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Target's $18 Dolly Parton T-Shirt Honors the Iconic Country Music Star
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Losing someone you love is never easy. Whether it’s someone you were close to, a person you looked up to or someone you never met but felt an unexplained connection to, losing them always takes time to recover from.
With the recent loss of Dolly Parton, country music fans worldwide undoubtedly have heavier hearts than usual. And while you can’t just turn off your emotions to make yourself feel better, a little retail therapy never hurts. Enter: Target and the Dolly Parton Guitar Portrait Short Sleeve T-Shirt, a stylish $18 find that serves as a fitting way to memorialize the woman who inspired generations of fans.
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Dolly Parton Men’s Guitar Portrait Short Sleeve T-Shirt, $17.99 at Target Shop It!Normally priced at $29.99, there’s no better time than now to snatch up the Dolly Parton Guitar Portrait Short Sleeve T-Shirt. Available in a versatile navy blue colorway, it features a classic cut and a black-and-white portrait of Parton with her acoustic guitar, framed by her name printed in bold lettering and “Pigeon Forge, TN” printed in cursive underneath.
Designed to be worn casually around the house, while running errands, at your next country music show and more, it works with just about anybody’s personal style, though even better with a good pair of denim, boots and a cowboy hat. Even better, its charming design and soft, comfortable cotton fabric make it just as suitable for everyday wear as for special occasions.
Related: Old Navy’s Relaxed Men’s Staple Brings ’90s Style With a Hint of Grunge
At the moment, Dolly Parton fans have yet to catch on to its existence online, as sizes from small through XXXL are still in stock, depending on the region. And with its current 40 percent discount, it almost feels like a crime not to snag one if you’re truly a fan of her music. It also makes for an excellent gift for a country music-loving friend or family member, giving you all the more reason to grab a spare along with one for yourself.
If you are eyeing it up, keep in mind that Target notes customers have said this shirt fits a little small, so you may want to consider sizing up if you prefer a roomier fit or something closer to true to size. And remember, its 100 percent cotton construction means it may shrink in the wash, so stick to the cold cycle and hang dry or tumble dry on low. Otherwise, put on your favorite Dolly Parton track and rock this beautiful T-shirt with pride.
Looking for more ways to upgrade your wardrobe? Check out Uniqlo’s stylish Wide Sweatpants and Old Navy’s fall-ready Denim Coach Jacket.
1991 Hit, Written by a 23-Year-Old Kurt Cobain, Ranked Among the 'Most Depressing Rock Songs Ever'
The grunge band Nirvana produced their fair share of less-than-cheery tunes. For instance, one of the band’s biggest hits, “Something in the Way,” off their celebrated 1991 album, Nevermind, was included on Far Out magazine’s list of “the 10 most depressing rock songs ever.” The 3 minute-and-52-second track, penned by Kurt Cobain, took home the ranking’s third spot, with the publication noting that the song’s lyrics paint a rather bleak picture of a person with very limited means.
The Far Out magazine list also included songs like Eric Clapton‘s “Tears in Heaven” from 1992, 1977’s “Songbird” by Fleetwood Mac, and Led Zeppelin‘s “All My Love,” released in 1979, with Johnny Cash‘s 2002 cover of “Hurt” being named the “most depressing rock song ever.”
‘Nevermind’ Producer Butch Vig Spoke About Making ‘Something in the Way’ in a 2021 InterviewIn a 2021 interview with NME, Butch Vig, the producer of Nevermind, said that “Something in the Way” “was the hardest song to do by far” while making the record, which also included tracks like “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” “Come as You Are,” and “Polly.”
“The other songs we tracked pretty quick – once we were set up, had the sounds and everything, they nailed everything in one or two, three takes tops,” said the producer, now 71, in the NME interview.
He explained that they “tried doing ‘Something In The Way’ out in the studio and it just didn’t work.”
“[T]he drums were too big and loud. Kurt tried an electric guitar, he couldn’t play it on acoustic [at Sound City Studios in Van Nuys, California] because the room was just too loud,” continued Vig. “So out of frustration he came into the control room and started playing it on the couch. And I said, ‘Hold on, let’s just record it right here’. So I kicked everybody out of the control room, brought a mic in, turned the fans off and unplugged the phone and we recorded him on acoustic guitar there and then, and built the song from it.”
He then said the band eventually “moved from the big studio into the small studio,” where he “had to go back and overdub Krist [Novoselic] and Dave [Grohl],” which proved to be difficult for the bass player and drummer.
“[T]hat was hard because they were used to all play together and now they had to play to this real mellow acoustic [track],” said the producer in the 2021 interview. “We drove Dave real crazy because he’d start playing and immediately it would start getting louder, I’d go ‘You have to play it quiet!’ [but] Dave can’t help himself. He played it great every time but it was always getting louder and louder. After five or six takes he finally nailed one that had a really good dynamic to it.”
In addition, Vig theorized that “Something in the Way” was much more personal to Cobain, who died by suicide in 1994 at the age of 27, than some listeners may expect.
“Kurt’s very much writing about himself. He could be the guy under the bridge [in the lyrics],” said Vig.
1994 No. 1 Country Classic, Written by Alan Jackson, Is Still a Powerful Generational Hit 32 Years Later
It was 32 years ago, on Aug. 29, 1994, that Alan Jackson released “Livin’ on Love.” The tune appears as the second track from the country icon’s fourth studio album, Who I Am.
Jackson is the sole writer behind “Livin’ on Love,” and according to American Songwriter, it’s easy to assume the lyrics are a reflection of his personal life and love story. The Newnan, Georgia native, who shares three daughters with his wife, Denise, relocated to Nashville years ago so he could chase his dream.
RELATED: 2007 Tim McGraw Song, Never a No. 1, Written by Chris Stapleton — Now Reimagined by Lainey Wilson
While Jackson went on to become one of the biggest stars in country music, he and Denise made plenty of sacrifices before he found fame. In fact, he worked in the mailroom at the now-defunct network TNN, while she was a flight attendant.
Similarly, “Livin’ on Love” captures true love shared between two young individuals “without a thing,” as the lyrics say. In the song, the lovebirds grow old together and watch their children grow up and become empty nesters, and though their age slows them down, they continue to prove that love is all they need to get through a life worth living.
Featuring a simple, toe-tapping melody and the Neo-Traditional sound that Jackson is known for, “Livin’ on Love” has remained popular through the years, decades after its initial release. “Livin’ on Love” was a major hit, reaching the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in October of 1994. The track also was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 chart.
The country classic served as Jackson’s ninth chart-topper, following previous No. 1 hits, “I’d Love You All Over Again,” “Don’t Rock the Jukebox,” “Someday,” “Dallas,” “Love’s Got a Hold on You,” “She’s Got the Rhythm (And I Got the Blues),” “Chattahoochee,” and “Summertime Blues.”
Aside from “Livin’ On Love,” Who I Am spawned four additional singles, which were “Summertime Blues,” “Song for the Life,” “I Don’t Even Know Your Name,” and “Gone Country.”
1976 Dolly Parton Performance Was the Rare Time She Sang on TV With Both Parents
By 1976, Dolly Parton was becoming much more than a country music star. She was stepping into the mainstream with her own nationally syndicated variety show, surrounded by some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. But in one especially memorable family-focused episode of Dolly!, Parton did something that felt completely different from the glitzy world she was quickly entering: She invited her parents and siblings onto the stage to sing an old Appalachian folk song. The resulting performance of “In the Pines” is raw, intimate and wonderfully unpolished, offering a rare glimpse of the family harmonies and mountain music that helped shape Dolly Parton long before the world knew her name.
