Didn't Like)”, plenty of other ballads, the gorgeous “Early Morning Breeze”, and the explosive “Here I Am”.

This album never overstays its welcome and, in just 27 minutes, tells you different interesting and deeply engaging stories of love and betrayal, of happiness and struggle, as well as great observations and pure emotions, because the coolest thing about this album is its absolutely stunning lyrics and storytelling. When you listen to it, you never feel like skipping to the next song or even thinking about something sad or dark, because even on her most ballad-driven compositions, Dolly Parton finds light and a sparkle that is difficult to find in anyone else to the same extent that she had it.

Thank you, Dolly.

Rest in peace.