At the 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, Dolly Parton had a powerful emotional moment that she hadn’t expected. The performance of her iconic song “Jolene” by pop-rock star P!nk left Dolly visibly moved and even shaken. As P!nk’s raw, rock-inspired rendition filled the stage, Dolly admitted, “I had to catch my breath,” revealing that the intense interpretation brought out hidden, darker emotions from the song that she had avoided for over fifty years.
Since its release in 1973, “Jolene” has been covered by hundreds of artists, ranging from The White Stripes to Pentatonix, but it was P!nk’s version at this ceremony that dug deeper into the song’s emotional core. The 2022 event, held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, was already significant for Dolly, as she initially hesitated to accept her nomination, feeling she wasn’t “rock” enough. However, by the time the night ended, she boldly declared, “I’m a rock star now!” In a unique collaboration, a supergroup including Annie Lennox, Sheryl Crow, Pat Benatar, Brandi Carlile, and Judas Priest’s Rob Halford performed “Jolene,” but it was P!nk’s rendition of the song’s most poignant verses that stood out. Her performance was a stark departure from the traditional, gentle plea in Dolly’s original, replacing it with an unrelenting, “dangerous” energy.
Dolly has always viewed “Jolene” as an expression of vulnerability. The song was inspired by a real-life encounter with a red-headed bank teller who flirted with Dolly’s husband, Carl Dean. But P!nk’s interpretation transformed the pleading into a confrontation, giving the song a “dangerous new life.” The raw, rock-infused delivery, filled with P!nk’s trademark gritty vocals, revealed an anger and frustration that had previously been hidden in the lyrics. For Dolly, watching P!nk sing “Jolene” felt like watching the song’s character finally stand up for herself after years of silently begging for mercy.
This powerful performance didn’t just impact those present at the Hall of Fame; it left an impression on the world. Following the event, Dolly embraced this new edge in her music, releasing her album Rockstar in 2023, which became her highest-charting debut on the Billboard 200. The performance of “Jolene” from the ceremony quickly went viral, with fans and critics alike praising the “vocal alchemy” between P!nk’s rock power and Dolly’s emotional storytelling. The collaboration demonstrated that “Jolene” was no longer just a country classic, but a living piece of music that continues to evolve.
The bond between Dolly and P!nk is not new. In 2019, P!nk had already honored Dolly with a stunning tribute at the MusiCares Person of the Year gala. During her 2022 induction speech, P!nk referred to Dolly as a “goddess” who brings light and joy to the world. This deep admiration between the two artists allowed P!nk the freedom to approach the song in a way that most others wouldn’t. As Dolly herself pointed out, it takes a true rocker to remind the world that even the gentlest pleas can carry sharp edges. The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction did more than just cement Dolly Parton’s place in rock history—it allowed her to finally catch her breath.
