A Ranking of the Top Female Vocalists in Music History

You think you know Dolly Parton: rhinestones, big hair, country twang. But behind the sparkle is a songwriter so sharp that she penned Jolene and I Will Always Love You on the same day. That’s not a myth—it’s Dolly. Raised in a one-room cabin with twelve siblings, she turned hardship into harmony and wit into wealth. Her voice?

Pure storytelling—half lullaby, half lightning bolt. She’s a singer, a philanthropist, a theme park queen, and a cultural guardian. While the world marveled at her image, Dolly built an empire one syllable at a time. She’s not just country royalty—she’s American folklore.