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Why was Dolly such a huge success? |
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#1 |
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Join Date: Jun 2006
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Why was Dolly such a huge success?
So I've just watched her Glastonbury set and despite not being a particular fan(I know and really like some of her big hits) I thought it was absolutely incredible.
Country music was never particularly big here and Dolly hasn't been hugely successful here(compared to elsewhere) but the crowd she got and reaction to her performance has been phenomenal. Hope it really opens up the UK to more country music |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Sep 2010
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Quote:
So I've just watched her Glastonbury set and despite not being a particular fan(I know and really like some of her big hits) I thought it was absolutely incredible.
Country music was never particularly big here and Dolly hasn't been hugely successful here(compared to elsewhere) but the crowd she got and reaction to her performance has been phenomenal. Hope it really opens up the UK to more country music ![]() sorry, couldn't resisit... As far a her performance was concerned, it would been ok it were not for the fact it it was obvious she was miming most of it. You're right though, it's a bit of a myth that she has been successful here, I was watching it yesterday with some younger people who thought that she had massive success and was a lot more prolific than she actually was. Also, that she was a huge movie star when in reallity she only apperared in a handful of films. If country music was to have a renaissance here, it certainly wouldn't be through Dolly Pardon. It would be something a bit more contemporary. |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Jun 2011
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Always been a bit dumfounded on Dolly. People make her out she is some sort of country legend but she really isn't. Not like Patsy Kline or Loretta Lynn.
She seems like a lovely person but take away the songs 9-5 and Jolene, her discography imo is forgettable. |
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#4 |
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Quote:
Always been a bit dumfounded on Dolly. People make her out she is some sort of country legend but she really isn't. Not like Patsy Kline or Loretta Lynn.
She seems like a lovely person but take away the songs 9-5 and Jolene, her discography imo is forgettable. Presumably you have not mentioned I Will Always Love You because although she wrote it the big hit was by someone else. |
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#5 |
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Join Date: Dec 2005
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So obvious she was miming.
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#6 |
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Bristol
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I think it's because she doesn't take herself remotely seriously and she understood the crowd, the event and the slot perfectly and it would take a right miserable old bastard not to have warmed to her. I've seen some very big names come a cropper at festivals because they sang and did what they wanted, not what the occasion warranted or what the crowd would appreciate. Whatever people might say about her to slag her off, she'd probably not only agree, but could do it better ! About the only negative thing you could say was that she mimed, but she freely admits that, so it's a case of 'Of course I did, aren't you observant, next question'.
Put it this way. Glastonbury isn't exactly a forgiving festival. If you're shit and/ or piss off the crowd, you'll know it. She had them eating out of her hand, miming and all. |
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#7 |
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Quote:
I assume you mean Patsy Cline?
Presumably you have not mentioned I Will Always Love You because although she wrote it the big hit was by someone else. |
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#8 |
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Join Date: Mar 2013
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Jolene and 9-5 aren't songs about God, Tractors, Southern Comfort or BBQ chicken so are more accessible to the UK audience.
Got to love all the people who go on about her like they are her biggest fan but only know those two songs. |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
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Quote:
She seems like a lovely person but take away the songs 9-5 and Jolene, her discography imo is forgettable.
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#10 |
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Join Date: Dec 2010
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it's kitsch, it's camp, it's a chance to put music rivalries aside and replace them with affection for someone beyond the here and now. It's a slot that always goes down well, like Kenny Rogers last year and dare we mention Rolf. There's nothing at stake so the place can relax and in that scenario opinion tends to be unanimous.
If she was a youngster and did the same patter and songs she'd have been laughed out of the place but you earn your legend status and reap the rewards |
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#11 |
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There was a good documentary on BBC4 last night called "Queens of Country."
So many far better singers than she is, were featured. She was the last one in programme and the difference in quality showed. But she was ideal for Glastonbury, where she could put on a good visual show, (even if she was miming) and the quality of the music is less important than having a good time. In the meantime I'll leave you with some decent contemporary Country Music (it's not even my favourite genre, but I can recognise a good song and singer) and even this is over a decade old. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNOUNFNYAmA |
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#12 |
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Join Date: Mar 2006
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She comes across as very genuine and likeable
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#13 |
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Join Date: Dec 2013
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I was at Glastonbury and Dolly drew in the biggest crowd of the entire weekend. I think people love her and respected the fact that this could be the only/last chance they'd get to see Dolly live.
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#14 |
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I was there and wasn't impressed. Mimimg at least in parts and the whole routine seemed to lack any genuine spontaneity.
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#15 |
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Glastonbury isn't about the entertainment, it's about "being there."
From what little I saw, the paying public would have cheered anyone. For cryin' out loud, they had Bruce Forsyth there last year. |
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#16 |
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Join Date: Mar 2007
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She was just this year's Rolf Harris in the kitsch/camp comedy slot. I'm sure Engelbert Humperdinck would have gone down just as well - without miming.
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#17 |
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Join Date: May 2007
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Quote:
Always been a bit dumfounded on Dolly. People make her out she is some sort of country legend but she really isn't. Not like Patsy Kline or Loretta Lynn.
She seems like a lovely person but take away the songs 9-5 and Jolene, her discography imo is forgettable. Her only hit was Jolene which made number 7 |
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#18 |
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Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 7,436
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Quote:
Naaah, she's got some great songs! Her covers of D.I.V.O.R.C.E & Harper Valley P.T.A. Also, Here You Come Again, Potential New Boyfriend and Why'd You Come In Here Looking Like That are some others...
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#19 |
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Quote:
Did you know that 9 to 5 never charted in the UK? Well it got as high as number 47
Her only hit was Jolene which made number 7 |
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#20 |
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Her last two albums also charted in the UK top 10:
Better Day in 2011 reached number 9 Blue Smoke in 2014 reached number 4 |
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#21 |
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Join Date: May 2007
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Quote:
Islands in the Stream also got to number 7 - I assume you left it out as it was a duet with Kenny Rogers?
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#22 |
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Preferred Kenny Rogers last year
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#23 |
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Join Date: Jan 2012
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I don't think her past singles success (lack of) is that relevant to be fair. I was a nipper in the 80s, and I and most others certainly knew who Dolly Parton was. For whatever reason, and irrespective of trying to measure her success/popularity by charts, she's one of those 'stars' who just always has been in the public eye.
You could draw a semi-parallel with Kate Bush - the man in the street would be pushed to name two or even one tracks outside of Wuthering Heights, but yet most people just 'know' who she is. |
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#24 |
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Quote:
But none of them charted in the UK
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#25 |
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: London
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It's amazing that so many of her songs are well known despite never being hits, that's a positive thing
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