All language subtitles for Dolly.Friends.The.Making.Of.A.Soundtrack.2018.

[Linda] It's not technically
a Dolly Parton album,

it's a Dolly Parton
soundtrack.

[Dolly] It's amazing
how this music

has taken on
a life of its own.

To get to work
with strong,

talented women,
you appreciate it.

[Linda]
I know you're nervous.

Of course I'm nervous.

[music continues]

Dolly Parton is
calling for me?

This is really like
a dream come true for me.

Sorry. Oh, my gosh.

-Well, good God.
-Sorry.

-Come here. [laughs]
-I just...

Don't tell anyone about this.

[Linda] We are bringing
both of our worlds

into this project.

There's that friction of
her style versus my style.

Instead of battling,
we're coming together.

[Dolly]
Got the new 'ole Dolly.

It's a funny story
about Dumplin'.

I got a call

saying that Jennifer Aniston
had taken the book

and was gonna make it
into a movie.

I said I would love to
do the music.

I'm very honored and proud that,

you know, that I've
touched somebody enough

to wanna write a book.

I've been writing
some new pieces,

singing some songs with
some different artists,

for the soundtrack

and writing with Linda Perry,

who's producing the soundtrack
for the movie.

Very surreal, like when you
have Dolly Parton singing...

# Catch you in it #

...right in front of you.

I'm watching Dolly Parton
right now, record vocals.

It's funny because we
couldn't be any more opposite.

Twig tea, you can try it.

-What?
-It's twiggy,

-it's twig tea.
-It's twiggy?

It's twig tea.

-Oh! I don't like twigs.
-No.

-No, she doesn't want a twig.
-Is this like

-a health food thing?
-Yeah.

-[Dolly laughing]
-She doesn't want no health--

-[Linda laughing]
-I don't want nothing healthy,

I'll die.

Just put a scoop of lard
in there and that'll be good.

Yeah, put some bacon grease
in it and honey in mine.

It doesn't make any sense if
you don't have the confidence

to work with
somebody like Dolly.

And we wouldn't get
anything done,

I would be too intimidated
to, you know, boss her around

or, not that I was
bossing her around.

She's bossing me around.

I can take you out.

-And it'll be--
-[Dolly] I can take you out too.

[all laughing]

So I want you to go
in there and be Dolly.

I believe I can handle Dolly.
[laughs]

Well, you holler--and I know
you're the producer,

so don't--
if you need me

-to do it different.
-Yeah, no.

I mean, I know
I would do it my way

but I'm not producing
this song.

-Well, I want you
to do it your way.
-[Dolly] I know.

Well, if you want me
to do it different, tell me.

-I will, don't worry.
-And then I'll knock
your head off

-and say I'm not doing
it your way.
-I'm an Aries.

-I'm aggressive.
-[laughs] Okay.

Here, she's always saying
that I'm right all the time.

You not gonna be right
all the time.

She's gonna be saying
she's right all the time.

-[laughing]
-I'm gonna say,
I'm right sometimes.

-Are you good with no
harmony on this one?
-I'm good with this.

Yeah. If she's doing the low,
that's probably all
we need on this.

We're good.

-[Dolly] Okay.
-Yeah, great.

All right. Just like you said
to start with.

You got it.
So the whole take again, please.

Yeah, another track,
do you have any thoughts?

No, you're doing great.

I love all, I mean,
what am I gonna tell you?

Well, you're gonna tell me
what you need to tell me.

I'm telling you, you're
great and just do it again,

exactly the way you want to.

I like that there's someone

that finally you've met
your match, Linda.

We have.

[all laughing]

[Dolly]
We're just very strong women,

we've got our own minds but
we're so musically alike,

we both love real music.

# My love of yesterday is gone #

# But he promised no tomorrow #

# But they're
feeling no sorrow #

# Two doors down #

[Linda] Really, really great.

[Dolly] Linda did all these
different bonus tracks

with all these girls
and I was afraid that
she's gonna make them too pop

and they wouldn't fit in
the theme, the styles,

the spirit that I had
written them in.

But she managed in
some genius way,

to take that and she just
interwove into such a way,

it's like a whole new sound,
but it fits so well.

[Linda]
Can you hear yourself okay?

Got enough reverb on this track?

-Can you hear me?
-I can hear you.

-[Dolly] Okay.
-All right.

[upbeat music]

# What is this spell
that's on me #

# That makes me think
you own me #

# I just got screwed up
and I'm gonna change #

# Go back and fix it #

[Linda]
That was really good though.

-Here we go.
-[Dolly] # Holdin' on to you #

Have fun.

# Hold, holdin' on to you #

# I'm so tired of
holdin' on to you #

It's an amazing feeling,
as a songwriter,

to hear other people
do your songs.

# Filling up my senses #

I love how she did that.

Names have been thrown
to us and we're just like,

no, that doesn't feel right.