Dolly Parton Sang With Her Family on Dolly! @ginia1964Dolly Parton singing with her parents… she was such a beautiful soul. The world is now dimmer without her in it. We will always love you, Dolly Parton for who you were and always will be. 🥹 #dollyparton #dolly #love #gonetoosoon💔💔💔 @Dolly Parton 🫶🏽🥹😢
♬ original sound – ginia64The Dolly! episode devoted to the Parton family aired during its 1976–77 season. The episode featured Dolly’s parents, Robert Lee and Avie Lee Parton, in a rare on-screen appearance, alongside seven of Dolly’s siblings. The family performed several songs together, including “Old Black Kettle,” “In the Sweet By-and-By” and “In the Pines.”
This wasn’t Dolly bringing her family onstage for a sentimental look into her childhood. This performance captures Dolly Parton surrounded by the people who knew her before the rhinestones and high heels, when she was just Dolly, passing time singing with her family on the porch.
The song choice tapped into Parton’s Smoky Mountain roots. Dolly had grown up singing old mountain songs with her family, and she introduced the performance by recalling times when the family would gather together at home and sing.
The performance is unpolished, unfiltered and totally Dolly—charming, authentic and musically stunning. Instead of bringing her family onstage for a massive, Hollywood-style production number, the performance feels like an extension of the music-making she experienced as a child, giving fans a genuine snapshot of the people and the songs that shaped Dolly Parton into the performer the world would come to know and adore.
Dolly’s father jokes with her. Her mother harmonizes with her. Her siblings join in. In this moment, Dolly Parton seems less like a global country icon and more like a daughter sitting among her family.
The Parton Family Harmonies Were the Real Star @leslieb1977Dolly watching her parents on video 🥹 #dollyparton #familystorytime #fypシ
♬ original sound – LesInstead of making herself the star of the family’s performance, Dolly showcases the real star—the harmonies.
The Partons’ voices blend together with the kind of seamlessness that comes from performing together since childhood. Avie Lee and Robert Lee weren’t polished performers. This performance feels authentic and memorable because it doesn’t appear overproduced or manufactured.
It’s as if Dolly Parton brought her fans home to the Smoky Mountains and her family started singing.
Dolly Parton Never Lost Her Roots @adamnicholas84Dolly With Her Mom & Dad! #dollyparton #homeforchristmas #stellaparton #dolly #dollywood #countrymusic #country #queen #icon #happyholidays #holiday #holidaytiktok #queenofcountrymusic #holidayseason #makeup @Dolly Parton #90s #tistheseason #pigeonforge #tennessee #home #retrochristmas #1990s #fyp #momanddad
♬ original sound – adamnicholas84That authenticity and connection to her roots was part of what made Dolly Parton such a beloved performer and enduring celebrity. Even as she became a crossover sensation, Dolly Parton was proud of her upbringing and never shied away from showcasing her family despite her fame.
Even at a time when Dolly Parton was breaking out of country music and becoming a crossover superstar, she always celebrated her upbringing in rural Tennessee. Her stories of life with 11 siblings, growing up in a one-room house in the mountains of Tennessee, became part of Dolly Parton’s mythology.
No matter how famous she became, she always celebrated where she came from and proudly shared the stage with the people who raised her.
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1982 Soft Rock Song by the Prince of Motown Is Still a Powerful Hit 44 Years Later
Marvin Gaye’s 1982 hit “Sexual Healing” remains one of his most recognized songs 44 years after its release, standing as a major comeback moment for the legendary singer and songwriter.
The song was ranked No. 11 on Amazon Music’s list of the 100 Greatest Soft Rock Songs, showing its lasting place among classic soft rock recordings.
Released as the lead single from Gaye’s 1982 album Midnight Love, “Sexual Healing” also became the singer’s biggest-selling single. It reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 after debuting on the chart on Oct. 30, 1982. It peaked on Jan. 29, 1983, and spent 21 weeks on the chart.
The success was even stronger on the R&B chart. “Sexual Healing” reached No. 1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in only four weeks and remained at the top for 10 consecutive weeks. It was later recognized with two Grammy Awards and an American Music Award.
Portrait of Marvin Gaye wearing a hat.Known as the “Prince of Motown,” Gaye had already built a remarkable career before “Sexual Healing” arrived.
His rise began in the 1960s with Motown, where he became known for songs such as “Stubborn Kind of Fellow,” “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” “Ain’t That Peculiar,” and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.” His 1968 version of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” became Motown’s biggest hit of the decade and stayed at No. 1 for seven weeks.
Gaye later pushed beyond the commercial sound expected of him. His 1971 album What’s Going On became a defining work, dealing with war, social problems, and racial justice. He also released the sexually charged albums Let’s Get It On and I Want You, showing the different sides of his music.
By the early 1980s, however, Gaye was facing serious personal and career struggles. He had left Motown after two decades with the label and moved to Europe. In Belgium, he settled in Ostend and began working on new music, according to Classic Motown.
“Sexual Healing” grew from that period.
Writer David Ritz visited Gaye in Ostend while working on Gaye’s autobiography. Ritz saw Gaye’s large collection of pornography and told him he needed “sexual healing.” The phrase eventually became the title and inspiration for the song.
Gaye, Ritz and Odell Brown were credited as the song’s co-writers. Gaye later edited and arranged the lyrics and worked with Brown on the musical composition.
The track became the first single Gaye released after leaving Motown. It was released by Columbia Records in October 1982 as the lead single from Midnight Love.
“Sexual Healing” became a major crossover hit, reaching audiences beyond R&B. It reached the top 10 in seven countries and reached No. 1 in Canada and New Zealand. Worldwide sales eventually passed four million copies.
The song was also named the top-selling R&B single of 1983.
Despite its success, “Sexual Healing” was not always a song Gaye felt strongly connected to.
Gaye had become closely associated with sensual music because of earlier hits such as “Let’s Get It On.” However, he also had a much wider artistic identity, particularly through songs such as “What’s Going On,” “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)” and other socially conscious recordings.
In an interview during his tour supporting Midnight Love, Gaye openly discussed his discomfort with the sexual image attached to him.
“I’m not crazy about my sexual image,” Gaye confessed in an interview while touring in support of the album, according to Far Out Magazine. “I can’t deal with that psychologically, and besides, I never put that particular handle on myself anyway. However I came by it, I came by it legitimately. It’s no fault of mine. Sex sells, and I came out of a situation with Motown where we resigned with CBS, and they were interested in a commercial product.”
He also spoke directly about the song itself.
“As far as ‘Sexual Healing’ is concerned, I’m not overly thrilled with the content,” Gaye added. “I don’t like to advocate sex really, but it sells, so there you are.”
Gaye’s career was cut short in 1984 when he was killed one day before his 45th birthday. His death came roughly 18 months after the release of “Sexual Healing,” making the song his final major hit.
His musical legacy, however, continued to grow.
Gaye was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. He later received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and inductions into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and the NAACP Hall of Fame.
“Sexual Healing” also remained part of that legacy. The song was included among the recordings recognized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as part of its “500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll” list. It was also ranked No. 198 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
For a song born during a difficult period in Gaye’s life, “Sexual Healing” became one of the defining recordings of his career.
Related: 1989 Song by Public Enemy Ranked the Second ‘Greatest Song of All Time’
Late One Direction Icon, With a Solo Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Hit, Would Have Turned 33 Today
Nearly two years after his death, One Direction vocalist Liam Payne would have turned 33 today.
The boy band was formed in 2010 with the help of Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger. During the 2010 season of The X Factor, Payne, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson all auditioned individually before being brought together by Cowell and Scherzinger to form One Direction. The group performed together for nearly six years before announcing an indefinite hiatus in January 2016.
