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In a refreshing take on the star’s career, Dolly Parton’s new documentary entitled Here I Am follows the conception and creation of an icon as she undertook a musical journey to fame and success.
Through my 2000-born eyes, Dolly Parton has always been a persona cemented into fame as if she had been born into it. Without having experienced her ascension to the world stage during the 60s, I’ve never been able to credit Dolly’s larger than life character and celebrity status alongside actual professional achievements (beyond of course trademark hits like 9 to 5 and Jolene).
Evidently, this documentary had the profound effect of contextualising each timeless classic in their original setting. While decorating her life with music, the story follows the actual events and effects that helped reveal the deeper significance of her music.
The Artist
Instead of a storyline dictated by drama and life crises, Here I Am uses the inspiration of Dolly’s songs in order to explore the changes in her music as her life progressed. Beginning with a move to Nashville in 1964 – the place of all places for country music hopefuls – the young blonde bore the semblance of a promising artist, and the documentary follows along as opportunities revealed themselves.
One heavily evident instance was the growing attention provided to her songwriting talents in addition to her unique voice. Inspired during a story-like writing process, Dolly’s music often reflects real events and raw emotions, not shying away from the troubles and sadness notable in songs such as The Bridge. The ability to invoke such drama and power from a story reflects her unique ability to flavour music with an imagination of its own. Overall, Dolly’s songwriting talents were highlighted on a level which I had never credited to her before (for example I had not realised she was the author of I Will Always Love You), and sparked consideration for the meanings behind such songs.
Also explored during the documentary was her wide adaptability and ability to take on new genres and styles with ease. Initially a country artist, Dolly succeeded in stepping onto the pop forum and dabbled in the space between the two. For example after splitting with her record company in the late 1980s, Dolly produced several bluegrass albums which – while not as materially successful as some of her pop and country hits – were meaningful to many and evidenced her talent for telling stories regardless of the musical language.
‘[Dolly] used her voice as an instrument so I used the instrument as if it was a voice’
Jerry Douglas, discussing Grass is Blue
A major takeaway from the artistic side of the documentary was a new appreciation for Dolly’s creativity. I personally (and I’ll bet many others also) had no clue that 9 to 5 was written from Dolly’s own experiences over the course of filming the namesake movie which she also acted in. Even more intriguing was the fun fact that Dolly used her acrylic nails while writing as the recognizably catchy rhythm which has become the theme song for many peoples lives, not just the 1980 film.
The Icon
Another side of Dolly Parton which I had never considered was the purpose behind creating and maintaining such a unique stage character. It is revealed throughout the documentary how it was almost necessary for Dolly to become more than a name, as it soon grew to act as a barrier to the pressures and limelight of fame. For instance, Dolly herself comments upon how her public persona has garnered her not only fame and success, but also allowed her a sense of privacy which exists in the shadow of stage-Dolly. This can include the lack of public knowledge and appearance of Dolly’s husband since 1966, Carl Thomas Dean. Not only had I not realized that she had been married since the early days of her career, but it also explains the minimal celebrity drama which has surrounded many other artists for decades.
”dumb blonde’ is the perfect way to launch a career’
Jane Fonda
As Jane Fonda neatly observed during an interview, by exaggerating her appearance and act in such a way, Dolly Parton was able to rise to fame within an extremely challenging and sometimes resistant music industry.
As her game-changing 1968 Just Because I’m a Woman reflects, the stereotypes at the time – both within the music industry and in wider society – played a large role in Dolly’s career. As a result, in attempts to balance her talents and ambitions against the industry’s desire for profit, Dolly managed to mediate glare of the public eye by embodying exactly what people wanted to see.
Nevertheless, while Dolly’s trademark blonde and busty figurine is instantly recognisable as the vehicle for her powerfully immaculate anthems, the underlying sincerity of her vocals is undeniably rooted in her country upbringing. This remained a motif throughout the documentary, as Dolly’s home, family, and life outlook remained intact despite career transformations – and to this day are the foundations of her continuing work.
The Impact
While reflecting on the mass success of her music, Dolly pinpoints the simplicity of country music as what has allowed for her music to hold such meaning to people’s lives. Here I Am explored this through a musical analysis of songs such as Coat of Many Colours, within which Dolly speaks to sentiments of family, identity, and emotion. By encompassing the shared feelings and experiences of countless people, her music has evidently remained well-loved and well-respected.
‘[Dolly’s music] carried the messages of the world’
The evolution of Dolly’s music has also included its growing fan base across genres, ages, races, and various orientations as people began to embrace themselves within a broader sense of self and purpose. In one very powerful segment, Here I Am discusses the applicability of Dolly’s music within the LGBT sphere as it has been grasped and held as a dual beacon of celebrated individuality and supportive solidarity.
‘its like through her songs she opens her arms wide and embraces such a broad swathe of people that don’t always feel seen’
Jane Fonda
All in all, Here I Am certainly sparked consideration for the importance of music to one’s life, purpose, and growth, as well as its power as a form of resistance or bonding. Having successfully become ingrained in popular culture, it is likely that Dolly Parton’s music will continue to speak to people across countless joys and struggles, such as the body positivity highlighted in the 2018 film Dumplin’. With a new appreciation for Dolly’s music, her immortal success can be traced back to her humble roots, as the documentary succeeded in unearthing her talent for speaking to the souls of country and the hearts of many.
References
Based on Dolly Parton: Here I Am, directed by Francis Whately
Lovely review Tatie. X