[Dolly] They have to have
a certain soul,

they have to have
a certain quality.

[Linda] All these artists
have naturally,

organically shown up.

[Dolly laughing]

-Hi there!
-Hi.

-[Dolly] How are you?
-Good, how are you?

I'm excited, I'm so excited.

How did it go? You already
laid down your vocals, right?

Yeah, I did--I did my part and
we've comped a little vocal

and so we're just gonna
let you get in there

and do what you do.

Amazing, no pressure. Just--

Yeah, I'll just go after you.
It's fine.

Well I'll--I'll go out,
you don't want me staying?

So my plan is,

is that basically Dolly's
in there, doing Dolly

and let's just see what you do.

She wants you
to take a verse and

-I know you have great ideas.
-Cool.

Like, she's so pure
and--and--and real.

She's, you know, she's
your kind of people

and I know this is gonna
be a wonderful fit.

So when this came up, I was
like, we got to get Elle King.

This is like one of
the coolest things
I've ever been a part of.

So thank you.

-Well, what the hell? Go sing.
-[Linda laughs]

[Dolly] There are a lot
of people that sing good,

but then there are some
people who just have a sound,

you know it the instant
you hear it

and she's got so much
heart and so much soul

and she's just unique
in every way.

# Holdin', holdin' on to you #

[interviewer] For one of you
in particular,

this is potentially
a dream realized.

Yeah, it's her--it's a dream
come true for her.

-[laughing]
-I'm just kidding,
I'm just kidding.

It is true.

Can I drink that?
Whose is that?

That's my water but
you can have it.

I can drink it?

[Dolly] Yeah.

I feel like if there's
one person I'd drink after
it's Dolly Parton.

[all laughing]

You're like, honestly,
you're my hero.

I mean, I don't wanna like
seem soft or anything,

but just the way that you
carry yourself

and the way that you...

-I'm so sorry.
-Aww.

The way that you are to
people and the way--

Sorry. Oh, my gosh!.

-Well, good God.
-Sorry.

-Come here. [laughs]
-I just...

This is tight.
It's a tight jacket.

It's a tight jacket.

-Don't tell anyone about this.
-[laughs]

This is really like
a dream come true for me.

# Holdin', holdin' on to you #

-# I'll just keep holdin' #
-And we can swap those
back and forth.

I think so. So you should be
in there with her.

-# I'll just keep
holdin', holdin' on #
-[Linda] This song needs it.

[Dolly] So we can just,
you know,

-if we're doing it together--
-It'll be more natural this way.

-You all right with that?
-You take some and
I'll take some.

That's so cool.

-[Dolly] You sound great.
-[Elle] Do I?

It's always more fun
to like do it together.

-Well yeah, it's like
old times too.
-Yeah.

I hadn't been singing that
song for all these years--

It's so good.

-It's so fun.
-But anyway,
when they brought it out,

I thought, wow,
this is so, so neat

and of course, Linda Perry,

she did a real neat take
on it, an arrangement.

I think you can go unison
and just take adlib,

like take things over.

You guys can trade.

[Dolly]
But she--it was very similar.

Like my record,
she didn't stray too far away,

but it had this little feel

and then you really added a
great element to it, I thought.

This is good 'cause now

we can just look
deep into each other's eyes.

It's perfect.

Oh! This is so cool.

[Dolly] She not only
is a unique individual
with her look,

but her voice is so great.

# Like a fool
I'm holding on to you #

# I'm holding on #

# You don't want me,
you don't want me #

# You just hurt and
disappoint me #

# Like a fool,
I'm holding on to you #

[Dolly] And our voices are--
really just perfectly match,

'cause my voice is
really different,

her voice is different.

We're both true stylists.

# Holdin', holdin' on #

[Dolly] We were going to the
same notes at the same time

without even hearing
what the other one was
gonna do on the song.

That was cool,
how we both did it.

-Yeah.
-I like that.

How often do you write?

I write a song
every day I'd say,

but like, a good one,

I don't know,
maybe once every 20 years.

Ah, that's what I say.

I've written 5,000 songs and

I've got five good ones and
that's about the truth.

Thanks for singing with me.

-Yeah, it was good.
-Thank you.

I hope you can make me a star.

Oh yeah, I'm gonna make you
a star. You stick with me kid,

-[laughs]
-I'm gonna make you shine.

[shouts] My hair
almost flew off.

We both shouted-- [laughs]

# I wonder why we can't
just love and be free #

# Let everyone be all that
they wanna be #

[upbeat music]

I'm using Mavis Staples,

who I have loved
since I was a kid.

You look so pretty.
You always look pretty.

-Well, thank you,
I dressed up for you.
-Oh! Girl, please.

-Did I do good?
-[Mavis laughing]

And I asked Linda, I said,
would you be okay,

if I asked for Mavis to
be on one of these things?

It's an honor to meet you.