As the band members went their separate ways, Payne launched a successful solo career, releasing his debut single “Strip That Down” in 2017. The song scored a solo top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, launching him into a thriving career. Although the band had moved on, Payne maintained contact with most of his former bandmates and even saw Horan in concert only two weeks before his death.
Payne was at Horan’s concert on Oct. 2, 2024, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, “dancing, waving and cheering,” a fan told People. However, only 14 days later, Payne died after falling from a hotel balcony.
He died shortly after a staff member had called the police, concerned that he was “overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol,” BBC reported on the day of his death.
Payne was pronounced dead at the scene, with police finding his room in “total disorder.” Argentine media published photos, reportedly from his room, showing multiple bottles, a broken TV and a half-full glass of champagne.
On Nov. 7, 2024, the prosecutor’s office said toxicology tests showed traces of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant, BBC reported. They ruled out self-harm or physical intervention by a third party and also ruled out “a conscious or voluntary act,” believing he didn’t know what he was doing.
Scherzinger, who helped form One Direction on The X Factor, said it was “such a blessing” to get to work with him.
“You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you,” Scherzinger said on Instagram. “I will ‘miss you’ my friend and carry you in my heart.”
Payne released five studio albums with One Direction and one solo record during his career. For this reason and many others, we take a moment to remember him today.
Mandy Patinkin Is 73—Watch Him Pull Off This Seriously Impressive Balance Move
Mandy Patinkin may be in his seventies, but he has the balance skills of a teenager.
Patinkin, 73, rose to stardom as a talented theatrical actor. His legendary film roles, like Inigo Montoya in Rob Reiner‘s iconic film The Princess Bride and Avigdor alongside Barbra Streisand in Yentl, solidified his stardom. In recent years, he earned tremendous acclaim for his role as Saul Berenson in Showtime’s hit series, Homeland. But the star just showed off his workout, and his ability to stand on one leg on a BOSU ball is truly impressive. Check out Patinkin’s balance skills below:
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Patinkin Loved The Idea of Human CompostingIn a recent episode of his “Don’t Listen to Us” podcast, Patinkin spoke to Robyn, a woman whose husband wanted to have an environmentally friendly burial. She shared how cremation is actually a toxic process. Patinkin revealed that due to his claustrophobia, he isn’t keen on being put in a coffin.
“I’m very claustrophobic, very claustrophobic, and the idea of being put in a box, knowing that I’m going to be in a box when whatever I’m familiar with is drastically changed is just unacceptable to me. Period. Full stop,” said Patinkin, who added, “Don’t give me any business about, ‘Well, you’re not you, you’re not here, it’s a whole different thing.’ Excuse me. Not OK.”
He also noted that because of his Jewish faith, he cannot be cremated.
“The other idea of being put in an oven is seared into my heritage genetics of the crematorium in Auschwitz, which I’ve visited. I can’t bear the idea of being burned,” he shared.
Check out the fascinating conversation below.
When Robyn shared that her husband followed the plan for human composting, Patinkin was enchanted by the idea. Also known as natural organic reduction, human composting is an eco-friendly burial option where the human body transforms into soil. Patinkin was so taken by the idea that he decided he’d like to do it.
“I can’t deal with the oven and I can’t deal with the box,” Patinkin said. “I love this idea so much because I don’t have to be burned, and I don’t have to be claustrophobic. I’m naturally put in this encasement that you’ve just described. I’m free to go to the Olam Haba, the world beyond, as complete. And then the organic process turns me into, you know, mulch, food, soil. And I’m not in an oven … I just am ecstatic over this.”
Related: Why Mandy Patinkin, 73, Is ‘Ecstatic’ About Choosing Human Composting Instead of Burial
‘Big Brother 28’ Spoilers: Who Was Sent Packing in the Twist — And Who Is the New HoH?
SPOILER ALERT! This article contains events from the Big Brother 28 live feeds that have yet to be aired on the television episodes. Please don’t read ahead if you prefer not to know competition winners and nominees ahead of time.
Big Brother officially entered the quadruple-digit episode count this past week. And, in honor of the occasion, it brought a hefty dose of “expect the unexpected.” A brand-new twist sent the houseguests back to the year 1000, where they underwent an unforgettable night to avoid elimination. But the week isn’t completely abnormal, as after bidding adieu to one of their fellow houseguests, a new HoH was crowned, leading into the official kickoff of the jury phase.
Here’s everything you need to know about this week on Big Brother 28, including Head of Household and veto winners, nominees, and who is likely to go.
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Who went home in the Big Brother 28 twist? Haley Thogmartin Haley Thogmartin on ‘Big Brother 28’Evan Mulling/CBS
This week on Big Brother 28 had the houseguests thrown into a (literal) historic twist, thrust into medieval times to undergo a set of torturous trials. Unfortunately, Haley’s allegedly seven rough weeks culminated in one very rough night, as she was eliminated from the game.
Who is Head of Household on Big Brother 28 this week? Drew Campbell Drew Campbell on ‘Big Brother 28’Evan Mulling/CBS
In a matter of days, Drew has gone from guaranteed boot to winning the Block Buster to becoming the new HoH. And, given the loyalty he showed to the icons by evicting Mallory, it’s assumed the “Crossovers” will continue to be in power for the week.
Who was nominated this week on Big Brother 28?LaTrice Verrett on ‘Big Brother 28’
Evan Mulling/CBS
View the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleLa Trice “Lala” Verrett Taylor Brown Yash Patel
Drew’s nominations come as no surprise. After all, these are the three people he called out specifically for saying they were targeting the icons, something they were all unhappy about. Considering he’s actively working with the rest of the house in some way, his noms wound up being fairly straightforward.
Related: ‘Big Brother 28’ Cast Includes Famous Relatives, Reality Stars and More Unexpected Connections
Who won the Veto this week on Big Brother 28?
Check back on Saturday to find out who won the Power of Veto this week.
Check back on Monday to find out whether the Veto was used this week.
Who will be evicted this week on Big Brother 28?
Check back on Tuesday or Wednesday to find out who will be voted out this week.
First Live Album by Rock Icon to be Released More Than 10 Years After His Tragic Death
Known for his singing in Stone Temple Pilots, Velvet Revolver and as a solo artist, Scott Weiland tragically died from a drug overdose on Dec. 3, 2015, in Bloomington, Minn. while he was on tour with his solo band the Wildabouts.
Weiland was only 48 at the time of his death and had managed to establish himself as a bonafide rock star, first as the frontman of Stone Temple Pilots and later as the singer of the all-star combo Velvet Revolver and as a solo artist.
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Material from all three phases of Weiland’s career are spotlighted on the album Scott Weiland: Live, which will be released digitally on CD, and on limited-edition red vinyl globally for the first time on Oct. 23.
The live set, recorded on his 2009 tour in support of his second solo effort, Happy in Galoshes, was previously released on limited-edition blue vinyl for Record Store Day, which promptly sold out.
The nine-track album offers an overview of Weiland’s career with live renditions of such STP favorites as “Interstate Live Song,” “Vasoline,” and “Unglued,” as well as the Velvet Revolver track “Do It for the Kids,” and the Weiland solo tracks “Paralysis,” Killing Me Sweetly,” “Barbarella,” “Missing Cleveland,” and “Blind Confusion.”
A video of Weiland’s performance of “Interstate Love Song” with his solo band has been released in advance of the album.
The album will be released just days before Weiland’s Oct. 27 birthday. He would have been 59 this year.
Weiland fronted the Stone Temple Pilots from 1989 through 2003 and again from 2008 through 2013 with brothers Dean (guitar) and Robert DeLeo (bass), and Eric Kretz (drums). Between his stints with STP, he served as the lead singer from Velvet Revolver, the supergroup featuring Guns N’ Roses members Slash (lead guitar), Duff McKagan (bass) and Matt Sorum (drums), as well as Dave Kushner (rhythm guitar).
