Dolly Parton Thought Her 1978 Pop Hit Would End Her Country Career—So She Changed It originally appeared on Parade.
In 1977, Dolly Parton found herself at a career dilemma, one familiar to many country stars attempting a pop crossover. As her singles climbed the charts, she worried that breaking into mainstream pop might alienate her loyal country fan base. But with one simple tweak, Parton struck the perfect balance with a hit pop song, reassuring longtime fans that she hadn’t abandoned her roots, just expanded them.
In the late 1970s, Parton had already found country music success. She topped the charts with “Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)”, “Joshua,” “Jolene,” and “I Will Always Love You.”
By 1977, “Jolene” had crossed over to the pop charts, but peaked at No. 60 according to American Songwriter. Parton was looking for another chance to break onto the pop music charts and utilized the iconic songwriting duo of Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann to do so.
“Here You Come Again” was written by the couple first as a comeback for 50s singer Brenda Lee, who didn’t record it. B.J. Thomas did in 1977.
Parade Daily🎬 SIGN UP for Parade’s Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬
Parton then tried her hand at recording the tune, but she wanted to ensure the song wouldn’t just be classified as pop. Therefore, she asked renowned musician Al Perkins to play a steel guitar solo over the song’s bridge so it would appeal to her country music base.
“She wanted people to be able to hear the steel guitar, so if someone said it isn’t country, she could say it and prove it,” producer Gary Klein told author Tom Roland in The Billboard Book of Number One Country Hits (per The Boot). “She was so relieved. It was like her life sentence was reprieved.”
The singer’s manager, Sandy Gallin, told Andy Cohen that Parton didn’t want to record the titular song. “She said a monkey could sing this song and have a hit with it,” Gallin revealed.
“And she was very nervous that it would turn off the country market, which she was very loyal to. There was no way she wanted to ever let anything insinuate that she may be turning her back on the country audience.”
Ultimately, Gallin “made a deal” with his client and friend. He told her, “If the song is not No. 1 country and No. 1 pop, I never get into your music again,” he said. “I said, ‘I’ll bet it’s No. 1.’ She said, ‘You’re sure of this?’ I said, ‘I’m positive.'”
“Here You Come Again” would top the country charts and land at No. 3 on the Billboard pop charts in January 1978.
Dolly Parton Thought Her 1978 Pop Hit Would End Her Country Career—So She Changed It first appeared on Parade on Jul 19, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