-Thank you.
-I mean, you're...

-Thank you.
-I mean,

you're Mavis Staples. [laughs]

She said, "Yeah,
Mavis has got that heart,

she's got that gut, that soul."

And so I reached out to her

and she was excited
about doing it.

I love that you and me
after all these years,
are still at it.

All these years, Dolly, yeah.
We're still here.

-We are.
-Can't stop it. We're still--

-We're a force to be
reckoned with.
-Indeed we are.

And I love you,
I love your singing.

-I'm so excited that
you're gonna be.
-Thank you.

I just want us to be
down in history together.

We're going down.

-They can't leave us out.
-No.

-Especially you.
-Well, especially you.

[laughing]

-Are you ready, Miss Mavis?
-# Yes, I'm ready #

-I'm so happy.
-# I'm so ready # [laughs]

You are ready.

I'm so excited about just
being here with this woman.

I have loved her since
the day she came out,

her whole family.

And that was when I first
heard The Staple Singers,

I thought, Oh my Lord!

That's the greatest sound
I've ever heard.

And I fell in love with her.

I'm only five-one.

-Are you?
-Yeah.

-Well, I'm taller than you.
-Are you? Well.

Well, I'm five even.
You could be five even too.

But if I hadn't got so
bunched up at the top,

-I'd have been six-two.
-Hey!

[all laughing]

I'll give you a spanking
[laughs]

I sent word to see if she
would be willing to sing,

'cause I wrote this song
with her in mind.

# I wonder why we can't
love and be free #

# Let everyone be all that
they wanna be #

It was like, I heard her.

And so I thought,
well I'm getting her.

-# My brothers, my sisters #
-# Whoa #

# Come home by my side #

# Oh, I will if you will #

# And why don't we try #

[Mavis] I'm so glad
you called me.

You should have seen me.

If I could have turned a flip,
I would have.

-[laughs]
-I said, Dolly Parton is
calling for me?

I'm just grateful.

[Dolly] When we heard our
voices together though,

to me, it just ran
through me like lightning.

-[Mavis] Yeah.
-It was really like a drug.

It was like, wow!

I felt like-- [exclaims]

You know, my--my hair
almost flew off.

We both shouted-- [laughs]

We almost lost our hair.

We almost lost our hair.
I tell you.

# I wonder why we can't
just love and be free #

# Let everyone be all that
they wanna be #

# Judge not lest we be judged #

# Let heaven decide #

-# Still we don't do it #
-# Oh #

# And I wonder why #

[Mavis] I heard myself trying
to sing like Dolly.

Her voice is so...

She's like an angel.

Just heavenly.

For me to sing with her,

when I heard her voice
in my head,

I said, Oh Lordy!

Let me get--
let me do this though.

I--I'm getting all jittery now.

But she's perfect.

# I see you my brother #

# And I love you that way #

[Dolly] My voice is so high,

you know, high pitched
and high textured,

but hers is that low gravely,
growly, I don't know.

-There's so much soul in it.
-[Mavis] That's why we jam.

[Dolly] That would be
so perfect.

-[Mavis] Yes.
-[Dolly] With our voices
being so different

but so soulful.

# Why we are blinded
from seeing that far #

I sing my heart out
like she does.

I feel it from everywhere
in me when I sing

and so does she.

Sing, Dolly!

# I wonder why we can't
love and be free #

# Let everyone be all that
they wanna be #

[Mavis] It's a beautiful song.

-[Dolly] Why, thank you.
-[Mavis] Beautiful song.

And the message in the song

is just what I've been
singing for years.

And so it's just right
on time for me

and right on time for today.

-Oh, we need it today.
-We need it.

-I was thinking that too
when I was writing it.

Yes, indeed.

'Cause it's about
acceptance and love

with brothers and sisters
and all of us, you know,

just loving one another.

-That's great Dolly.
-I tailor made it to get you.

[laughs]

# Still we don't do it
and I wonder why #

One line in that song was
a tongue twister for me.

[Dolly and Mavis]
# Let's light the fire #

[Dolly]
# With love won't they light #

[Mavis] Love won't they light.

-[Dolly blabbering]
-[Mavis] I couldn't get that.

You got it, you got it good.

And I said-- [blabbering]

# Let's light the fire #

# Spread love won't they light #

-I got it.
-You got it.

What they're really gonna
say when they hear it,

they're gonna say,

"What a clever idea to
have Mavis on this song."

I'm serious. They'll think, wow!

They're gonna think,
wow, what a great idea.

And they're gonna say,

"How in the world is Mavis
keeping up with Dolly?"

-[laughs]
-You know?

We're doing all right
for two old bags.

Two old girls?

Yeah. Two old bags, right.

# But still we don't do
it and I wonder why #

[all laughing]

We got it.

-We got it!
-[crew applauding]

-[Linda] Say hi to Dolly
and Mavis.
-[Dolly] Well hello. Hey!

