Remembering Dolly Parton, Whose Music and Generosity Weathered Every Storm

The world lost an undisputed ray of sunshine on Tuesday when country music legend Dolly Parton passed away at the age of 80. Through her remarkable career, Parton has leaned on weather as a muse for many of her most famous songs. Here is a look at how weather has inspired Parton over the years.

Dolly Frequently Weaved Weather Into Her Songwriting

Whether singing about stormy conditions or clear blue skies, the weather has been a common theme in many of Parton's songs. One of her first hits was "Big Wind," a song that became a cornerstone of her 1969 album "My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy." The tune describes a family living on a farm as a windstorm whips around, drawing parallels between violent weather and life's unpredictability.

On the other end of the spectrum was the calming song "Early Morning Breeze." Written and first released in 1971, this song paints the picture of a tranquil stroll through nature, drawing on images of sunshine and wildflowers. This song was recorded several more times and was also included on Parton's hit album "Jolene."

"Light of a Clear Blue Morning" used clear skies as a metaphor for never losing hope that better times are ahead. Parton wrote the song in 1976 when she was dealing with upheaval in both her professional and personal life. A new version of the song came out earlier this year to celebrate Parton's 80th birthday. This version features vocals by Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, and Queen Latifah, with net proceeds going to pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

On a darker note, "World on Fire" served as the lead single for the 2023 album "Rockstar." While Parton never said that the song was about climate change, its theme of a burning world, political unrest, and greed drew parallels to this pressing global issue.

Other songs that draw on weather as an inspiration include "Each Season Changes You," "Steady as the Rain," and "We'll Sing in the Sunshine."