Dolly Parton Set for First-Ever U.K. No. 1 Single Following Posthumous Streaming Spike
The country music icon passed away last week (Aug. 28) at 80 following a short battle with cancer.
Dolly Parton is set to make history as the first artist to claim a No. 1 single on the Official U.K. Singles Chart posthumously. Her timeless hit "9 To 5," originally featured in the 1980 comedy film of the same name, is soaring up the charts after a monumental 350% surge in streams and sales. Currently sitting at No. 12, "9 To 5" is anticipated to break into the top spot in the midweek update of the chart, which was released on Aug. 30.
"Jolene," Parton's 1973 classic, is also climbing the ranks, currently positioned at No. 2, while her collaboration with Kenny Rogers, "Islands in the Stream," has ascended to No. 6. These achievements come just weeks after Parton's passing at the age of 80 due to a battle with cancer, announced on Aug. 25. The country music legend had been largely absent from public view due to undisclosed health issues that led to the cancellation of a planned Las Vegas residency in 2025.
Parton's impact on the music industry has been monumental, earning her the top spot as Billboard's country artist of all time in 2024. She holds the record for 49 albums in the top 10 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, a feat surpassed only by male artists. Her latest release, "Rockstar," a compilation of rock covers and originals, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, showcasing her enduring influence across genres.
Written by urgent.news from Billboard's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