-[Mavis] Hey, Macy!
-[Linda] Macy Gray.

[Dolly] Great to see you!
We're finishing up
our little piece

and then we're gonna
get after you.

-I know, I'm listening.
-[Dolly and Linda laughing]

-You're making me all nervous.
-[Linda laughing]

I don't know how I'm
gonna follow that.

[Dolly] I just love the fact
that Linda and I,

both are getting the people
in that we want.

[Lind] To have Mavis and Macy
and all of a sudden poof!

You know, it just
turns into magic.

Lightning in a bottle.

[Macy] I kinda--
kinda couldn't breathe

'cause I was--I was trying to
be, you know, cooler.

I said, "Hey Dolly,
how you doing?"

But as soon as
she walked away,

I don't know what I
was gonna do.

I almost started running.

Proud to have you here.

When Linda said,
"what about Macy?"

And I said, "Are you serious?
You think she would do it?"

And she said, "Yeah,
I think she would."

So I thought that would
be the coolest thing.

So just to have that heart,
that soul,

that unique, special sound.

And just with somebody
that I also admire.

It was really a nice thing.

Who ever knows how
you're gonna wind up

and how you're gonna
sound together.

But that's how great
duets are born.

We did "Two Doors Down,"
my old song

and it's just a full
on party kind of sound

but she brought such
great things to it.

And just all the adlibs and--

[Macy]
Oh, I love--I love the song.

It's a fun song about
people partying, drinking

and having a good time
and you're there,

-with your broken heart.
-All alone.

And then all of a sudden
you decide to join the party
and before you know it--

-Yeah.
-...you're partying with
them right in your house.

[all laughing]

Heartbreak over.

# Yeah, two doors down #

# They're lovin',
and drinkin' and #

# Having a party #

# Two doors down, they're
not aware that I'm around #

"Islands In the Stream,"
that's one of my favorite
songs in the world.

I don't remember the first
song I heard of yours,

I just remember the things
that, visually,

that I never forgot.

Well, I'm hard to forget,
I look like a cartoon, don't I?

[laughs] Still do.

[Macy] I just think it's the
life of an artist, you know,

you get to do magical things,
you know, and that stuff.

With all the sacrifices
you make

and all the things you
have to do without.

So I think that's the payoff.

You get days like this,
you know what I mean?

I think you kind of
set the example for--

for how far you can go,
you know?

Because you did country

and there's a lot of
people who are your fans,

who are not country fans.

Kinda set
the whole icon thing.

You kind of showed everybody,
especially women,

what's--what's possible.

-[man] Have you met Linda yet?
-Uh-uh.

She's a tiny little ol' thing
with a great big talent.

-[Linda] Hey!
-[Dolly] And a funny little hat.

Hello! How are you?

-Nice to see you.
-[Linda] Nice to see you.

-I like your little hat.
-Thank you.

-[Dolly] Ain't she a cutie?
-She is.

[Dolly] Wait 'til you hear
these tracks. She's done
some amazing things.

-You heard it?
-It sounds great,
I love it.

# Just because I'm blonde,
don't think I'm dumb #

# Cause this dumb blonde
ain't nobody's fool #

-And we're done.
-Great.

[laughs] Let's go talk about it.

-Okay.
-Talk about how good we are.

Okay [laughs].

[gentle music]

[woman] # Here you come again #

-That's so neat.
-That's good, right?

But it's really
a fresh take on it

but she actually
makes it sadder, you know?

Like the song says,
so it so fits every couple.

# Here you come again #

# Looking better than
a body has a right to #

# Shaking me up so #

# That all I really know #

# Is here you come again #

# And here I go #

Keep that.

-[Dolly] Is that the right
note at the start?
-Yeah, just go...

[Linda and Dolly]
# You're messing with my mind #

-[Dolly] # Mind # [vocalizes]
-Yeah.

# You're messing with my mind #

# You're messing with
my mind, mind #

[Linda] Well, I'm only telling
you to do this

'cause you did it before.

So I really liked it.

# You're messing with my mind #

Yeah, if I could.

I always do it
different though.

# You're messing up my mind #

# Filling up my senses #

# 'Cause here you come again #

[man] Wow!

[crew applauding]

[Linda] Amazing.

Linda and I are offering
beautiful things to each other,

on a musical level,
that's really inspiring
to both of us.

So tell me what you
need me to do.

Okay, so today we're
gonna do "Dumb Blonde,"

and that's the one you're
singing with Miranda.

So, I did the harmony one,

where it will be what
Miranda will be doing.

Do you wanna try singing to that

just to see--play around
with that vibe?

To sing a little harmony?

Aw, hit it, boys.

-[upbeat country music]
-[laughs]

Hit it good.

# Don't try to cry #

# Your way out of this,
don't try to lie #

# Or I'll catch you in it #

# Don't try to make me #

Did you forget I was little?

