Dolly Parton has a wonderful new song. The only problem is that you’ll have to wait 23 years to hear it.
The daytime talk show “The Kelly Clarkson Show” released a new clip of the “Jolene” singer’s recent appearance on the show on Tuesday. Parton revealed to Clarkson that she wrote a top-secret song that is currently buried in a time capsule.
“That has (driven) me insane,” Parton admitted. “I’ve written a song that no one will ever hear until I’m 99 years old. I may or may not be present.”
The song was written for the 2015 opening of Dolly Parton’s Dollywood DreamMore resort in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, which is adjacent to her long-running Dollywood theme park. According to the country legend, she placed the song in a box along with a CD player and cassette player, but the box will not be opened again until 2045, when the resort celebrates its 30th anniversary.
Parton, who is now 76 years old, will be 99 when the time comes. She is concerned that the music will “rot” in the capsule before it is opened.
“I have no idea who thought that was a good idea,” Parton said. “They weren’t expecting me to show up, and I doubt I will. Who knows, I might be there. I believe it will disintegrate and no one will ever hear it.”
Her frustration is compounded by the fact that she enjoys the mystery song.
“I really want to dig that up,” Parton said. “I should use that song because, you know, it’s really good!”
Although it will be a long time before this track is released, Parton is planning a new rock album inspired by her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last month.
Parton discussed the new project on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” earlier this month, telling the late-night host that the album is titled “Rock Star” and will be released next fall.
“My husband is a rock ‘n’ roll freak,” explained Parton. “So I figured, if I’m ever going to do it, now’s the time.”
The album will feature original material as well as covers of classic rock anthems by Prince, the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. It would also include some unexpected guest artists.
“There will be a lot of great iconic songs,” Parton hinted. “‘Purple Rain,’ ‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction,’ ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ and ‘Free Bird’ are among the songs. I even performed ‘Free Bird!'”
Later this month, Parton will co-host “Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party,” a song-filled special that will air live on NBC on December 31. The singers will be joined by Sia and Rae Sremmurd, as well as cast members from the NBC sketch show “Saturday Night Live.”
