Dolly Parton’s rhinestone-studded legacy will outlive her.

The country music icon died Tuesday in Nashville at the age of 80. Parton’s career began in 1956, spanning music, film and philanthropy – all while touching generations of fans.

Keep reading to know more about moments the Daily Bruin Arts contributors are celebrating from the “Queen of Country’s” legacy.

“Jolene”

Flaming locks of auburn hair, ivory skin and eyes of emerald green will always be associated with Dolly Parton’s “Jolene.”

The hit 1973 single portrays Parton pleading with another woman not to take her “man.” “Jolene” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and became Parton’s debut entry on the Billboard Hot 100. The singer earned two consecutive Grammy Award nominations for the single, which has become a country classic known for its iconic chorus.

The track has been covered and reworked by hundreds of artists from Miley Cyrus to Beyoncé. Over 50 years later, the song’s legacy across decades of music highlights Parton’s timeless songwriting. The generations of writers that followed have praised Parton as an artist who shaped the contemporary country music genre by using songwriting as a vehicle for narrative storytelling and emotional expression.

A career highlight, “Jolene” showcases Parton’s mastery of songwriting and her everlasting impact on pop culture.

– Ammar Rashid

[Related: Concert preview: Daisy Chain Fields promises colorful performances with all-women lineup]

“I Will Always Love You”

More than any other song, “I Will Always Love You” has a message that seems to resonate with fans most as they remember Dolly Parton.

Parton wrote “I Will Always Love You” in 1973 as a gracious goodbye to her vocal partner Porter Wagoner as she transitioned to a solo career. The country singer said she wrote this song and “Jolene” within a few days of each other. The song was released in 1974 and hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. After re-recording the song for the 1982 film “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,” the track hit No.1 for a second time.

The hit has been covered many times since its initial release – the most notable being Whitney Houston’s pop version from 1992. That rendition earned Houston a Diamond-certified single and became the best-selling single of all time by a female solo artist.

A song of respect, appreciation and moving forward, “I Will Always Love You,” is more than a country ballad. It is a testament to Parton as a person and an artist.

– Caitlin Brockenbrow

Imagination Library

More than 100 million records sold and 300 million books gifted to children.

Beyond her hits as a musician, Dolly Parton will be celebrated for her philanthropy. In 1995, Parton founded the Imagination Library, which sends free books to children from birth to age 5 regardless of income level. She created the program to honor her father, who could not read or write. The Imagination Library distributes more than 3 million books each month.

The program has received awards from Good Housekeeping, the Library of Congress and the National Education Association for its impact on childhood literacy. The American Library Association awarded Parton with a lifetime membership in 2023 to recognize her contribution in sparking a love for reading in young children. Two years later, a study found that the program helped to prevent early literacy gaps, with children enrolled in the program being nine times more likely to read four or more days a week.

“I just give from my heart,” Parton said when accepting the 2022 Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy.

She will be remembered for her heart.

– Amelia Chief

[Related: Theater preview: Fan-favorite, magical productions join Los Angeles stages this summer]

“9 to 5”

Starring in a hit film and writing its hit theme song is one of Dolly Parton’s most impressive artistic accomplishments.

A true multi-hyphenate, Parton’s film career kicked off in 1980 with her role as Doralee Rhodes in Colin Higgins’ screwball comedy “9 to 5.”Sharing the screen with Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, Parton held her own with her big, blonde curls and even bigger comedy chops. On set, Parton was without her guitar, but managed to find the title track’s iconic rhythm by simply tapping her long acrylic nails between takes.

Parton’s song underscored the film’s working class and feminist themes while reflecting a progressive spirit central to country music. “It’s a rich man’s game no matter what they call it / And you spend your life puttin’ money in his wallet,” Parton sings, catchily calling for class consciousness. Throughout her career, Parton’s actions aligned with her words, financially supporting the working class and their children through the Dollywood Foundation.

Parton promised someday “the tide’s gonna turn and it’s all gonna roll your way.” The world is closer to that day now because of Parton’s work.

– Kiara Mack

Glastonbury Festival

Even while abroad, Dolly Parton still knew how to captivate an audience with her classic hits.

In June 2014, Parton drew the largest crowd of her career, with more than 140,000 attendees at the famed British music festival, Glastonbury. Alongside fellow headliners Arcade Fire, Metallica, Lana Del Rey and Ed Sheeran, the icon held the Sunday afternoon “Legends” slot, which is reserved for a new musical “legend” each year. With a wide variety of genres across the lineup, she made sure to highlight the country music spirit. Decked out in an all-white rhinestone-covered outfit, the singer-songwriter performed some of her biggest hits including “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You” and “Coat of Many Colors.”

Parton’s larger-than-life persona and high-energy performances are what many fans loved most about the country superstar. During “Jolene,” staff members were unable to help themselves from dancing in unison to the artist’s famous lyrics. Parton was a trailblazer for many female country singers who would later perform at the festival, including Shania Twain who received the same Sunday “Legends” slot in 2024.

Dolly Parton’s unforgettable Glastonbury performance demonstrates her unshakable ability to unite fans across the globe.

– Kai Echeverria