-[Linda laughs]
-[Dolly] What's great
about her,

she doesn't try to change
me into anything.

We'll do one more without that

and then we'll go on
to the harmony.

[Dolly] I welcomed her input,

it kind of put me
in a new place.

And she welcomed mine 'cause
it put her in another place.

So I don't want you
to sing that,

I just want you to sing with it.

-So take her vocal out.
-Oh!

-Oh, that--the phrasing.
-Yes.

It's a different melody.

Well, no, it'll be just
exactly just underneath you.

-So you'll be able to sing--
-Let me go in there with you.

-Yeah.
-Let me hear it till
I get it right.

We are bringing both of
our worlds into this project.

# Don't try to cry #

Oh, you need me to
sing another part?

# Your way out of this #

[Linda] No, you're just
being exactly you

but maybe if this is in,

you'll work around it.

There's that friction of
her style versus my style.

# Feel sorry for you #

-Yeah.
-Oh! Sure.

# Just because I'm blonde
don't think I'm dumb #

Instead of battling,
we're coming together.

Okay, I see what
you're saying.

[Linda]
So yeah, it's just being aware

that that's what her
part will be.

Well, yeah, 'cause
I didn't hear that at all,

-I wasn't trying to
phrase with that at all.
-Yeah.

Is she singing all
the way through?

All the way through
then she cuts out, I think,
on the second verse

and then comes back in.

But I could sing a harmony
part with her, on a higher part,

if you wanted her to
maybe do the second verse?

Yeah, but no matter what,
she would be under.

-[Dolly] Okay.
-You know what I mean?

-Yeah, okay, I see what
you're saying.
-I think to have you,

-it would be great.
-[Dolly] All right, we got it.

[Linda] All right, here we go.

# Oh, but somehow
I live through it #

# And you know if there's one
thing blonde has learned #

# Blondes have more fun #

[vocalizing]

-# For my old spool #
-Punch in right there.

Well now, she'll phrase
with me but that's basically--

Yes, she's gonna
phrase with you,

but I just wanted you
to understand

and be aware of that's
gonna be a harmony.

-Mm-hm.
-Because she probably
learned that harmony.

-Yes.
-It'll work on
no matter what you do.

I'm just letting you
be aware of it.

No, that helps.

# Just because I'm blonde,
don't think I'm dumb #

# 'Cause this dumb blonde
ain't nobody's fool #

No she ain't.

[Linda laughing]

[Dolly laughing]

So amazing.

Miranda's here.

-Oh great!
-And we're on time though.

[Miranda] Hello.

How are you?

-Oh!
-Nice to meet you.

I feel like I have known
you all my life.

I do too.

They said, you're
gonna meet Miranda

for the first time today,
and I said, I am?

I was in the elevator
with you one time,

but I got too scared to say hi.

I mean, I really feel
like I knew you

and I said,
"Oh! That can't be so."

They said,
"You've never met Miranda."

I said, "Well, I've seen her,
I know her,

I feel like I know her."

And so, it's not different.

You feel just like
I knew you would.

-Good, you do too.
-Oh! Good.

I feel a kindred
spirit with you but,

I was nervous though,

'cause today is
the first time like,

-actual face to face time.
-[Dolly laughs]

-[Miranda] So that's good.
-[Dolly] It was good though.

Didn't you feel that too?

Like when we first met, it
was like just three seconds

and it's like I thought
it would be and it is.

Like I felt like I knew you,
so good.

I was so excited
to have Miranda sing
"Dumb Blonde" with me.

Here we are, two blondes,
anything but dumb.

We might be a little silly
but we're not dumb.

I just want you to
just feel comfortable.

I know you're nervous,
I can already see.

[laughs] Of course I'm nervous.

The most important part is
just emotionally being attached

because--

-I already am.
-Yeah, I know you are.

Anyways, because it's her.

But it's like, just be you,

you're amazing,
you know and, um--

I second that.

-Yeah, I think you're--
-I just need to record this

and carry it around
with me. [laughs]

And every time I feel nervous,
just replay it.

I just need the audio
every morning. [laughs]

Well, what's great about
you is that you're sassy.

Like you have an edge, you know,

so just bring that.

This is why the song is
perfect for you.

And I think with
that lower part, you know,

because I love your
lower register.

You know, a lot of girls
can't go low and be edgy.

It just sits in this area.

So just go do Miranda,

and don't worry about

that it's Dolly Parton
you're singing with

and that this is happening.

-She knows me now.
-Yeah. So, you know.

She ain't nervous
about that part.

Yeah. Let's do this.

Let's do it.

I don't think you need
to be told how to sing.

I--well, if you--I will take it
from you if you want to tell me.

Well, not only did I
get to meet Dolly

for the first time today,

but like singing one
of her songs

that's kind of a staple
for her, with her

and recording with her
and Linda Perry.

