ARTS & EVENTS

Idol Chatter: Valley of the Dolly

Express' Greg Barber previews the week ahead on "American Idol."

20080401-dolly.jpg
DOLLY PARTON is as sweet as a tall glass of Southern tea, but the country legend's catalog has a ticking time bomb in it that could be too shiny a bauble for a would-be diva to resist.

It's "I Will Always Love You." And it's a song that will zap any wannabe who touches it like that contraption in the backyard zings mosquitoes.

It was a simple, sweet song when Parton released it in 1974, but it became a megahit when it was re-released by Whitney Houston as an R&B blowtorch on the soundtrack to "The Bodyguard." The Houston version is considerably better known, so it would be impossible for an "Idol" singer to try it without drawing a comparison with the song's latter incarnation.

There are plenty of Dolly songs left, though. Brooke White or Carly Smithson could make serious hay out of "Jolene." Or imagine Syesha Mercado taking on "9 to 5."

But "I Will Always Love You" is one hit that's not begging for a remake.

» COMING UP: Miss Dolly mentors the Idolites on a one-hour episode tonight, followed by an hour-long results show on Wednesday. I'll have recaps the day after each at readexpress.com/idol.

Until then, let's create our own little slice of Dollywood right here. Which songs do you think the contestants should perform? And how will Dolly relate to the contestants? Spill it in the comments section, y'all.

Photo courtesy Fox

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COMMENTS (7)

  • It's going to be tough on the guys for song selection just as it was for the girls during Beatles weeks....

    By Brent , Posted April 1, 2008 1:13 AM

  • Sadly, I don't know enough Dolly songs to be of much use here. Whoever sings Whitney's version of IWALY will earn my everlasting hate. I hope someone sings Dolly's version. Brooke or even Jason might be able to do that successfully. (For Brooke, it was be low-hanging fruit; for Jason, an opportunity to show that he's "in it to win it, dawg!!!")

    By EOC , Posted April 1, 2008 11:32 AM

  • Dolly is a terrific songwriter. Many artist's (male and female)have covered her songs (and Dolly has covered other songwriters too). The Idols could do really well experimenting with Dolly tunes to fit their individual style. "Coat of Many Colors" might also be a good choice. I envision David Cook taking the risk...and rockin in up.
    Tonight's show could also be referred to as Twin Peaks!

    By Sheriff , Posted April 1, 2008 11:54 AM

  • I hope Coat of Many Colors is not the song choice for anyone, much less David Cook.
    It's a sappy, sappy song. I don't think one of her best. Having said that, I can't think of one of her best. It's gonna be tough on the guys. Her songs are clearly female oriented and most are pretty twangy, I think.
    Could be a disaster.

    By Virginia , Posted April 1, 2008 1:49 PM

  • Sheriff - you beat me to it (Twin Peaks!) Boob Job! er, I mean, Good Boob! Oops again, Good Job!!

    I googled Dolly to find that she has written 600+ songs and is the Country songwriter's HoF. I bet I can name, let's see, three, including the head start that Greg and others have given us.

    Let's count how many "Dude, I'm not sure about the song choice" from the Big Dawg, followed by "You were true to yourself, and you look great" from Ms. lovely locks herself. Finally Simonella will serve us the straight scoop (two scoops tonight?). Let's see what new manner he chooses to dismiss Syesha, regardless of/if she sings well.

    My hopes for tonight.
    Carly - sleeves and a new 'do.
    David C - more "MTV", less "Cops".
    Michael - no jeans.
    Brooke - a piano.
    Syesha - yet another new 'do and some 'tude on stage.
    Jason - shades to hide your wide-eyed, raised eyebrow expression
    Remiele - a ticket home
    Kristy - a red/white/blue bikini while holding the Statue of Liberty flame.
    David A - humility

    By RedRocket , Posted April 1, 2008 3:11 PM

  • Omg, Dolly Parton was so wonderful on Idol tonight! You truly forget how great Dolly is until you see her and then you fall in love all over again. What an amazing lady!

    By Dolly Parton Lover , Posted April 2, 2008 10:13 AM

  • was up i love your songs.

    By diana teeter , Posted April 3, 2008 1:45 PM
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