Dolly Parton’s first posthumous song has been released, just two weeks after her death.
The track, Born To Ride, features Parton’s vocals alongside the bluegrass group First Ladies of Bluegrass. Parton recorded the cover song four years ago during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, per Rolling Stone.
The song came out Wednesday and will be included on an upcoming tribute album honouring the Stanley Brothers, set for release next week. In her recording, Parton introduces each member of the band before their individual instrumental solos.
Producer Garry West told the same outlet that Parton exceeded expectations with her contribution, saying the team was thrilled with what she delivered.
“We didn’t know what we would get back, and she really did over-deliver,” West told the outlet. “We were shocked. We couldn’t have gotten anything better.”
The tribute album also features a lineup of major country and bluegrass artists, including Willie Nelson, Billy Strings, Dierks Bentley, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, among others.
Parton died on August 25 at age 80, and tributes from fans and fellow artists have continued in the weeks since.
Her official Instagram account recently shared a comforting lyric from her 1977 song Light of a Clear Blue Morning, accompanied by a blue butterfly emoji, a symbol closely associated with the singer.
Parton’s death followed a brief battle with cancer, according to her representatives, though the specific type wasn’t disclosed.
She had been hospitalised on August 21 at Vanderbilt University Medical Center for autoimmune and kidney issues.
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