Dolly Parton’s Greatest Songs Tell Stories of Love, Work, Home

Dolly Parton was famous for many things, but she was especially talented at writing songs.

She wrote about her own childhood, family and marriage.

In “Coat of Many Colors,” she remembered a coat her mother made from scraps.

“Jolene” was inspired by a woman who flirted with her husband.

“I Will Always Love You” was written when Parton left Porter Wagoner’s television show.

Whitney Houston later made the song famous around the world.

Parton also wrote “9 to 5” for a movie about working women and unfair pay.

Her later songs returned to bluegrass, gospel and Appalachian folk sounds.

Together, the songs show how Parton turned personal experiences into widely loved music.