Dolly Parton Talks about Faith, Frustration, and the Loss of Trust in God
Country music icon Dolly Parton recently opened up about her deep faith and her frustrations with the current state of politics. In a candid interview with Nancy O’Dell on TalkShopLive, Parton discussed her upcoming projects, including her new album “Rockstar” and her latest book “Behind the Seams: My Life in Rhinestone.”
Parton’s album, set to be released in November, will feature collaborations with renowned artists such as Lizzo, Kid Rock, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks, Sting, and Elton John. However, one particular song on the album called “World on Fire” holds special significance for the 77-year-old singer.
The song begins and ends with the lines:
“Liar, liar, the world’s on fire
What you gonna do when it all burns down?
Fire, fire, burnin’ higher
Still got time to turn it all around…”
In one verse, Parton sings: “I don’t know what to think about us / When did we lose ‘In God We Trust’? / God Almighty, what are we gonna do? / If God isn’t listening and we’re deaf too?”
The song continues: “Don’t get me started on politics / Now how are we supposed to live in a world like this / Greedy politicians, present and past…Now tell me, what is truth / Have we all lost sight / Of common decency / Of right and wrong? / How do we bridge this great divide? / Do we care enough to try?”
Parton clarified during the interview that the song wasn’t intended as a personal attack on politicians, but rather as a way for her to express her frustrations with the current state of the world.
“This song was important to me, but it wasn’t political,” she explained. “Though I did mention greedy politicians, that issue is prevalent worldwide. We need to pay attention. We can’t let the world burn down around us due to greed and hate. I felt the urge to say something because it was bottled up inside me.”
When asked about how she handles moments of anger, Parton revealed her approach:
“I don’t lose my temper, but I use my temper,” she said. “Of course, there have been times when I’ve lost control, but it’s not so much losing my temper as using it. Sometimes, there are people you have to confront, and raising my voice can be a shock to them because it’s not what they expect from me.”
Parton emphasized the role of her faith in guiding her through difficult moments. She shared, “My faith impacts everything I do because I truly believe that with God, all things are possible. I always seek God’s blessings in everything I do, and I ask for the right things and right people to come into my life while removing the wrong ones.”
She spoke about how her spirituality has served as a guiding light and a source of strength throughout her life and career. Parton believes that love is the answer and uses her creative and spiritual energy to continue making a difference.
In a previous performance, Parton made headlines with her hit song “Go to Hell,” where she passionately rebuked the devil on national television. She also revealed that her song “Don’t Make Me Have to Come Down There” was inspired by a divine dream from God, urging people to bridge the divide and seek God’s guidance through prayer.
The interview provided a glimpse into Dolly Parton’s faith, frustrations, and her unwavering belief in the power of God. Her music and words remind us to hold onto our faith and to strive for unity and love in a world that often feels divided.
