A look at Dolly Parton's life from a Tennessee girl to country stardom

Dolly Parton, the beloved American singer-songwriter, actress and philanthropist, passed away at the age of 80. Throughout her life, she became known as the "Queen of Country" thanks to her hits that blended country and pop music. Dolly's songs often explored personal themes like growing up poor, love and loss, female empowerment and spirituality.

A look back at Dolly Parton's life through six of her iconic songs reveals the depth of her musical legacy. Starting with her personal favorite, the 1971 song "Coat of Many Colors," the autobiographical track tells the heart-wrenching story of her humble upbringing as one of 12 siblings, yet finding richness in love. The song mentions her handmade coat made by her mother, which symbolizes her wealth in love despite their financial struggles. Rolling Stone magazine ranked it as Dolly's second-best song of all time.

Another significant song is "Jolene," which became Parton's second number one single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and her first entry into the main Hot 100 chart. This powerful song reveals her vulnerability when she begs the object of her affection, who steals her husband, to let her go. The song has been streamed over 913 million times on Spotify and is considered her best by many critics.

"I Will Always Love You," originally recorded by Whitney Houston in 1992, became globally renowned, showcasing Dolly's tender farewell to her mentor and former musical partner, Porter Wagoner. Parton felt conflicted about this song as Wagoner saw her as a threat to his career. The emotive power of this ballad was so overwhelming for Whitney Houston that she pulled over on the road to avoid crashing her car.

Parton sang various songs about her relationship with her husband, Carl Dean, including "Jolene." The lyrics express her fear of losing him to a beautiful woman who flirted with him, humorously joking about Jolene taking his place.

Overall, these songs encapsulate Dolly Parton's powerful storytelling and heartfelt connections to her fans, showcasing her enduring impact on country music and beyond.