Today marked a stunning Monday for pop-punk and country fans alike. For a Consequence Of Sound cover story, Paramore‘s Hayley Williams sat down with legend Dolly Parton ahead of her forthcoming album Rockstar. The “Jolene” singer is switching things up and heading for the electric guitar-laden sounds of authentic rock ‘n’ roll.
Across 30 tracks, Parton is collaborating with myriad artists on cover tracks, including “I Hate Myself for Loving You” featuring Joan Jett And The Blackhearts and “Let It Be” featuring Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood.
Beyond these collabs, Parton released “Wrecking Ball” with “Flowers” icon and real-life goddaughter Miley Cyrus, which arrived on October 20 ahead of the full album’s November 17 release date.
In the interview, Williams described how the two voices on “Wrecking Ball” sounded “perfect together,” and even shared a part of her world from a Paramore perspective.
She asked Parton, “To me, women have the firmest foothold [in rock music], but I also think it’s a tough genre, a very male-dominated genre. So I wondered, ‘Was it about genre? Who is Dolly earning it for?'”
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After the two talked about Stevie Nicks all the way to Brandi Carlile, they arrived at the topic of Cyrus and how she is unfairly judged for her Disney beginnings. “She’s a great writer and that voice… I think she’s the new, modern day rock chick,” Parton says. “That thing that’s got the grit and the soul and the sex appeal. She’s got that voice when she can go down in that bourbon and cigarette voice, but she can also sing a song so delicate. I mean, she’s just got everything she needs.”
Frankly, it’s hard not to fully agree with Parton. The proof is in each second of Cyrus’ “Plastic Hearts,” “Heart Of Glass” cover, and more.
Check out the full conversation between Williams and Parton here, and check out the star-studded tracklisting for the record below.
Rockstar Tracklist:
- “Rockstar” (special guest Richie Sambora)
- “World on Fire”
- “Every Breath You Take” (feat. Sting)
- “Open Arms” (feat. Steve Perry)
- “Magic Man” (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
- “Long As I Can See the Light’ (feat. John Fogerty)
- “Either Or” (feat. Kid Rock)
- “I Want You Back” (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
- “What Has Rock and Roll Ever Done for You” (feat. Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
- “Purple Rain”
- “Baby, I Love Your Way” (feat. Peter Frampton)
- “I Hate Myself for Loving You” (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
- “Night Moves” (feat. Chris Stapleton)
- “Wrecking Ball” (feat. Miley Cyrus)
- “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
- “Keep on Loving You” (feat. Kevin Cronin)
- “Heart of Glass” (feat. Debbie Harry)
- “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (feat. Elton John)
- “Tried to Rock and Roll Me” (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
- “Stairway to Heaven” (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)
- “We Are the Champions”
- “Bygones” (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)
- My Blue Tears (feat. Simon Le Bon)
- “What’s Up?” (feat. Linda Perry)
- “You’re No Good” (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)
- “Heartbreaker” (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)
- “Bittersweet” (feat. Michael McDonald)
- “I Dreamed About Elvis” (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
- “Let It Be” (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)
- “Free Bird” (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)