I feel humbled to be asked

but I feel really proud
to be with these two gals

and all the women on
the soundtrack,

it's gonna be a powerful
group of women

and it's so cool to like not
only get to just meet you,

but actually sing with
you the same day.

# Or I'll catch you in it #

# Don't try to make me #

# Feel sorry for you #

# Just because I'm blonde,
don't think I'm dumb #

# Cause this dumb blonde
ain't nobody's fool #

Hearing my voice with Dolly
is kind of surreal right now.

I don't think I've processed it.

[Dolly] Miranda reminds me
so much of me,

when I first came to town.

There's a part of her
that has a rawness,

You know, a soulful kind of
feeling about her, unpolished.

I was really nervous.
I was wanting to nail it

'cause you've been doing
this song for a long time.

-Yes, I have. [laughs]
-You know, and I--and I--

[Dolly] 50-something years.

[Miranda] Well,
I'm just learning it,

so I wanted to make sure
that I was like,

singing with you but still
having my own personality.

Well, you did a great job.
I was real proud.

It's a great song.

It's perfect for us,
I think.

# Just because I'm blonde,
don't think I'm dumb #

[Miranda] It's really
a highlight of my life,

not only my life, my career.

Today is one of those like,
bucket list days.

[Dolly] And I'm honored to
have met you and just--

[Miranda]
Well, I'm honored so much.

I mean, you know,
you've influenced all females,

in any industry really,

but especially for like a little
East Texas country singer,

like you've just set
the bar so high

and something to strive to

and like to follow in
your footsteps

is an honor for all of us

and I'm just thrilled
to get to sing with you

and record with you and like,
you know, watch your process

because we can learn
a lot from you.

Well, thank you.

I wouldn't advise you to
try and walk in my shoes.

They don't look
that comfortable.

# Walk a mile in my shoes
and you'll never walk again #

[all laughing]

You will not find this
on another mandolin

because that's boob sweat.

[all laughing]

[Rhonda] Except for on Dolly's,
huh? I guess. [laughs]

And then we have our
Rhonda pick right here.

Mandolin, more track,
verb, and that's the master.

But you know.

It's not your first time
at the rodeo, is it?

No, no it's not.

# Nothing's gonna
ever change it #

# Much #

# If we don't #

[bright music]

The writing process was
extremely easy

because I think we both just
come from not sitting down

and thinking about writing,

we just are sitting and
feeling our way through it.

When I go record it, it's just
gonna be really good for--

How's this for a first line?

I was wanting to paint
the picture of the movie.

[music continues]

[Linda] I think with Dolly,
you get story.

It's a very old school
way of writing.

But it's very refreshing right
now because it's very needed.

Yeah, I love that.

For "Girl In the Movies"

This is great too. Yup.

# Popcorn, Cokes and
Raisinets #

"Girl In the Movies" is one
of my very favorite things

that we've done.

# Popcorn, soda,
box of Raisinets #

The song itself talks
about a girl

that spends her life
looking at other people,

living her life through
other people.

# Up on the silver screen,
I picture me #

And she decides that I'm gonna
be the girl in the movie.

I'm gonna be the one that can
pick the roles that I choose.

# I wanna be the girl
in the movies #

# The one with the stars
in her eyes #

I'm a very sensitive person,
I hurt deep,

but I have to hurt deep

and I have to feel all those
feelings in order to write

and I cannot harden my heart
against things.

I've been through it all,
seen it all, been it all,

felt it and been able to
write about it.

I've always been
inspired by powerful women

that have something to say.

# It's time I showed the world #

# Just what I'm about #

# I'm stepping up #

# And I'm stepping out #

I want my music to be inspiring.

I want it to be uplifting
and empowering to people.

And especially if I can
uplift women in any way.

The idea that I created
something out of my love for her

and now she's gone and created
something inspired by that,

like, that's just the most full
circle moment as an artist,

-that you can ever experience.
-That's well put.

# Gonna stand up #

# And I'm gonna matter #

# 'Cause I've had enough of
my dreams being shattered #

# And I've had enough of
my tears being splattered #

# I've already been that girl #

[Linda] If you listen to
a lot of soundtracks,

the songs have nothing to do
with the movie whatsoever.

This is going to be a very
artful, poetic soundtrack

that has a lot of purpose
and a lot of thought.

# I wanna be happy #

# I wanna be free #

# Just like the girl
in the movie #

This soundtrack is Dolly,
you know, 24-seven.

Being inspired by, you know,
things that you've said

-and songs that you've written.
-That's sweet.

# Look around and see
what's going on #

# What's going on #

This particular song,
"If We Don't,"

was really one of the first
songs that we wrote together.

...if there's just
the little words like,

ifs, ands, buts, who, how,

and being in there with
the background.

I understand.

[Dolly] 'Cause I write all
these words, you know,

I cram 'em all in and
Linda says,

"You write so many words."
I say, well, I got a lot to say.

