Dolly Parton wrote "The Seeker" in 1975 during a period of spiritual doubt, using the song to express a rare moment of religious uncertainty despite her otherwise well-known strong Christian faith. The track, included on her 16th solo album Dolly, resonated widely because it addressed a universal search for meaning rather than religion specifically, broadening its appeal beyond a strictly Christian audience.

Parton wrote the song entirely on her own and later explained, in her 2020 book Songteller, that it emerged while she felt she wasn't living up to her own standards as a Christian. Notably, she never mentions God directly in the lyrics, an omission she only recognised after someone pointed it out, leading her to conclude the song was meant "for everybody". Produced by Porter Wagoner, "The Seeker" became a Top 5 hit and a moderate crossover success, and it stood as Parton's last Top 5 single until "Here You Come Again" in 1977, which went on to become her first Top 5 pop hit.