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The Song That Stole Dolly Parton’s Heart (And It’s Not Her Own!)

“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”

Introduction

Despite creating hundreds of songs throughout her illustrious career spanning decades, Dolly Parton—the undisputed queen of country music—revealed that her favorite tune isn’t even one she wrote herself.

When asked about the song closest to her heart, Dolly surprised fans by looking beyond her own impressive catalog. Instead, she confessed to TODAY, “I always loved the song ‘Sometimes When We Touch’.” This beautiful love ballad, crafted by Dan Hill and Barry Mann in 1973, clearly resonated with the country icon on a profound level.

There’s something wonderfully touching about this choice. The song itself has quite a story—written when Dan Hill was just a 19-year-old caught in the emotional turmoil of a love triangle. Its raw, vulnerable lyrics explore the depths of love and emotional honesty that have touched listeners for generations. Who could forget that heart-wrenching chorus: “I wanna hold you till I die, till we both break down and cry”?

Released in 1977, the song became Dan Hill’s greatest commercial success, climbing to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and capturing hearts worldwide. Its timeless appeal has inspired covers by legendary artists including Rod Stewart, Barry Manilow, and Tina Turner.

Of course, Dolly hasn’t forgotten her own musical children. According to the Express, when it comes to her own creations, “Coat of Many Colors” holds a special place in her heart. Written in 1969 and released in 1971, this deeply personal song tells the story of her mother lovingly sewing her a coat from colorful fabric scraps when the family couldn’t afford new clothes. Though Dolly cherished this handmade treasure, it unfortunately made her a target for bullying from other children.

The song’s significance extends far beyond Dolly’s personal connection—in 2011, it was honored with inclusion in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry for its cultural and historical importance. Throughout her career, Dolly has often shared how this particular song embodies the values and life lessons she gained growing up in the humble surroundings of rural Tennessee.

Isn’t it fascinating how even legendary songwriters like Dolly can find themselves moved by the work of others, just like the rest of us?

Video

Lyrics

You ask me if I love you
And I choke on my reply
I’d rather hurt you, honestly
Than mislead you with a lie
And who am I to judge you
On what you say or do?
I’m only just beginning
To see the real you
And sometimes when we touch
The honesty’s too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you ’til I die
‘Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you
‘Til the fear in me subsides
Romance and all its strategy
Leaves me battling with my pride
But through the insecurity
Some tenderness survives
I’m just another writer
Still trapped within my truth
A hesitant prize fighter
Still trapped within my youth
Sometimes when we touch
The honesty’s too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you ’til I die
‘Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you
‘Til the fear in me subsides
At times I’d like to break you
And drive you to your knees
At times I’d like to break through
And hold you endlessly
At times I understand you
And I know how hard you’ve tried
I’ve watched while love commands you
And I’ve watched love pass you by
At times I think we’re drifters
Still searching for a friend
A brother or a sister
But then the passion flares again
And sometimes when we touch
The honesty’s too much
And I have to close my eyes and hide
I wanna hold you ’til I die
‘Til we both break down and cry
I wanna hold you
‘Til the fear in me subsides

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