Dolly Parton was an extraordinary songwriter, and several songs she wrote became major hits when recorded by other artists. I’ve included a video link for each.

“I Will Always Love You” — Whitney Houston (1992)
Dolly wrote it in 1973 as a farewell to Porter Wagoner. Whitney’s version became a massive worldwide No. 1 and is probably the most famous example of Dolly’s songwriting being transformed by another artist.
Watch Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You”

“To Daddy” — Emmylou Harris (1977)
A beautiful, heartbreaking Dolly composition that reached No. 3 on Billboard’s country chart for Harris.
Watch Emmylou Harris – “To Daddy”

“Kentucky Gambler” — Merle Haggard (1974)
One of Dolly’s great story songs. Haggard’s recording became a No. 1 country hit.
Watch Merle Haggard – “Kentucky Gambler”

“Waltz Me to Heaven” — Waylon Jennings (1984)
Dolly specifically wrote this one for Waylon. His recording reached No. 10 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
Watch Waylon Jennings – “Waltz Me to Heaven”

“The Stranger” — Kenny Rogers (1984)
Dolly wrote this emotional story song for Rogers. It appeared on his What About Me? album and was particularly well suited to his storytelling style.
Watch Kenny Rogers – “The Stranger”

“Fuel to the Flame” — Skeeter Davis (1967)
Co-written by Dolly and her uncle Bill Owens, this became a significant hit for Davis, reaching No. 11 on the country chart.
Watch Skeeter Davis – “Fuel to the Flame”

“Put It Off Until Tomorrow” — Bill Phillips (1966)
One of Dolly’s earliest major songwriting successes. Phillips’ recording reached No. 6 on the country chart, helping establish Dolly as a songwriter before she became a superstar performer.
Watch Bill Phillips – “Put It Off Until Tomorrow”

“The Company You Keep” — Bill Phillips (1966)
Another Dolly Parton/Bill Owens composition that became a Top 10 hit for Phillips in the same remarkable early period.
Watch Bill Phillips – “The Company You Keep”

“I Lived So Fast and Hard” — Mel Tillis / Porter Wagoner (1968)
Dolly wrote this early country song, which was recorded by Mel Tillis and subsequently by Porter Wagoner. It’s a terrific example of Dolly writing for the male country voices she admired.
Watch performances of “I Lived So Fast and Hard”

“I’m in No Condition” — Hank Williams Jr. (1967)
Dolly wrote and recorded it herself, but Hank Williams Jr. also recorded it on his early material. It showcases how naturally Dolly could write songs from a male perspective.
Watch Hank Williams Jr. – “I’m in No Condition”

Dolly wasn’t just a country singer—she was a songwriter whose words became hits in the voices of Whitney, Merle, Emmylou, Waylon and others. Her songwriting catalog is estimated at nearly 3,000 songs.

NOTE: “Islands in the Stream” was not written by Dolly—it was written by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb—so I’ve left it off the list.

• Till next time . . .
  
  
  For all my lists, subscribe to 10 With Tom. Sign up here.