60 Years Ago Today, a 20-Year-Old Dolly Parton Released the Sassy Single That Became Her First Country Chart Hit

Dolly Parton released “Dumb Blonde” on 7 November 1967, making an upbeat country song that turned a stereotype aimed at her into a declaration of independence. The single became her first country chart hit and helped establish the confident public persona that would accompany her career.

Parton recorded the song in Nashville in September 1966, aged 20, after Monument Records founder Fred Foster agreed to let her pursue country music. Written by Curly Putman, it reached No. 24 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and later appeared on Parton’s debut album, *Hello, I’m Dolly*. She re-recorded it with Miranda Lambert for the 2018 film *Dumplin’*.