Defend its Existence

Dolly Parton

by Caralyn Green

Dolly Parton’s got no delusions about what’s made and kept her famous. On the title track of Backwoods Barbie, her first mainstream country album after nearly a decade of bluegrass, Dolly sings, “I’m just a backwoods Barbie in a push-up bra and heels. I might look artificial, but where it counts I’m real.”

In other words, it may cost a fortune to look this cheap, but Dolly and her music are anything but two-bit trash.

She’s fond of playing the dumb blond, but dumb blonds don’t achieve this kind of success (her own record label and theme park, an armful of Grammys, almost 30 No. 1 singles) based on tits and ass alone. Unless Joe Simpson is your manager.

For better or worse, Dolly’s responsible for such karaoke standbys as “Jolene,” “9 to 5” and “I Will Always Love You.” She writes much of her own music, plays some of her own instruments, co-produced this here album and is one of the sexiest senior citizens this side of the Atlantic. (Helen Mirren’s got the other shore covered.)

Who am I to praise a lady for selling her art through her body, but you know what? That’s Dolly’s act, and it’s working, and it has been since the ’60s. If outrageous wigs, stiletto heels and silicone implants keep audiences flocking to Dolly’s music, then so be it, because her music is definitely worthy of that flock—campy, catchy and endearingly sincere, just like Dolly herself.

With its focus on infidelity, Jesus and living life to its fullest, Backwoods Barbie competes with the best of the current Wal-Mart country (we’re talking Taylor Swift and Sugarland, not those No Depression folks with their belittling insistence on “alt”). Save a couple reigned-in tracks (“Only Dreamin’” being the most touching), Backwoods Barbie has forgone Dolly’s acoustic leanings in favor of a chipper radio-friendliness. “Better Get to Livin’” is chart-ready, and her cover of Fine Young Cannibals’ “She Drives Me Crazy” is perhaps the coolest and only instance of New Wave twang.

Anyone who tries to call Dolly a talentless, plastic pretty face need only consider the skill that factors into playing guitar with 3-inch acrylic claws. It’s staggering, really.