CuriositiesAUG 9, 2023

92 Dolly Parton Quotes That Are Music To Our Ears

Aivaras Kaziukonis and Melanie Gervasoni

If there's one person we can rely on to serve up wisdom quotes on a silver platter with a side of humor and sass, it's the woman who once said: "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap."

Dolly Parton, the one and only queen of country music and prolific philosopher, has never been shy when sharing her thoughts on life, love, success, and music.

These "Dollyisms" — yeah, Dolly Parton's quotes have their own moniker, courtesy of her fans — are not mere fancy words to be scrolled past on social media feeds. No one better than someone who wrote about 3,000 songs knows how much impact and meaning words can have, and Dolly Parton's quotes, somehow, always have the right ones.

And let's not forget, Dolly is the woman who brought us Jolene, a character who has infiltrated popular culture so deeply, she's practically a household name in her own right. If that isn't a testament to Dolly's lyrical genius, we don't know what is! Her words pack as much of a punch as her songs do. They're the heart and soul of who she is — genuine, insightful, funny, and always very fabulous!

If you need some comforting and humorous words, turn to our list of inspirational quotes from Dolly Parton, and you'll find them. It's not for nothing that her unique charisma has become a league of its own, inspiring countless souls, just as her music has done for decades.

We also included some of her quotes about music — how could we ignore her insights on this, considering what Dolly does for a living? Enjoy the read and don't forget to upvote your favorites!

#1

92 Dolly Parton Quotes That Are Music To Our Ears

“Yes, I support gay marriage. They have every right to be as miserable as straight people.”

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21points

#2

“I was the first woman to burn my bra - it took the fire department four days to put it out.”

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20points

#3

"You'd be surprised how much it costs to look this cheap!"

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17points

Why Is Dolly Parton A Hero?

In addition to her work in country music, she’s a well-known philanthropist. Through her Imagination Library project, she donated millions of books to children to promote literacy. She also contributed $1 million to coronavirus research, which partly funded the Moderna vaccine.

#4

"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain."

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16points

#5

“Don't get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.”

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15points

#6

"I think everybody should be allowed to be who they are and to love who they love.”

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15points

How Did Dolly Parton Impact Country Music?

Dolly Parton's biggest achievement lies in how she impacted country music by bringing it to mainstream audiences. Her music crossed over into the pop charts, which was a rarity at the time for country artists. She successfully paved the way for many female artists in the industry through her songwriting, storytelling, and her unique blend of country and pop.

#7

"I have a strict policy that nobody cries alone in my presence."

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14points

#8

"Storms make trees take deeper roots."

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13points

#9

“I have pretty good skin considering my age, and I think a lot of it is mineral oil and bacon grease.”

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13points

Does Dolly Parton Have Tattoos?

Yes, Dolly Parton confirmed she has several tattoos. The country queen revealed they're all small, pastel ink tattoos that she typically keeps covered. Her tattoos are meaningful to her and many cover scars.

#10

“I wish you joy and happiness. But above all of this, I wish you love.”

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13points

#11

“A loose tongue can lead to broken teeth.”

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13points

#12

“Sometimes my mouth is a little too big and a little too open and sounds too much like a sailor.”

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13points

Is Dolly Parton Related To Miley Cyrus?

No, Dolly Parton is not biologically related to Miley Cyrus, but she's Miley's godmother. The two artists are very close, with Dolly having known Miley since she was a baby due to her long-standing friendship with Miley's dad, Billy Ray Cyrus. Miley and Dolly have been seen interacting in public pretty often, even performing "Jolene'' multiple times together on stage.

#13

“Smile, it increases your face value.”

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12points

#14

“I always just thought if you see somebody without a smile, give 'em yours!”

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12points

#15

“We cannot direct the wind, but we can adjust the sails.”

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12points

What Is Dolly Parton’s Most Famous Quote?

It's hard to say, considering Dolly's masterful use of words that gave life to so many positive quotes. Perhaps one of Dolly Parton's most famous quotes is, "Find out who you are and do it on purpose." This quote embraces her approach to life, emphasizing authenticity, individuality, and purposeful action.

#16

“Anyone who says you can’t take it with you has never seen me pack.”

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11points

#17

"My weaknesses have always been food and men—in that order."

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10points

#18

“Everybody’s life is a soap opera. Everybody’s life is a country western song, depends on who’s writing it."

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10points

What Made Dolly Parton So Famous?

Dolly Parton's fame is the result of her incredible talent as a songwriter, her unproblematic and charismatic personality, and her hardworking nature. She started her career at a young age and consistently produced hits throughout the years, including "Jolene," "9 to 5," and "I Will Always Love You." Her ability to cross over into pop music and acting brought her even more recognition, fueled by her philanthropy and generosity that contributed to cementing her beloved status.

#19

“People feel like they’ve known me so long because I’ve been around a long time. I’m really like an aunt or a cousin or a person you’ve grown up with - like somebody in the family. So I think they feel comfortable with me. I really think that is Southern hospitality.”

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9points

#20

"I'm not happy all the time, and I wouldn't want to be because that would make me a shallow person. But I do try to find the good in everybody.”

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9points