Dolly’s Dozen: We Countdown Her 12 Biggest Hits — Where Does Your Favorite Land?

I have my favorite Dolly Parton song. I bet you do too. Look! I was a kid in the late 70s and early 80s and, during that time, Dolly was crossing back-and-forth from the country to the pop charts. I had a 45 record of "Here You Come Again" and I wore that thing out. I loved it. I still do.

With her recent passing, we decided to do something special to honor Dolly. We created a special edition of The BKR's Dozen: The Tristate's Countdown. Our weekly countdown airs every Saturday morning at 8am and we typically celebrate the ten most popular country songs in the Tristate. However, the week Dolly passed away, we decided to celebrate her legendary catalog of music. So, we did some online research and put together her twelve best.

And, I must confess that this list is somewhat subjective. However, it does combine chart statistics with cultural and career relevance. We concede there are other Dolly songs that likely deserve a place on this list. However, we did our best to reflect the genius of a true country (and pop) icon.

Here's Dolly's Dozen - from #12 to #1!

#12- JOSHUA

Fun fact! "Joshua" was Dolly Parton's first solo #1. Prior to 1971's "Joshua", her most successful chart hit was the one before it- "Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel #8)."

#11- BUT YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU

Another fun fact! Did you know that "But You Know I Love You" was Dolly's official follow-up to "9 to 5"?  While it didn't have the same crossover success as the juggernaut before it, the release did give Dolly back-to-back #1s on the Billboard Country Chart.

#10- YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE

In 1979, Dolly released "You're The Only One" and it spent two weeks atop the Billboard Country Chart. It crossed over to the Hot 100 too, but peaked at a modest #59.

#9- HEARTBREAKER

"Heartbreaker" climbed to the top of the Billboard Country Chart in 1978 and, when it got there, it didn't budge for weeks. When it was all said and done, Dolly knocked down three consecutive chart-topping weeks at #1 with this song.

#8- TWO DOORS DOWN

Another fun fact! "Two Doors Down" was Dolly's follow-up to her monster hit "Here You Come Again." It too powered its way up the Billboard Hot 100, where it topped out in the Top 20.  At the time, it was just the third occasion in which one of Dolly's songs made it that high on that particular chart.

#7- LOVE IS LIKE A BUTTERFLY

From 1973 to 1975, Dolly had a run of four consecutive #1s on the Billboard Country Chart. This song was the third in that streak. Overall, it was Dolly's 5th country #1.

#6- COAT OF MANY COLORS

This song's legacy has certainly outlived its initial chart success. It reached #4 on the Billboard Country Chart way back in 1971. Since then, its popularity and importance have soared. The song, which is synonymous with Dolly and her life, has been inducted into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress and it's also enshrined in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

#5- HERE YOU COME AGAIN

#3 on the Billboard Hot 100, #2 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Chart, and #1 on the Billboard Country Chart. "Here You Come Again" is a classic Dolly crossover. As mentioned earlier, it enjoyed countless spins on my own record player.

#4- JOLENE

Dolly's second #1 song. Arguably her most covered song. And another Dolly song in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

#3- I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU

While it's true that Whitney Houston's version of this song is the definitive version, Dolly's 1974 version hit #1 on the Billboard Country Chart. Guess what? Dolly knew the song was special, re-recorded it in 1982, and hit #1 again. Of course, a decade later, Whitney knocked it out of the stratosphere.

#2- ISLANDS IN THE STREAM

One of the most enduring duets of the 1980s. Yet another fun fact! It was written by the Bee Gees and hit #1 on the Billboard Country Chart and the Billboard Hot 100. The song remains one of only two Dolly songs to hit #1 on that latter chart.

The other one is this . . .

#1- 9 TO 5

Nominated for an Oscar and a Grammy. #1 on the Billboard Country Chart, the Billboad Adult Contemporary Chart, and #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It also became an anthem for working women everywhere in the 80s. It was a song, a movie, a musical, and movement. "9 to 5" is Dolly's single biggest hit.

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So, is your favorite Dolly song inside that Top 12?  If not, what's you all-time favorite?