Dolly Parton has confirmed that she is pausing her songwriting activities following the death of her husband, Carl Dean, earlier this year. The country music artist, known for tracks such as 'Jolene' and 'I Will Always Love You,' disclosed the update during a podcast appearance in July 2025. Despite continuing to perform and taking on new projects, she stated that writing music is currently on hold due to personal circumstances.
In an interview on the Khloé in Wonderland podcast, Parton shared that the loss of her husband in March 2025 has made it difficult for her to complete songs. The couple had been married for nearly 60 years.
'Several things I've wanted to start but I can't do it,' she said. 'I will later, but I'm coming up with such wonderful, beautiful ideas but I think I won't finish it. I can't do it right now.'
Parton explained that while she still experiences inspiration, she is choosing not to engage deeply in songwriting at this time, citing emotional challenges related to grief.
What Her 2025 Songwriting Pause Means
In an interview with The Guardian in November 2024, Parton clarified that she is not retiring from the music industry. She stated she has no plans to withdraw from performing or public appearances. In past interviews, she has also expressed her reluctance to conduct a farewell tour.
She is scheduled to headline a six-night Las Vegas residency titled Dolly: Live in Las Vegas at Caesars Palace in December 2025. According to promotional materials, the shows will include a selection of her classic songs and recent works.
A Look at Dolly Parton's Most Iconic Music
Over the course of her career, Parton has released hundreds of songs and received widespread recognition for her songwriting. Her music spans country, pop, and rock genres and has been recorded by numerous artists globally.
Notable tracks include:
- 'Jolene' (1973): A song about romantic rivalry that became one of her most frequently covered tracks.
- 'I Will Always Love You' (1974): Originally a farewell to her mentor Porter Wagoner, later recorded by Whitney Houston in 1992.
- 'Coat of Many Colours' (1971): A song based on her childhood experiences, highlighting themes of poverty and maternal love.
- '9 to 5' (1980): A track written for the film of the same name, focused on workplace challenges.
- 'If You Hadn't Been There' (2025): A recent tribute to her late husband, released earlier this year.
These songs have contributed to her commercial success and public profile, and continue to be streamed widely across platforms.
Dolly Parton's Future Plans
Parton remains active in multiple professional capacities. In addition to her Las Vegas shows, she continues to support her Imagination Library, a global literacy programme that has distributed millions of books to children.
While she has stated that songwriting is not a current focus, there has been no announcement suggesting a permanent end to her musical output. She has indicated that she may return to writing when the time feels appropriate.
Her current schedule reflects ongoing engagement with her audience through live performance and public initiatives.