He launched his solo career in 1998 with the release of the album 12 Bar Blues and went on to release three other solo albums, before to his death.
Prior to the release of 12 Bar Blues this writer interviewed Weiland for Billboard. Although he was making his solo debut at the time, he was also looking forward to regrouping with his STP bandmates.
“There will definitely be another Stone Temple Pilots record, and hopefully it will save rock ‘n’ roll at a time when it needs to be saved again,” he said.
He also reflected on the musicians that helped him make 12 Bar Blues and their common struggle. including Porno for Pyros bassist Martyn LeNoble, guitarist Peter DiStefano, and former Samiam drummer Victor Indrizzo, “and a couple of other friends. They’re all people that I have used (drugs) with from time to time or met through rehab,” Weiland said. “All of us are individuals that have been to hell, seen that side, and come back.”
1973 Rock Song, Written by Pete Townshend, Among ‘Greatest Rock Lyrics of All Time’
The classic rock band The Who has plenty of memorable hit songs from its discography, so much so that there are also many under-appreciated gems that fans wish got more attention.
One of these is the band’s song “Cut My Hair,” from the 1973 concept album Quadrophenia. The record is a rock opera about a young working-class man named Jimmy who is down on his luck. Whether it’s work, romance, or just life in general, it never seems to go his way. At the end of the story, it’s unclear what happens to the young man as he thinks about what his life means from a rock in the sea.
Some of the fan-favorite tracks from the album are “Love, Reign O’er Me,” “The Real Me,” and “5:15.” The song “Cut My Hair” is the fourth track on Side 1 and a lesser-known song from the album.
The song is a moment when Jimmy contemplates how much effort he’s putting in to fit in with the trendy Mod culture and how it leads to clashes with his parents. He feels stuck in the middle and doesn’t know if it’s worth the effort anymore.
“Cut My Hair” was spotlighted by Forbes in the publication’s list of the “Greatest Rock Song Lyrics of All Time.” In particular, the lines near the end of the song that read, “Why do I have to move with a crowd/ Of kids that hardly notice I’m around?/ I work myself to death just to fit in,” were called out.
Another great lyrical moment in the song is the lines, “It’s all a game/ And inside I’m just the same.” “Cut My Hair” also wasn’t the only The Who song on the list, as “Behind Blue Eyes” was also mentioned.
Related: 1964 Hit Song, Covered by Bruce Willis, Is Still a Phenomenon 62 Years Later
Fans seem to feel the same way about the artistry of “Cut My Hair,” with people on Reddit declaring it an “under-appreciated masterpiece.”
A fan added, “Musically it’s fascinating, and the news broadcast at the end with the whistling kettle gives me chills every time. Lyrically, it’s some of [Pete] Townshend‘s greatest writing. Every line is just expert storytelling.”
In a retrospective review of the album, Billboard also pointed out the ending broadcast and whistling kettle, saying that is “telling us that Jimmy’s listening to this at home in the kitchen.” The publication noted that “Townshend deliberately fashioned a quasi-soundtrack this time by the use of the sound effects and other transitions.”
Along with The Who, other artists included on the list highlighting great rock lyrics were Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne, and Bob Dylan, among other well-known songwriters.
Related: 1984 Folk-Rock Song, Written by Leonard Cohen, Among ‘Greatest Rock Lyrics of All Time’
1971 Hit, Written by Bernie Taupin, Ranked Among 'Greatest' Soft Rock Songs of All Time
Some songs are immediate hits. Others take the long road to the top.
Such is the case with Elton John’s tender and epic 1971 ballad “Tiny Dancer,” a song that somehow failed to crack the Top 40 upon its original release but has since become one of the legendary singer-songwriter’s most cherished recordings.
Written by John and his longtime songwriting partner Bernie Taupin, “Tiny Dancer” opens John’s fourth studio album, Madman Across the Water. As is customary in their extraordinary now nearly 60-year partnership, Taupin supplied the lyrics while John composed the music, transforming Taupin’s evocative images of life and love in LA into a soaring six-minute ballad.
Taupin was inspired to write “Tiny Dancer” upon his first trip to America in 1970. In a rare video chronicling the creation of the song, John mentions off-handedly that Taupin wrote the song about his then girlfriend, Maxine Feibelman, who was indeed ‘a seamstress for the band.’ However Taupin goes into greater depth in a later interview with Rolling Stone.
“We came to California in the fall of 1970 and it seemed like sunshine just radiated from the populace,” he says. “I guess I was trying to capture the spirit of that time, encapsulated by the women we met, especially at the clothes stores and restaurants and bars all up and down the Sunset Strip. They were these free spirits, sexy, all hip-huggers and lacy blouses, very ethereal the way they moved.”
Released as a U.S. single in February 1972, “Tiny Dancer” reached just No. 41 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 35 on the Adult Contemporary chart. It performed better elsewhere, climbing to No. 19 in Canada and No. 13 in Australia.
In hindsight, it’s hard to imagine a song of this stature having struggled in the beginning, but the radio edit explains it.
It turns out paring down the 6-minute ballad to a digestible 3:45 for single play did “Tiny Dancer” a great disservice. Truncating the organic build of the musical masterpiece seemed to detracted from its overall impact at the time. Luckily, in the mid-1970’s, album-oriented radio stations (AOR) started playing “Tiny Dancer” in all of its 6 minute and 12 second glory, and the recognition began.
But “Tiny Dancer”‘s biggest moment had yet to arrive.
Nearly three decades later, director Cameron Crowe gave the song an unforgettable second life in his acclaimed 2000 film Almost Famous.
During one of the movie’s most memorable scenes, the musicians and their entourage, still raw from an inter-band brawl the night before, are all piled in a stoned silent sun-strewn tour bus. However as “Tiny Dancer” plays, the drummer starts playing along with his sticks, and it’s infectious. Each person on the bus joins in singing until the whole bus is alive with the simple joy that only a perfect song can illicit.
In this cinematic moment “Tiny Dancer” is transformed into an anthem of reconciliation, belonging, and the particular intimacy of life on the road. Crowe later called the song the “soul” of the movie, and even John himself developed a new and profound appreciation for it.
“I didn’t really pay that much attention to that song until it was brought back by that movie, which I’m forever grateful to Cameron for,” he said in a later interview. “I just love that song so much. Of all the songs I’ve written, that’s the best song.”
Its popularity has only grown since then.
No one cares, or remembers, that “Tiny Dancer” didn’t get its initial due, the song is universally loved. It’s been covered or performed by an eclectic slew of artists, including Ben Folds, Tim McGraw, Red Hot Chili Peppers with guitarist John Frusciante on vocals, and Florence + the Machine. John has famously (and generously) performed his masterpiece with Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Taron Egerton, and others.
Since Almost Famous, “Tiny Dancer” has also made an appearance in other films, including the 1975 drama Aloha, Bobby and Rose, but its enduring cultural presence has extended far beyond the movies.
More than five decades after John sat down at the piano and gave Taupin’s words a melody, Amazon Music ranks “Tiny Dancer” among its 100 Greatest Soft Rock Songs of all time.
The rest of the world caught on long ago.
An Award-Winning Behavioral Scientist Just Revealed the Key To Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Have you ever looked around the room you were in and felt as if you didn’t belong? Maybe it only lasted a minute, or maybe it lingered for hours, days or even became a regular feeling every day for months at a time. In those quick moments or larger circumstances, you could be experiencing imposter syndrome.
It could be in a workplace or friend group, on a Zoom call, as part of a volunteer organization or exercise class—there are endless opportunities for certain fears about fitting in, as well as doubts about your self-worth, to creep in. It’s a relatable feeling, but that doesn’t mean we should simply accept it and let self-imposed insecurities, unfair dynamics or toxic cultures lead the way.
