Paul McCartney’s opinion on Dolly Parton

One of the most important musicians in the world since the 1960s, Paul McCartney has had the chance to witness countless incredible musicians rise to fame over the decades. Unlike many artists of his generation, he has remained highly aware of what’s happening in the music business and has always been interested in discovering and meeting new songwriters throughout his career. He has shared his opinions on many artists, including musicians from other genres, like the late Dolly Parton.

What is Paul McCartney’s opinion on Dolly Parton

Paul McCartney is a big fan of Dolly Parton and her music, he had the chance to meet her back in the 70s and a few years ago also was part of her final album. After his death in 2026, at the age of 80, he shared a tribute to her and explained why he thinks she was amazing. “The magnificent star Dolly Parton has died and it is so sad. She was such a wonderful woman. I first met her in Nashville at the Grand Ole Opry where she had been playing with the country star Porter Wagoner and was about to start her solo career.”

“She was so bubbly and full of life it is difficult to take in the news that she has passed. Her songwriting, her singing and her philanthropy were unrivaled in the world of Country music. It is hard to imagine living in a world without Dolly. She was a very clever business woman who understood the value of her music and, most importantly, the effect that she had on the people of the world.”

“There was no greater honour for me than to have her sing my song ‘Let It Be’. Even though I only made a small contribution to it, I am so honoured that she did it. I am so proud to have known her and admire her unique talents. Thanks Dolly for the beautiful music you gave me and the whole world. We will always love you, god bless and rest in peace. You were the best,” Paul McCartney said on his social media.

Paul McCartney said that Dolly was fantastic and that whatever she said about music, she was right

As the Beatle said, he was part of the cover Dolly made of “Let It Be” on her final album “Rockstar”, released in 2023. Besides McCartney who played the piano and recorded some vocals, were also part of the track Peter Frampton on guitar, Ringo Starr on drums and Mick Fleetwood on percussion.

In 2021, before recording with Dolly, Paul McCartney was interviewed by Zane Lowe for Apple Music. Lowe told him that Dolly had once said that whenever she walked past a guitar in her house, she would strum it. If the sound resonated with her, she would stop and write a song. When asked if he experienced something similar, Paul said: “It’s very similar. Dolly is fantastic, so she’s gotta be right, whatever Dolly says is right (laughs). I know exactly that feeling, you just go past… Sometimes you just hear something particularly if you play a chord,” Paul McCartney said (Transcribed by Rock and Roll Garage).

Dolly Parton she was very honored to have recorded with Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr

Dolly decided to record the “Rockstar” album after being nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although she had considered making a Rock album before, she initially questioned whether she deserved to be inducted. She eventually embraced the idea and decided to record the album to feel she had earned her place in the Hall of Fame. She sent a “love note” to Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr to invite them to join the incredible, star-studded lineup she had assembled for the album.

“So I just sent them a love note through their managers, and I just said what I was doing. I said, ‘I didn’t want to put you on the spot. But I’d love to have you sing with me on my Rock album. And if you’re interested, call me at this number. All the people I reached out to said, ‘Yes! We’d love to.’ I was very honored and very proud and very humbled by that.”

“Well, does it get any better than singing ‘Let It Be’ with Paul McCartney who wrote the song? Not only that, he played piano! Well, it did get even better when Ringo Starr joined in on drums, Peter Frampton on guitar and Mick Fleetwood playing percussion. I mean, seriously, how much better does it get? Thanks guys! she told NPR in 2025.

“Let it Be” was one of Dolly Parton’s favorite Beatles songs

Dolly had always been a big fan of The Beatles, and “Let It Be” was one of her favorite songs by the British group. She revealed this during the promotion of “Rockstar” and said that Paul McCartney had always been nice to her and told her he was honored to be part of her record. “It’s been one of my favourite Beatles songs ever and I love Paul. So I had recorded it and I thought, ‘wow, I wonder if Paul would even consider playing and singing on it’. And so I contacted him. He was so gracious. I’d met him different times through the years. He’s always so nice and he said he’d be on it and I was so honoured that he was honoured.

“So actually he did a wonderful job. The fact that these people are so busy, and they all took the time to do it. Then I thought, well, we got to have Ringo, because that’s the last of the Beatles! So I asked Ringo if he would do it. Same thing, ‘I’d be glad to do it’,” she said in an interview with Smooth Country Radio.