People Told Dolly Parton She Was ‘Crazy’ for Trying to Cover 2 Classic Songs

In 1977, the iconic Dolly Parton released her album New Harvest … First Gathering, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career. Notably, this album featured two cover songs that sparked considerable conversation and controversy among her fans and critics. While Parton has always been celebrated for her songwriting prowess, her decision to include these covers was driven by a deep personal connection to the songs from her youth.

Dolly Parton Covered 2 of Her Favorite Songs on the Album ‘New Harvest … First Gathering’

New Harvest … First Gathering was not Parton’s first solo venture, but it was her inaugural attempt at self-producing an album. With aspirations of crossover success, Parton aimed to transcend her established fame in Nashville and achieve broader recognition. The album predominantly showcased her songwriting talent, with eight original tracks. However, the inclusion of The Temptations’ “My Girl” and Jackie Wilson’s “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher” as cover songs was a bold move that surprised many.

Parton had cherished these songs since her teenage years and had always wanted to cover them. With the creative freedom afforded by self-producing, she seized the opportunity. Despite her enthusiasm, this decision was met with skepticism.

“Everyone thought I was crazy when I said I wanted to record them,” Parton revealed in an interview with Alanna Nash for the book Dolly.

Critics were divided. Some felt that Parton’s country-inflected renditions of the classic hits didn’t quite fit, while others saw the inclusion of non-country songs as a deviation from her Nashville roots.

People Felt Dolly Parton Was Moving Away from Country Music When She Covered These Songs

Parton’s ambition to achieve mainstream success and a spot on the pop charts was met with resistance from some of her Nashville peers. This move was perceived by some as a departure from her country music foundation.

“Any time you make a change, you gotta pay the price,” Parton wrote in an advertisement for the album. “A lot of country people feel I’m leaving the country, that I’m not proud of Nashville, which is the biggest lie there is. I don’t want to leave the country, but to take the whole country with me wherever I go. There are really no limits now.”

Despite the backlash, many in the music community stood by Parton’s artistic decisions, recognizing her desire to push boundaries and evolve as an artist.

She Said the Album Meant a Great Deal to Her

New Harvest … First Gathering holds a special place in Parton’s heart, representing a significant moment in her career where she exercised full creative control. The freedom to cover beloved songs without external pressure was a milestone for her.

“Even if it doesn’t sell a nickel’s worth, it will always be my special album, because it was the first time in my whole life I got to do something totally on my own,” Parton shared, adding, “This is by far the best thing I’ve ever done. It was the first chance I had to have total musical freedom and self-expression — the first time I’ve ever produced anything. I got all my ideas down and also had some great ideas from the creative people in my group, like Gregg. But it’s the first thing I’ve done of this nature, and it’s not the only kind of thing I’m ever gonna be doin’.”

For Parton, this album was a testament to her ability to grow and push creative boundaries, paving the way for future endeavors that would continue to expand her artistic horizons.