Patricia Faison Hewlin, PhD, award-winning behavioral scientist and author of the new book Staying True to You: Unlock the Power of Your Middle Self and Live with Confidence, Integrity, and Peace of Mind (released on August 25), wants to empower individuals to learn more about the common causes of imposter syndrome, and work to dismantle this fear of failure from within, building resilience at the same time.
Here, Dr. Hewlin reveals the key to ending imposter syndrome, as well as why it’s important for individuals and groups alike to find, cultivate and embrace supportive spaces.
Related: Why ‘Just Be Yourself’ Is Actually Terrible Advice, According to a Behavioral Scientist
What Is Imposter Syndrome, Exactly?So, what is imposter syndrome, and why does it affect so many people?
“When people experience imposter syndrome, they feel as if they are a ‘fraud’ who will eventually be found out,” Dr. Hewlin tells Parade. “There are a number of studies that show that most people, at some point in their lives, will experience it, and if you hold an identity that is commonly marginalized, you will experience it more often and more intensely.”
Related: Color Psychologist Says These 5 Colors Are Worn Most by ‘Mentally Strong’ Women
2 Common Causes of Imposter SyndromeFeeling like a fraud can have plenty of different origins, but there are a couple of causes that are especially common.
As Dr. Hewlin explains, “There are several avenues that open the door to imposter syndrome, and I’ll mention two:”
1. Impostorization“The first avenue is what organizational behavior scholar Dr. Angélica Gutiérrez points out as ‘impostorization,’ where the work culture and its leaders cause people to question their intelligence and belonging,” Dr. Hewlin tells Parade. “Unfairness, favoritism and exclusionary practices are toxic dynamics within a work culture that can fuel imposter syndrome.”
2. Perfectionism“The second avenue is perfectionism to the point that it is impossible to achieve an end goal because the standard is too high,” she says. “It is easy to fall prey to imposter syndrome with that mindset because it causes people to feel that they can never reach a point where their skills and abilities meet the expectations of the job.”
And this can lead to making different choices than they normally would.
“When people feel like an imposter, they may try to cope by creating facades of conformity, suppressing their true values and putting on a mask to hide their feelings of inadequacy,” Dr. Hewlin continues.
Related: 35 Simple Phrases to Combat Imposter Syndrome as Soon as It Strikes, According to a Psychoanalyst
The Key To Overcoming Imposter Syndrome, Behavioral Scientist ExplainsThe good news? You don’t have to be stuck feeling like an imposter forever. There’s a way out.
Dr. Hewlin tells Parade, “Ending imposter syndrome requires companies to stop ‘impostorizing’ their people, while as individuals, we need to step into our middle self by anchoring ourselves in personal integrity, which is the wholeness that comes from removing the gap between who we really are and who we pretend to be.”
She points to her framework for the middle self, as “it gives us tools for identifying what’s most important to us and leveraging those values to cultivate the well-being and peace of mind needed to bring our empowered selves into any environment. The framework teaches us to use introspection and discernment to step back and spot the difference between self-doubt coming from perfectionism or from being ‘impostorized’ by an unsupportive environment.”
Related: People Who Never Felt Validated as Kids Often Develop These 11 Traits as Adults, Psychologists Say
That self-awareness is essential.
“When we realize a toxic work culture is triggering our insecurity, we can begin to identify whether the imposter syndrome is primarily coming from the environment or ourselves,” Dr. Hewlin explains. “The framework also helps us see the importance of temperance—pacing ourselves and regulating the urge to over-conform just to prove our worth and fit in.”
It also helps to lean into your community, or as Dr. Hewlin calls it, our “Circle of Champions.”
“These are people who truly have our backs and will give us the feedback and support needed to help us move from fear to genuine confidence and peace of mind,” she says.
Up Next:
Related: Color Psychologist Says Wearing This Color Makes You Appear Instantly More Confident
Source:Matthew Scott, YellowBelly Photo Ltd
- Patricia Faison Hewlin, PhD, award-winning behavioral scientist and author of Staying True to You: Unlock the Power of Your Middle Self and Live with Confidence, Integrity, and Peace of Mind.
I Ranked 9 Hungry-Man Frozen Dinners From Worst to Best—and the Winner Won by a Landslide
As adults, we often find ourselves stuck in an endless cycle of asking “What’s for dinner?” Whether you’re cooking for one or have a big family at home, figuring out what to put on the table each night can get tedious. On nights where you don’t feel like cooking but still want something hearty, frozen meals are a quick and easy alternative. But let’s be honest, they’re often hit or miss.
Over time, plenty of frozen meal brands have come and gone, but one has remained a mainstay in the grocery store freezer aisle: Hungry-Man. Parade was curious to know why the brand has such staying power, so we decided to put a few of their frozen meals to the test.
While growing up, my family occasionally ate different frozen meals from various brands, but it’s been decades since I popped a frozen meal into the microwave, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. Since I cook a lot, I was also curious to see how Hungry-Man’s meals would taste to my adult palate and how they’d compare to a home cooked meal.
Before getting started, I grabbed my own resident hungry man (my hubby) and asked him to help me test nine different Hungry-Man meals and rank them. Here’s how it went.
Related: I Tried 9 Canned Pastas, and Ranked Them Worst To Best
What Are Hungry-Man Frozen Dinners?Hungry-Man is a Conagra brand (which also has brands like Duncan Hines, Slim Jim, Swiss Miss, etc.) that sells a variety of frozen meals.
The brand’s website offers the following description of its products: “Our flavor-packed freezer meals are conveniently ready in minutes, making them a go-to weeknight dinner solution or quick lunch option. With a variety of entrées and sides, there’s a Hungry-Man meal for every craving.”
Related: I Tried 12 Frozen Burgers and Ranked Them Worst To Best
Courtesy Chrissy Callahan
How I Chose the Hungry-Man Frozen DinnersHungry-Man’s website lists two variety of meals with the following descriptions:
- Hungry-Man Dinners: “Dig into one of our quick dinner options with easy and convenient prep in the microwave or conventional oven.”
- Hungry-Man Selects: “Take convenience meals up a notch. Our select line features choice ingredients, lots of protein, and classic homestyle flavor.”
There are 13 Hungry-Man Dinners and four Hungry-Man Selects meals listed on the brand’s website. One of the meals I tested isn’t listed on the website but was available at my local grocery store.
For this article, I selected one Hungry-Man Selects meal and eight Hungry-Man Dinners in a variety of flavors.
Related: I Tried Every Item on Pizza Hut’s New Throwback Value Menu (Starting at $3)—Here’s How They Rank
Methodology: How I Tested ThemHungry-Man meals can be cooked in one of two ways: in the microwave or in the oven.
Since it takes a lot longer to cook them in the oven and most people opt for the microwave option when they’re in a rush, I cooked each of them in the microwave. I followed the cooking instructions for each meal, making sure to peel back the plastic film and stir the ingredients when necessary.
In the photos below, you’ll notice that the brownies were removed from the meals. That’s because the instructions call for removing the brownie after the first round of cooking then putting the meal back in for more time.
All of the Hungry-Man meals I tested included mashed potatoes, some form of veggies and a sweet treat: either a brownie or an apple dessert. For ease of reading, I’ve described the mashed potatoes, veggies and desserts once below rather than repeating the description in each review.
Related: 7 Keto Pasta Brands, Ranked Worst to Best
9 Hungry-Man Frozen Dinners, Ranked From Worst To BestHere’s my honest ranking of these nine popular frozen meals from Hungry-Man.
