Dolly Parton Says Her Song With Queen Latifah Is One of Her ‘Better Songs’
Dolly Parton has collaborated with many artists throughout the years. She says one of the “better” songs she recorded was with entertainer Queen Latifah. Here’s what she said about their collaboration.
Dolly Parton’s collaborations with Kenny Rogers
Parton looks back fondly on her collaborations with late country star Kenny Rogers. In her book Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, she says one of her favorite projects was the Christmas album she recorded with him titled Once Upon a Christmas. She loves this project so much that she plays the album during the Christmas season every year. Parton explains the title song is her version of the Christmas story. She penned the 1973 song when she and her husband were in the process of building their home in Nashville.
Parton has also collaborated with artists such as Reba McEntire, Porter Wagoner, and Vince Gill. During an interview with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live, Parton says she was excited to do a duet with McEntire. “I’ve always wanted to sing with her,” says Parton. “And I don’t know why we never did it until now. But we really sounded good together.”
Dolly Parton says this song with Queen Latifah is one of her ‘better songs’
Back in 2012, Parton starred in the movie Joyful Noise alongside Queen Latifah. She recorded songs for the movie’s soundtrack. One of Parton’s favorite songs from the soundtrack is “He’s Everything,” which she recorded with Queen Latifah. In her book, Parton says this is one of her “better” songs.
Parton enjoys writing simple songs that “grow big with an orchestra or choir” as the song progresses. She was touched when she saw how much the cast was affected by her song. During the scene when she sang the song, she could see how much the song moved the cast members. Parton says witnessing this made her want to “high five God” for inspiring her write the song.
Parton says she regularly asks God to show her how to inspire others and bring Him glory. She wants people to “see and feel” God through her work. Parton says she was “humbled” after seeing how her song affected others.
Queen Latifah’s entertainment career
Queen Latifah got her start in the music industry. She was a beatboxer for the hip-hop group Ladies Fresh. She was also part of the group Flavor Unit. Fab 5 Freddie, host of Yo! MTV Raps, received a recording of Queen Latifah’s music. An executive at Tommy Boy Records heard her music and offered her a record deal.
Queen Latifah released her first studio album, All Hail the Queen, in 1989. This album, which peaked at No. 6 on the U.S. R&B chart, resulted in the hit single “Ladies First.” She released her sophomore album, Nature of a Sista, in 1991. Her other studio albums include Black Reign (1993), Order in the Court (1998), Travl’in’ Light (2007), and Persona (2009).
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