Linda did a great job on
this particular track.

It's the only one
that's really like
a real solid country thing.

She kinda did it in
a Johnny Cash mode.

# I'd like to think
there is a better way #

# A better way,
a brighter day #

As soon
as I heard the track,

I thought we gotta
really give some flavor.

Well, she's as good a
musician as she is a singer.

I said, There's nobody more
talented in this town,

than Rhonda Vincent and
Alison Krauss."

And I thought it would be
like girl power,

to not only have these
beautiful girls
that can also sing,

but they can also play.

I was really proud of
both of them.

So I thought, well, I gotta
get my girls on this track.

# If we don't #

Rhonda played mandolin
and sounds great.

Everything's--so just
basically just have fun,

do whatever you feel like is
instinctively coming to you

and that's about it.

'Cause the song is just
so fun and just kind of...

It's just supposed to
have that feel.

So whatever you want to do,
you just do.

-Okay.
-And then--

You're both are kind of
perfectionists,

you work similar.

I told her like,
she's re--so into the music,

I said Allison's like that,
she's such a perfectionist,

such a pro though.

So good.

So just play and I know Allison,

if it ain't right,
she won't do it.

-[Linda] Yeah. [laughs]

I'll have another take,
I'll have another take.

Another, another, another,
another, another take.

I'm like, I'll go out
and do one take,

but she gets it right.

That's because it's
perfect the first time.

It's the highlight of
your musical experience

to get to be next to
this greatness,

and for so many of us
just to hear it

and then to even get
just a little step closer
to hear it,

you know, through
the headphones or to
even participate or be asked.

I can't compare it to
anything else I've got to do.

Don't you think you're
spreading it out a little thick?

-Nope.
-No. [Dolly laughing]

Actually, I thought it
was a little less thick

than what I had to offer.

Actually I held back.

I can't even judge that
kind of profession, I'm like.

Oh, Lord, help us.

I used to sing a lot
with my sisters.

And of course she sings
with her family as well

and being country people

and really feeling that
music down really in the gut,

not just something you learn,

you've lived that music,
you love that music.

There's something that
comes from your soul.

You go to little places.

# Trying to make a
difference in this world #

# Before we're through #

# Who will do it,
who will do it #

# Who will do it, who #

# If we don't #

When we're singing
together I get so excited.

Amazing.

On this take,
can you do some now

where you're on the off?

So it's like, [vocalizes]
just your licks.

You know what I mean?

[Linda humming]

Basically when
she's not singing?

Yeah. So in between. Yeah.

Then, I'm hearing with
what you're doing,

then I hear that Allison
could probably do--

-[imitating violin]
-Oh, yeah.

I like it.

Okay.

When you listen to someone
else, especially like Dolly,

when you listen to that voice
and just the rolls or what--

Everybody calls them
something different.

I've heard trails,
I've heard rolls,

how we do the little
things we do with notes,

we just automatically do
that naturally.

And then when they blend
together, it's real good.

# Nothing's gonna ever
change it much #

# If we don't #

[Dolly] I said,
"Bring your mandolin,

I want you to impress them
with what you can do."

She got in there and she was
knocking their socks off.

Even I was like taken aback,
as they say.

She was just killing it
in there

and I was so proud,
I was like, that's my girl!

[Allison] Rhonda, the first
time I heard her,

she played everything

and I remember sitting
there with my mouth open,

watching her play and
hear Dolly say,

that we were all in
the same phrase

is kind of a big deal for me.

# If I don't #

[all laughing]

Good one!

Nearly--nearly perfect.

She came to me saying that
I had this idea

of how to do "Jolene"
and I thought,

oh yeah, okay, here it comes.

Let's do the whole part.
[hums]

I thought, well I can't
sing "Jolene" again.

Just hold the note
for a second

and I'll show you what
I'm talking about.

[Linda]
Strings can ruin things.

[gentle music]

[Dolly] It just made it
completely different,

like it's another
song altogether.

It's gonna be simplistic
pretty, enhancing, for drama.

# Jolene, Jolene,
Jolene, Jolene #

[bright music]

It really seems like
a very blessed project.

You know how some things
just seem to happen?

Like they're meant to be?

Like they're supposed to be?

'Cause then when that
usually happens,

all the elements that usually
cause you all kind of trouble,

everything just
falls into place.

[Linda] The energy of both of
us together is just...

I think we're creating
a different sound

and that's the best place
you want to be.

-And I believe we're doing
something different.
-Yeah.

Let's see how your voice just
almost sounds like a harmony

because your tone is different.

[Dolly]
Well, she came to me saying,

"I don't know if you'll
like this idea,

I don't know if you'll feel
like you're betraying yourself

or whatever

but I had this idea of
how to do 'Jolene.'"

And I thought, oh yeah,
okay, here it comes.

All right, here we go.