9. Hungry-Man Select Spicy Classic Fried ChickenChrissy Callahan
How the brand describes it: “A spicy take on a comfort food favorite, this Hungry-Man Selects Spicy Classic Fried Chicken Dinner is sure to become a favorite. Featuring spicy dark meat chicken portions, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and an apple dessert, it makes a quick dinner solution when prepared in the microwave.”
My experience: This was the first meal I tested and it was my least favorite. The chicken has a mild spice to it, but it’s dry and difficult to cut. Honestly, you’re better off eating it with your hands.
The mashed potatoes are smooth and buttery, but the veggies are a bit rubbery. While trying the apple dessert, my husband said it has the same consistency of a caramel apple empanada from Taco Bell. We both preferred the brownies to this sweet treat, but the apple dessert does have a nice scent and it’s a good option if you’re a fan of fruit desserts.
Related: I Tried 14 Frozen Chicken Tenders and Ranked Them Worst to Best
8. Hungry-Man Beer Battered ChickenChrissy Callahan
How the brand describes it: “Featuring golden beer battered white meat chicken-strip-shaped patties, savory mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and a rich chocolate brownie dessert, this ready-to-cook meal is ready in minutes in your microwave.”
My experience: This chicken has a similar consistency to the popcorn chicken (later in the list), but the popcorn chicken’s breading has a nicer flavor. It’s also more bite-sized than this chicken.
The brownie was the best part of this meal. It has a nice chocolatey flavor and is soft. My husband described it as having the same consistency as a Cosmic Brownie from Little Debbie.
7. Hungry-Man Honey Bourbon ChickenChrissy Callahan
How the brand describes it: “Enjoy a complete frozen meal featuring fried white meat chicken-strip-shaped patties served with honey bourbon dipping sauce, mashed potatoes and corn side dishes. With 18 grams of protein per serving, this frozen food offers a classic homestyle flavor for satisfying frozen entrees that are ready to eat anytime hunger strikes.”
My experience: The breading on this chicken tasted overly moist. It might taste a bit different in the oven, but when heated up in the microwave, it was a bit water-logged. The sauce added a nice dose of flavor, though.
Related: I Tried Every Olive Garden Soup and Ranked Them Worst To Best
6. Hungry-Man Boneless Pork Rib Shaped PattiesChrissy Callahan
How the brand describes it: “Dig into an easy dinner featuring tender rib-shaped pork patties glazed with barbeque sauce, savory mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and a rich chocolate brownie dessert.”
My experience: The barbecue sauce makes this entire meal. It’s slightly sweet with a mild heat, and dresses up everything. The boneless pork is moist, hearty and filling.
5. Hungry-Man Country Fried ChickenChrissy Callahan
How the brand describes it: “This quick dinner solution features breaded white meat chicken patties with gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and an apple dessert. Enjoy delicious microwave fried chicken in minutes.”
My experience: This meal’s gravy has a slight spice and is ultra creamy. The breaded chicken is a bit soggy since there’s a generous amount of gravy on top of it. It would be better if cooked on the side so it doesn’t absorb as much liquid.
4. Hungry-Man Southern Fried Popcorn ChickenChrissy Callahan
How the brand describes it: “Enjoy this deliciously easy dinner featuring zesty Southern fried popcorn-shaped breaded white meat chicken patties, home-style mashed potatoes, sweet corn, and a brownie dessert”.
My experience: The bite-sized popcorn chicken in this meal is soft and has a nice flavor thanks to the breading. It heats up well, even in the microwave, and doesn’t taste dry or freezer-burned. I suspect that it would taste even better when cooked in the oven.
Related: I Tried 8 Pure Leaf Tea Iced Flavors—Here’s the One I’d Buy Again
3. Hungry-Man Smokin’ Backyard BarbequeChrissy Callahan
How the brand describes it: “This easy-to-prepare frozen dinner features a grilled, glazed chicken patty and a rib-shaped pork patty in a smoky chipotle barbeque sauce, home-style mashed potatoes, sweet corn, and a rich chocolate brownie dessert.”
My experience: My first impression of this meal was the chicken, which was very easy to cut into and has a nice flavor, thanks to the BBQ sauce. The pork has a firm bite and mixes well with the sauce, which gives it a subtle spice.
It was good for a frozen meal, but definitely didn’t taste like the real deal that you’d prepare for yourself. Still, the chicken pushed this meal into one of the top spots on our list.
2. Hungry-Man Homestyle MeatloafChrissy Callahan
How the brand describes it: “Featuring home-style meatloaf with savory brown gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, and a rich chocolate brownie dessert, this quick dinner option is ready in minutes in the microwave.”
My experience: Similar to the Salisbury Steak meal (next on the list), the meatloaf is soft and easy to cut into. The gravy also adds a nice amount of flavor.
One thing to note: Since the mashed potatoes are located underneath the meat, it cooks inconsistently, so be extra careful to give it a good stir after the first round of cooking.
1. Hungry-Man Salisbury SteakChrissy Callahan
How the brand describes it: “Experience classic homestyle flavors with a Hungry-Man Salisbury Steak Dinner. Featuring Salisbury steak in homestyle mushroom and onion gravy, creamy mashed potatoes, green beans, and a rich chocolate brownie dessert, this microwave meal makes a quick dinner option for busy weeknights.”
My experience: Out of all the Hungry-Man meals I tested, this was by far the best. The steak was melt-in-your-mouth soft and the savory sauce added the perfect amount of flavor. It’s not a high-end steak at a fancy restaurant, but it does have a nice taste.
My husband and I never buy frozen meals but my husband said he would definitely buy this one again.
More Parade Rankings:
- I Tried 19 Frozen Pizzas—And the Winner Is a New Find
- I Tried 8 Frozen Meatball Brands To Find the Best—and the Winner Surprised Me
- We Ranked 10 Brands of Frozen Fries, and You Can Buy the Winner at Target
- I Tried 10 Frozen Chicken Pot Pies and Ranked Them Worst to Best
- I Tried 12 Frozen Lasagnas To Find the Best
After heating up nine Hungry-Man meals in the microwave, my biggest piece of advice would be to cook them in the oven.
Microwaves have a tendency of heating food unevenly at times, and I found that to be true, particularly with the mashed potatoes in the meals when it was placed underneath the meat. The brownies, which were honestly delightful, also cooked inconsistently for a few of the meals and had crispy edges on some and soft edges on the others.
Personally, I’m always going to prefer cooking my own meals, so it’s not likely that I’d suddenly become a frozen meal convert (for this or any other brand). But I can definitely see the appeal of a quick and easy dinner if you’re in a time crunch.
Up Next:
Related: I Tried 22 Cheesecake Factory Appetizers—Here Are 6 Faves and 7 To Skip
1970 Hit by Free Ranked Among 'Greatest Classic Rock Songs' of All Time
Free’s 1970 hit “All Right Now” has earned another place in classic rock history after being ranked No. 74 on Amazon Music’s “100 Greatest Classic Rock Songs” list.
The song, released by the English rock band Free on its third studio album, Fire and Water, remains one of the group’s best-known recordings. The ranking recognizes “All Right Now” alongside other major songs from the classic rock era.
Released as the second single from Fire and Water in 1970, “All Right Now” became Free’s biggest commercial success. It reached No. 2 on the U.K. Singles Chart and No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.
Group portrait of British rock band Free backstage in 1972.Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images
The success of “All Right Now” helped change Free’s career. Before Fire and Water, the band was better known for its live shows and constant touring than for strong album sales.
The song helped push Free into a much bigger spotlight. Its success also helped secure the band a place at the 1970 Isle of Wight Festival, where Free performed before a crowd of about 600,000 people, per Far Out Magazine.
Free was formed in London in 1968 by Paul Rodgers, Paul Kossoff, Andy Fraser and Simon Kirke. The group became known for its blues rock sound and powerful live performances.
