Dolly Parton Debuts Reflective Rendition Of Classic Ballad With Linda Perry
By Kelly Fisher
September 22, 2023
Dolly Parton teamed up with Linda Perry to debut a “moving and reflective” rendition of “What’s Up?,” a hit since its initial release in the early 90s. It’s the latest track Parton has revealed from her highly-anticipated upcoming album, Rockstar, packed with star-studded collaborations and classic rock anthems.
Parton’s 30-track Rockstar, which comes after the beloved country music legend was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, also features collaborations with Sting, Steven Tyler, Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Miley Cyrus, Chris Stapleton, Melissa Etheridge and Brandi Carlile, among others. Parton previously released a few other tracks from the cross-genre project, including “Magic Man,” “Let It Be” and the lead single, “World On Fire.” Parton and Perry, the writer and lead singer of the classic ballad, shared their version of the song “about the at-times, overwhelming pressures of the world around us and the need for release. Dolly’s angelic and hopeful voice ushers in a sense of promise for a better tomorrow,” reads a press release issued Friday (September 22).
“First of all, I love Linda Perry. Second of all, I love this song written by Linda. Third of all, I love being a part of this video to try to make people think about what’s going on in this world today,” Parton said in a statement. “Shout out to the little children that helped with the video! If our children don’t make it, then what will? Again, I ask ‘What’s Up?’ Enjoy.”
Parton and Perry also released a music video, which premieres with MTV and CMT. It will be available on YouTube beginning Saturday (September 23) at 10 a.m. ET, per the release.
“How is one supposed to react when the greatest and most prolific songwriter in the world wants to cover a song YOU wrote?” Perry wondered in a statement. “Her version of What’s Up? is so good. Her spin on it made me feel like it was her song. No surprise there. Being on set making the video was a comfortable easy experience. The vibe on set was chill and Dolly and I got to catch up and laugh a lot. I could go on and on, obviously I’m a fan!”
The full Rockstar album is due on November 17. See the full track list below, and listen to Parton’s cover of “What’s Up?” with Perry here:
- Rockstar (special guest Richie Sambora)
- World on Fire
- Every Breath You Take (feat. Sting)
- Open Arms (feat. Steve Perry)
- Magic Man (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Leese)
- Long As I Can See The Light (feat. John Fogerty)
- Either Or (feat. Kid Rock)
- I Want You Back (feat. Steven Tyler with special guest Warren Haynes)
- What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You (feat. Stevie Nicks with special guest Waddy Wachtel)
- Purple Rain
- Baby, I Love Your Way (feat. Peter Frampton)
- I Hate Myself For Loving You (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
- Night Moves (feat. Chris Stapleton)
- Wrecking Ball (feat. Miley Cyrus)
- (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
- Keep On Loving You (feat. Kevin Cronin)
- Heart Of Glass (feat. Debbie Harry)
- Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (feat. Elton John)
- Tried To Rock And Roll Me (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
- Stairway To Heaven (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)
- We Are The Champions
- Bygones (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)
- My Blue Tears (feat. Simon Le Bon)
- What’s Up? (feat. Linda Perry)
- You’re No Good (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)
- Heartbreaker (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)
- Bittersweet (feat. Michael McDonald)
- I Dreamed About Elvis (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
- Let It Be (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)
- Free Bird (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)