[Dolly] You know,
I can't re-record that

because it's like,
such an iconic song now.

I call my string guy
and I'm like,

"I need you to do an
arrangement, like Eleanor Rigby,

but to 'Jolene.'"

Yeah, there's something--

-Let's--yeah, it's like
a half-step--
-...tricky.

-Yeah, we can get rid of that.
-I would get rid of that.

That is really a great idea.

Dolly is gonna sing to a string
arrangement of "Jolene,"

which is, I can't
wait to hear.

[Dolly] She's really
slowed it down doing it
like with strings.

It just made it
completely different.

Like it's another song
altogether.

I think it'll work.

You guys ready?

-[man] Yes, ma'am.
-Okay, so we're at the top.

This woman, like she's
prepared to stay here

till three AM with us,
you know,

and go the whole mile

and I told her it's gonna
be a long night

and she was like, "I'm here."

You want to go inspire them?

-Yeah, I wanna go say hi.
-Come on.

-[Linda] I got somebody that
wants to say hi.
-[Dolly] Hello!

# I wanna be the girl
in the movie #

[all laughing]

That's fantastic, isn't it?

I kept looking for everybody.

I only saw you through
the monitor in there.

Well anyway,
you're sounding wonderful.

[man] Thank you so much.

I'm happy to have you
on my record.

She's--she's a hard one to
work with though.

This one, right here.

-[all laughing]
-Making it all come to life.

She's done some wonderful work

and I'm just proud to be...

As any pro would say
"just so proud to be here."

[all laughing]

Strings can ruin things to me.

Just hold the note for a second

and I'll show you what
I'm talking about.

So just everybody,
just hold the note.

Two, three, four.

[gentle music]

[Linda]
Or they can really help lift

and all this is gonna
be very subtle.

It's gonna be simplistic,
pretty, enhancing, for drama,

that's it.

[gentle music]

# Jolene, Jolene,
Jolene, Jolene #

# I'm begging of you,
please don't take my man #

# Jolene, Jolene,
Jolene, Jolene #

# Please don't take him
just because you can #

[Linda] I look at Dolly
all the time and I'm like...

[mouthing words]

That's like, I'm working
with Dolly Parton

but I don't show her
that part of me

because I just
want her to know

that I'm cool, calm, collected
and you know I got this.

# When he talks about you
in his sleep #

# There's nothing I can
do to keep from crying #

# When he calls
your name, Jolene #

[Linda]
Something big is happening.

It literally takes my
breath away.

Like I could cry right now.

[clears throat]
It's happening to me now.

# Oh, but I can
easily understand #

# How you could easily
take my man #

# But you don't know what
he means to me, Jolene #

# Jolene, Jolene,
Jolene, Jolene #

# Oh I'm begging of you,
please don't take my man #

# Jolene, Jolene,
Jolene, Jolene #

# Please don't take him
just because you can #

She's very careful
about making sure

that it's not a departure
from who I am

to just take it a step up,
you know, modernize it

but it still feels like me.

# Jolene, Jolene,
Jolene, Jolene #

# Oh I'm begging of you,
please don't take my man #

# Jolene, Jolene,
Jolene, Jolene #

# Please don't take him
just because you can #

# Jolene #

# Jolene #

Put a button on it.

We really do have
a wonderful connection.

I know my music,
she knows her music,

but the fact that we,
luckily, teamed up

and just seems to be working.

To meet somebody,
especially another girl,

I've worked with
a lot of men too

but I've never worked with
women in this capacity.

I think it was just
meant to be.

[Linda] Yep, and then all
the artists that joined in,

it's pretty great too

because they have their own
incredible, unique voices.

So it's like you're
getting little pieces

of love everywhere, because
everybody who joined in,

really, from the heart,
wanted to be a part of this.

[Dolly] Well, it's a great
honor for people to love me,

as a person,

to appreciate me as a singer

and to appreciate me
as a writer.

'Cause I've tried to
figure it out.

Just think how I got so lucky.

It makes me feel meaningful.

It makes me feel like
my life's not been in vain.

I have to believe it

and I think
that people can feel that.

I knew that was my phone
when I heard it,

but I wasn't gonna admit it.

[crew members laughing]

Unless I got busted,
like I just did.

And I was like
what the [beep]? You know.

-Then I said, okay.
-Beep.

I said, I'll--

-Dollywood.
-[laughs]

You'll have to come some time.

I'll get you in free.

Like two [beep] in the night.

This is like amazing,
so I've blacked out.

I don't know what
we've done already.

Hey, you produce, we'll sing.

[Linda laughing]

-Okie dokie.
-And that's the end of
our interview.

-And that--that--
-Whether you like it or not,
we're done.

[Mavis laughing]

Cut.

[gentle music]

# Jolene, Jolene,
Jolene, Jolene #

# Please don't take him
just because you can #

# Jolene #

# Jolene #

Put a button on it.