Dolly Parton released *Rockstar*, her first rock album, in 2023 after being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame—an honour she had initially turned down. The sprawling project marked a departure for the country and Grand Ole Opry legend, teaming her with an eclectic array of rock icons and reworking some of the genre's most celebrated songs. It would go on to be her final full-length album before her death in 2026.

The record featured covers such as Journey's "Open Arms," Prince's "Purple Rain" and Peter Frampton's "Baby, I Love Your Way," alongside guest turns from Debbie Harry, Elton John, Melissa Etheridge, Pat Benatar and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others. Parton also wrote original material, including lead single "World On Fire," which became her first number one on the rock chart. She has said the album was partly a tribute to her husband, Carl Dean, a lifelong rock fan, revealing she worked especially hard to win his approval and make the rock community "proud" of her.