“All Right Now” was written by Fraser and Rodgers. According to Kirke, the song came from a disappointing show in the north of England.
The drummer recalled that the band had finished playing to a poor response and realized they needed a song that could bring more energy to their live shows.
“We were at this university in the north of England, and we came off to the stage,” Kirke recalled, according to Ultimate Classic Rock, “and we get to the dressing room, and we said, ‘Fuck, we need a song that people can dance to.’”
Fraser then came up with the song’s title phrase and began developing the idea. Rodgers worked with him to complete the song.
He said the band had played to a very small and uninterested crowd. Back in the dressing room, he began singing “All right now…come on baby, all right now,” while the others joined in.
According to Kirke, the basic song came together very quickly. Fraser and Rodgers then continued working on it and tested it during live performances.
Rodgers has also spoken about the ease with which the song came together.
“When I started writing ‘All Right Now’, the lyrics and the melody flowed easily. It felt special, and it’s still special to me and the fans. It’s a ‘must play’ in my solo set,” Fraser said, per Far Out Magazine.
That connection has lasted for decades. Rodgers later said that the song still has a strong connection with audiences and that he intended to keep performing it.
The track also became known for its memorable guitar riff. Fraser said the guitar part was influenced by Pete Townshend, while the band also drew inspiration from artists and sounds including The Beatles, Stax, Motown and Gladys Knight and The Pips.
The band released “The Stealer” as a follow-up, but it did not achieve the same chart success. Free briefly took a break before returning in 1971. The band later split and reunited several times before finally disbanding in 1973.
Even after its original run, “All Right Now” continued to have a strong life on radio. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers recognized it in 1990 after it accumulated more than one million radio plays in the United States by late 1989.
In 2006, the BMI London Awards recognized the song with a Million Air Award for reaching three million air plays in the U.S.
The track has also been recorded by other performers, including Mike Oldfield, Rod Stewart, Pepsi & Shirlie, Witch Queen and GNR. A version arranged by the Stanford Band became the de facto fight song of Stanford University athletic teams.
Free’s legacy has continued beyond “All Right Now.” The band sold more than 20 million records worldwide before its breakup and performed at more than 700 arenas and festival concerts
Related: 1978 Classic Rock Song by Van Halen Ranked Among ‘Greatest’ of All Time
Vince Gill Tears Up Singing Onstage Tribute to Dolly Parton—See The Emotional Video
Vince Gill struggled to hold back his emotions while honoring his longtime friend and collaborator Dolly Parton just days after her death.
During Gill’s Thursday, August 27, concert at the Midland Theatre in Kansas City, MO, the country star, 69, took a moment to remember Parton before performing “I Will Always Love You,” the song the two famously recorded together more than three decades ago.
Gill told the audience that he and his family were “crushed” by the loss before beginning the emotional performance. Fan-captured video on Facebook shows the singer becoming visibly choked up at points as he made his way through the Parton classic, with the crowd cheering him on as he reached the end.
Fans were also emotional in the comments of the post.
“Vince still has an Angelic voice! What a lovely tribute!” one wrote.
“He sings I and I start to cry,” said another.
A third commented, “I was there and had me in tears. Great moment,” while a fourth replied, “Sensational. Chills.”
The performance came after Gill shared another tribute to Parton on Instagram, posting footage of the pair performing their duet at the 1995 CMA Awards. “We are all crushed here at our house,” he wrote. “One of the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard was when Dolly and I sang that last note of ‘I Will Always Love You’ the year we performed it on the CMA Awards.”
READ MORE: Dolly Parton’s Final Instagram Post Honored a Special Moment With Kenny Rogers
Gill and Parton released their rendition in 1995, more than two decades after Parton originally wrote and recorded “I Will Always Love You” in 1973.
Other songs used the song to remember Parton following her death. John Mayer incorporated it into his August 26 performance of “Gravity” in New York, while Vin Diesel shared an unexpected recording of himself singing the classic on Instagram (which got a lot of mixed reviews).
Parton died Tuesday, August 25, at age 80 following a brief battle with cancer, according to her team. Her death prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the entertainment industry.
Related: Dollywood CEO Makes One Thing Clear About the Park After Dolly Parton’s Death
Megan Moroney's Dolly Parton Cover Has Fans Shocked: 'Absolutely Insane'
Megan Moroney wrapped the U.S. leg of her Cloud 9 Tour on Thursday (Aug. 27) and gave a tribute to Dolly Parton that some fans are calling “absolutely insane.”
The overall takeaway? Moroney’s cover of Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” — an early ’90s hit for Whitney Houston — is one of the most beautiful ever performed.
Fans left comments like:
- “The voice of an angel! I know you make our Dolly so proud!”
- “Oh this was so beautiful”
- “The perfect tribute😭🦋 rest in peace Dolly!
- “As someone who doesn’t really cry to songs, I’ll admit this made me tear up a bit”
- “This was absolutely insane”
- “Megan, this is beautiful and your voice sounds INCREDIBLE singing Dolly’s song”
- “Best tribute to Dolly ever”
we will always love you, Dolly 🦋
♬ original sound – Megan MoroneyMoroney wasn’t supposed to have a show this week. The Denver, Colo. concert was a one-off; a makeup concert for the July performance she had to cancel abruptly due to illness. She more than made up for it, extending the show with 9 new songs on the setlist. That included the tribute to Parton, who died this week (Aug. 25) after a brief cancer battle.
Backed only by a keyboardist, the “No Caller ID” singer’s cover of “I Will Always Love You” showcased her moody vocals, which rang through Ball Arena as 18,000 fans sang along.
Parton was a country music legend, and just about every country artist who’s on tour this week has been honoring her in some way. Ella Langley sang “Jolene” in Alabama, Chris Stapleton powered through “I Will Always Love You,” and Brad Paisley teared up as he sang “When I Get Where I’m Going,” his 2005 No. 1 hit with the late icon.
Next up for Moroney is Cloud 9 shows overseas. She’ll perform in Oslo, Stockholm, Paris, London, and more in September, wrapping her tour in Belfast on Oct. 1.
At 100, Dick Van Dyke Reveals the Gym Habit That Saved Him From Pain
Nothing can stop the legendary Dick Van Dyke!
At 100 years old, the actor and comedian is staying in shape. He posted a video of himself on an inversion table to Instagram on Friday, Aug. 28. He captioned the clip, “#DVD100 1/2 workout inversion table #keepmoving.”
Van Dyke isn’t shy about how he stays in shape. He attributed his youthful spirit to his 54-year-old wife, Arlene Silver, whom he calls a “health nut.”
“She gives me energy. She gives me humor, and all kinds of support,” the Mary Poppins star told ABC News ahead of his 100th birthday in December 2025.
Dick Van Dyke’s wife kicks off 100th birthday celebrations by singing to him.Rich Fury/Getty Images
He added that he hits the gym three times a week: “I think that saved me from the pain. That’s good advice for anybody,” Van Dyke shared.
He admitted there are so many difficulties that come with reaching his age.
“I miss movement. I’ve got one game leg from I don’t know what. And– dance — I still try to dance,” he told the outlet.
After celebrating 100 years of life, the centenarian says he’s far from ready to slow down and is looking forward to many more.
“The funniest thing is, it’s not enough,” he explained. “A hundred years is not enough. You want to live more, which I plan to.”
Van Dyke shared that making it to triple digits has given him a new perspective on his acting career, especially because he used to portray older characters.
“You know, I played old men a lot, and I always played them as angry and cantankerous,” he said. “It’s not really that way. I don’t know any other 100-year-olds, but I can speak for myself.”
Throughout his illustrious career, Van Dyke has earned six Emmy Awards, a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and major lifetime honors.
