Dolly Parton is finally releasing her rock album.
After it was announced that Dolly was nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, she initially decided to take herself out of consideration, feeling that she hadn’t earned the honor.
But once the Hall of Fame responded that it was too late to take her off the ballot, Dolly changed her mind and accepted the nomination – and decided she would just earn it after being inducted in the Hall’s 2022 class.
The result is a 30-song rock album, Rock Star, coming this fall, featuring collaborations with some of rock and roll’s biggest names including Paul McCartney, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Aerosmith and Elton John.
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But one Rock collaboration in particular is drawing attention and has fans upset – a Kid Rock collaboration, that is.
The album features a song called “Either Or,” which is a collaboration with the ever-polarizing Kid Rock. And it seems that some of Dolly’s fans aren’t happy about her choice to work with him.
Dolly Parton, nooooooo… why are you working with Kid Rock??? He’s literally the exact opposite of you.
— Artizm (@artizm_music) May 10, 2023
Fans are upset that Dolly, who has generally avoided political statements, would collaborate with Kid Rock, who has been outspoken on many political issues including his support for Donald Trump and, most recently, his anger at Bud Light for partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.
Just found out Dolly Parton’s upcoming rock album involves guests like Peter Frampton, Sting, Stevie Nicks, Elton John… and Kid Rock?!?
Dolly, you put the guy who shot Bud Light cans in the same album as Sir Elton John? pic.twitter.com/flGJZrmpTW
— Adam Bednarczyk 🏳️🌈 (@AdamNBednarczyk) May 9, 2023
People were also pointing out that, while Dolly donated a million dollars to Vanderbilt University to fund the development of the COVID vaccine, Kid Rock has spoken out strongly against the vaccine, famously vowing not to play any venue that required masks or vaccines and calling out Dr. Anthony Fauci in his song “We the People.”
Can someone explain to me how Dolly Parton who very famously recently funded research towards a covid vaccine is collaborating with kid rock who dedicated a whole verse of a song to how he thinks covid is bullshit https://t.co/gOer2tFFD6
— lullie (@lulliesuss) May 9, 2023
Needless to say, the decision to collaborate with Kid Rock has proven to be a controversial one, and fans are speaking out about it on social media – with some even calling for Dolly to pull the song from the album, and some claiming they’re done with Dolly altogether.
Respectfully, I think Dolly should pull that Kid Rock track from her album. pic.twitter.com/8u0SXswilQ
— John Paul Keith (@johnpaulkeith) May 15, 2023
Really disappointed to hear Dolly Parton’s new album features a track with Kid Rock.
Disappointed is the wrong word. Broken hearted.— Lucy (@LucyRebelHeart) May 9, 2023
I get that dolly is passionate about donating to charity but did she really have to put kid rock on the album???? I know the man is pathetic and in need of significant help, but mama you don’t need to be responsible for that. https://t.co/sHcght8bFr
— the 5th golden girl (@gaylena13) May 9, 2023
Oh no. Dolly has a collab with Kid Rock on her new album…
— Bee Delores 🎃 (@BeeADelores) May 9, 2023
Why / how did Dolly thinking doing a duet with Kid Rock would be a good thing?
There's still six months until the album comes out… maybe that track will magically vanish by then?
— Noah Michelson (@noahmichelson) May 10, 2023
ugh. dolly parton doing a song with terrifyingly violent transphobe and bigot kid rock is so wildly disappointing. with collaborators on the album, i’m shocked that i haven’t seen much on this or heard anyone speaking out about this. this literally feels like a gut punch.
— kara. (@ohokaykara) May 11, 2023
I know everyone loves dolly Parton but kid rock is going to be on her new album so I'm done with her.
— Leigh Cheri (@figurativeleigh) May 10, 2023
That Dolly Parton rock album was certainly intriguing, and stacked with super stars… but then I saw she has Kid Rock on a track and that album can go right to hell.
— Vince Underwood (@VinceUnderwood) May 11, 2023
An article in The Advocate magazine, which calls itself “Your source for LGBTQ+ news,” called the track a “slap in the face.”
"This is a slap in the face to all of us at a time when we are under assault by haters and state legislatures all over the country, and from someone who should know better," writes John Casey. https://t.co/uL0dgu3Uk7
— The Advocate (@TheAdvocateMag) May 11, 2023
But it’s also not the only song on the album that’s drawing controversy. After releasing the first single from the album, “World on Fire,” many were quick to express their outrage with one line in the song in particular:
“I don’t know what to think about us
When did we lose “In God we trust?”
God almighty, what we gonna do?
If God ain’t listenin’ and we’re deaf too”
Very disappointed in the new Dolly. Very disappointed that certain queer friends are talking about how moving it is, etc. In the first 30 seconds she sings
"When did we lose In God We Trust? / God almighty, what we gonna do / If God ain't listening and we're deaf too?"
— J Fulton 🏳️🌈 (@mostlyprose) May 12, 2023
Seems like Dolly hasn’t even released the album and she’s already stirring up the controversy – and honestly, what’s more rock and roll than that?
