The worlds of country, rock and metal have once again collided as Dolly Parton has debuted “Bygones” off her new albumĀ Rockstar. On the rather metallic track, Parton duets with Judas Priest‘s Rob Halford and gets some added support from Motley Crue members Nikki Sixx and John 5, who play bass and guitar, respectively.
Also out is Parton’s cover of Heart‘s “Magic Man,” featuring Heart’s own Ann Wilson and Howard Leese.
In early May, Parton announced her 30-track album and all its special guests, keeping her promise to release a rock-oriented record following her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year. When the country iconĀ was nominated, the news caught her off guard and she even attempted to withdraw her name from consideration.
When it was revealed that she was among the new class of inductees, Parton toldĀ Billboard, “I feel great. I feel honored that all the people that voted for me did. And I appreciate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame people for staying there with me. I never meant to cause trouble or stir up any controversy. It was just always my belief ā and I think millions of other people out there, too ā always thought the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was just set up for the greatest people in the rock ānā roll business, and I just didnāt feel like I really measured up to that and I donāt want to take anything away from the people that have worked so hard.”
READ MORE:Ā 13 Modern Artists That Are a Little Bit Country + A Little Bit Rock ‘N’ Roll
“Bygones” is a perfect fit for Halford and the eerie opening moments wouldn’t feel out of place on a Judas Priest album.
Our Metal God and the Queen of Country sound fantastic together, trading lines overĀ a dark, brooding verse that builds with energy before their two voices inevitably intertwine over a catchy, soaring chorus.
It’s just a bit cheeky with some on-point rock/metal cliches in the arrangement, but, damn, it just works. Everyone plays the part and it’s downright fun and irresistibly catchy, just the way rock should be.
Listen to “Bygones” further down the page, where you can hear the spot-on cover of Heart’s “Magic Man” as well.
RockstarĀ will be released on Nov. 17 on Butterfly Records.
Dolly Parton, “Bygones” Lyrics
Can you forgive me
Itās true Iāve made mistakes but so have you
Itās just so unfairThe way you hurt me
Cuts so deep I donāt think I can heal
You just leave me bareWhen you break a trust itās painful
To find the one you loves no angel
When respect is gone the biggest part of love goes tooIām sorry, so sorry
How long must you punish me
Why canāt we just move on
Let bygones, be bygones
But you never willWhatās the difference
If this time Iām the one that did the wrong
Should it matterMakinā reference to promises made and broken you just left
Left me cold as stoneWhen you break a trust itās painful
To find the one you loveās no angel
When respect is gone the biggest part of love goes tooIām sorry so sorry
How long must you punish me
Why canāt we just move on
Let bygones, be bygones
But you never willIām sorry so sorry
Full of regret
Forgive and forget
Iām sorry so sorry
You havenāt yet
But tell me
Where do we go from hereIām sorry so sorry
How long must you punish me
Why canāt we just move on
Let bygones be bygones
By God Iām goneIām sorry, so sorry
Truly I am
How long must you punish me
Just put it downWhy canāt we just move on
Just turn it around
Let bygones, be bygonesBut you never
You never
Could you ever
Could you ever
Would you ever
Would you ever
No you never will
Dolly Parton, “Bygones” ft. Rob Halford, Nikki Sixx + John 5
Dolly Parton, “Magic Man” (Heart cover ft. Ann Wilson)
Dolly Parton,Ā Rockstar Album Art + Track Listing
Dolly Parton, ‘Rockstar’
Butterfly Records
1. āRockstar” (with special guest Richie Sambora)
2. āWorld on Fireā
3. āEvery Breath You Take” (feat. Sting)
4. āOpen Arms” (feat. Steve Perry)
5. āMagic Man” (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Lee)
6. āLong As I Can See The Light” (feat. John Fogerty)
7. āEither Or” (feat. Kid Rock)
8. āI Want You Back” (feat. Steven Tyler & special guest Warren Haynes)
9. āWhat Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You” (feat. Stevie Nicks & special guest Waddy Wachtel)
10. āPurple Rainā
11. āBaby, I Love Your Way” (feat. Peter Frampton)
12. āI Hate Myself For Loving You” (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)
13. āNight Moves” (feat. Chris Stapleton)
14. āWrecking Ball” (feat. Miley Cyrus)
15. ā(I Canāt Get No) Satisfaction” (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)
16. āKeep On Loving You” (feat. Kevin Cronin)
17. āHeart Of Glass” (feat. Debbie Harry)
18. āDonāt Let The Sun Go Down On Me” (feat. Elton John)
19. āTried To Rock And Roll Me” (feat. Melissa Etheridge)
20. āStairway To Heaven” (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)
21. āWe Are The Championsā
22. āBygones” (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)
23. āMy Blue Tears” (feat. Simon Le Bon)
24. āWhatās Up?” (feat. Linda Perry)
25. āYouāre No Good” (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)
26. āHeartbreaker” (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)
27. āBittersweet” (feat. Michael McDonald)
28. āI Dreamed About Elvis” (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)
29. āLet It Be” (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)
30. āFree Bird” (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)