1986 Duet, Which Revived a ’60s Girl Group Legend, Became a No. 1 Rock Hit
“Take Me Home Tonight” was right on the money. Eddie Money, that is. The rocker whose working-class pop-rock anthems “Two Tickets to Paradise” and “Shakin’” put him on the music map found himself in desperate need of another banger in the mid-’80s to yank him out of a momentary slump.
And then “Take Me Home Tonight” showed up.
According to Songfacts, producers slipped a demo of the song to Money. Written by Mike Leeson and Peter Vale, it interpolated the chorus of The Ronettes’ 1963 classic “Be My Baby,” resulting in songwriting credits for the writers of the earlier hit—Ellie Greenwich, Jeff Barry, and Phil Spector—as well.
After hearing it, Money insisted that the only way the song would really work would be to have the original legend singing on it herself. So he called up the retired Ronnie Spector.
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“I could hear clinking and clanking in the background,” Money, 37 at the time, said in a 2015 interview via Billboard. Spector, then 43, told Money she was doing the dishes, then said, “I’m not really in the business anymore, Eddie.”
After a little coaxing, the ’60s girl group icon re-entered the studio after two decades out of the spotlight and recorded her iconic vocal on the Money song.
Musically, the resulting track blended 1980s arena rock with classic 1960s pop nostalgia. There’s a driving mid-tempo electric guitar sound with some synthesizers supporting, while Money’s gritty yet melodic lead vocals contrast nicely with Spector’s soaring, unmistakable refrain “Just like Ronnie sang, ‘Be my baby.’”
The duet was a smash, with Spector’s contribution bringing immense nostalgia, media attention, and crossover appeal. It peaked at No. 4 on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, but it went all the way to No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks tally. The song even saw a resurgence after Money died in 2019, accumulating more than 3 million streams in the U.S. alone.
Spector, who was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with The Ronettes in 2007, had long been out of the public eye since her early ’60s heyday. However, she continued to record and perform sporadically. But this song changed all that.
“Take Me Home Tonight” not only introduced Spector’s remarkable voice to an entirely new generation, but it also got her on MTV for the first time in music video form, Songfacts reported. The duo’s music video—a moody black-and-white visual featuring Money singing into a microphone and playing the sax, while Spector sings and dances backstage, eventually joining Money on the main stage—received a ton of airtime on the network.
Following the success of the song, Spector released a solo album the next year. Appropriately titled Unfinished Business, the record was praised for its sound. Billboard wrote about it, “Former Ronette’s voice is an American classic, and she puts it to good use on this nice update of the Spector sound.”
As for Money, the comeback hit gave his career a major second wind. He scored a 1987 Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance, and the single drove his sixth album to platinum certification. The momentum allowed him to score subsequent 1980s hits like “I Wanna Go Back” and “Walk on Water.”
“Take Me Home Tonight” marked a career high for the rock-and-roll singer from Brooklyn, but he did go on to score six additional Top 40 singles through 1992, Billboard reported. Later, he starred in the Rochester, New York, premiere of Two Tickets to Paradise: The Musical, an autobiographical production he wrote and scored.
Now celebrating 40 years in the canon of greatest rock duets ever, “Take Me Home Tonight” has become not just a song that revived a pair of musical careers, but a nostalgic link bridging two generations of rock. And that’s a hook to take to the bank.
Rush’s New Drummer Has a Hilarious Onstage Tradition — See Her Antics
Rush’s new drummer Anika Nilles has found a pretty entertaining way to keep Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson on their toes.
As Rush continues its Fifty Something reunion tour, Nilles has developed a hilarious tradition during the final moments of “Working Man.” Rather than immediately bringing the song to its conclusion, she has been leaving Lee and Lifeson hanging on the final chord while she finds increasingly ridiculous ways to kill time.
At the band’s August 26 show at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Nilles decided it was the perfect opportunity for a snack. While her bandmates waited, she pulled out a bag of chips, ate a few and even offered some to Lee and Lifeson. After they declined, she put the bag away and tried to catch them off guard by suddenly finishing the song—though the pair appeared ready for her.
READ MORE: Legendary ’70s Band Returns to Stage After 11 Years, Plays 1987 Hit Live for the First Time Ever
And the snack break was hardly a one-off. Nilles has reportedly pulled the stunt at numerous shows, changing up the joke each time. She’s taken out her phone to snap a selfie with Lee and Lifeson, casually read a newspaper and even donned a replica of The Bag, a character longtime Rush fans will recognize.
The 43-year-old German drummer underwent a five-day audition before being selected by Lee and Lifeson in October 2025 for Rush’s first tour since 2015 (and their first without late drummer Neil Peart, who died in 2020).
Lee and Lifeson have been open about just how difficult it was to imagine Rush without Peart, both because of his unmistakable drumming style and his role as the band’s primary lyricist. Speaking to The Guardian in February, Lee admitted that what he misses most isn’t any one thing about his longtime bandmate. “I just miss him,” he said.
Lifeson immediately brought up Peart’s laugh, prompting Lee to remember some of the lighter moments between the trio. On a more serious note, Lee described Peart as “a mentor to [him] in many ways” and “a very stimulating person to be around.”
Nilles previously admitted to feeling the pressure of stepping into the role once occupied by one of rock’s most celebrated drummers. Before her first performance, however, she received a supportive message from Peart’s widow, Carrie Nuttall, that she described as “really lovely.” Nilles said the gesture left her feeling “really energized and relieved” ahead of her debut.
We can’t wait to see what antics Nilles pulls of next on stage.
1978 Hit by Scotland-Born Legend Became One of the 'Top Soft Rock Songs' of All Time
Forty-eight years ago, ’70s rocker Gerry Rafferty released “Baker Street,” his biggest commercial breakthrough that would define his career and carry on his legacy for years to come.
Released on February 3, 1978 as the lead single from his second studio album, City to City, “Baker Street” became a worldwide sensation. The song entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart on April 22, peaking at No. 2 in June for six consecutive weeks. In total, the song charted for 20 consecutive weeks.
“Baker Street” not only dominated the charts during the summer of ’78, but it experienced major commercial triumph via sales. The single went on to be certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for moving over 1 million copies in the U.S. alone. On a global scale, the smash hit sold over 5 million units.
Gerry Rafferty in Arenbergschouwburg, Antwerpen, Belgium, on June 24, 1978.Co-produced by Rafferty and Hugh Murphy, “Baker Street” is most recognizable for its iconic saxophone solo. The pair utilized bluesy electric guitar work, smooth bass lines and Rafferty’s melancholic vocals to root the song in its signature late-night, dream-like atmosphere, designed to immerse listeners into feeling like they are walking the streets of a busy city.
The track’s sound plays off its lyrical themes of yearning for a more meaningful life. Written by Rafferty, “Baker Street” captures a man who is struggling to deal with big-city living. The narrator feels swallowed by the city, finding himself lost in the hustle and bustle, searching for a more substantive purpose.
The message resonated deeply with young people at the time, further driving its popularity across the world. Today, it maintains that resonance, being remembered as one of the greatest songs in the soft-rock genre.
In 2024, Ultimate Classic Rock ranked their picks of the top 40 best soft-rock tracks. “Baker Street” secured the No. 11 spot among other notable hits such as Carly Simon’s 1972 song “You’re So Vain” and Carole King’s 1971 song “It’s Too Late.”
In the digital era, Rafferty’s No. 2 single proves its continued perseverance. On Spotify alone, “Baker Street” has garnered over 351 million streams, attesting to its long-lasting ability to bridge the gap between generations of audiences.
Related: 1978 Soft Rock Song, Produced by Lindsey Buckingham, Became a Career-Defining Hit