Tit for Tat
A primer of the best and worst of Dolly Parton covers By Courtney Shea
Her punchline-inspiring assets may get most of the attention, but Dolly Parton’s knack for authoring catchy tunes is equally arresting. Covering the Tennessee native’s songs is a beloved pastime in the music world, and not just among karaoke crooners. Here, a critical sampling of popsters and rockers who’ve put their personal stamp on some of Parton’s greatest hits.
I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU (1992)
Whitney Houston
No one alive in the early ’90s—and not lobotomized since—could possibly forget this Grammy juggernaut from The Bodyguard. Houston’s cheesily irresistible homage became the top-selling song of
the year, which is more than we can say for the Prom Queen of Soul’s recent efforts.
JOLENE (2003)
The White Stripes
True, this leave-me-my-man plea is at the gritty end of Parton’s canon, but it’s not exactly the type of tune people expected from Detroit’s grungy garage rock gods. What do they know? Jack White went on to collaborate with country queen Loretta Lynn—clearly someone has a thing for the senior set.
DAGGER THROUGH THE HEART (2004)
Sinéad O’Connor
The tortured Irish artist’s interpretation, which appeared on a Dolly love-in album, was rightfully hailed as a “tour de force in whisper-to-a-scream virtuosity.” Parton’s twangy treatment is good, but O’Connor’s “C’mon, just try me, I might actually put a dagger through my heart” urgency is better.
9 TO 5 (2006)
Jessica Simpson
Though she’s now set her sights on Nashville, the pop tart turned reality star turned cautionary tale had other things on her mind a few years back. The sweeping consensus on Simpson’s performance of the all-time best working gal anthem at the Kennedy Center Honors gala? An insult to train wrecks.
ISLANDS IN THE STREAM (2008)
Feist/Constantines
There’s nothing indie kids hold dearer than irony. The Constantines teamed up with alt
princess Feist to record this classic Dolly and Kenny Rogers duet,
but, as could have been predicted, the result lacks the original’s easy
listening appeal.
Legend
Too cool for school
Better than the original
Sung by bosom buddy
Fan favourite
In tribute
DOLLY RETURNS THE FAVOUR
(in descending order of dignity)
2. Peace Train (Cat Stevens)
3. Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin)
4. Great Balls of Fire (Jerry Lee Lewis)
5. She Drives Me Crazy (Fine Young Cannibals)
Dolly Parton do-si-dos her way into Casino Rama on Nov. 9 and 10. $60–$75. 5899 Rama Rd., Rama, 416-870-8000, www.casinorama.com.
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