Shania Twain shares 2003 Dolly Parton duet tribute
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Shania Twain has shared footage of her 2003 duet with Dolly Parton as a tribute following Parton’s death aged 80. The performance of Parton’s 1971 song “Coat of Many Colors” reflected Twain’s long-standing admiration for an artist she regarded as both a musical and personal role model.
Twain described Parton as a mentor, songwriting teacher and example of grace and humility, saying her influence would continue to inspire her. Their appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show formed part of a special linked to the 2003 tribute album Just Because I’m a Woman, which featured female artists influenced by Parton, including Melissa Etheridge, Alison Krauss, Norah Jones and Sinéad O’Connor.
- Twain honoured Parton by sharing their 2003 duet.
- She called Parton a mentor and lifelong hero.
- The performance accompanied Parton’s 2003 tribute album.
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Shania Twain is one of country and pop music's biggest names, known for hits such as "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" and "You're Still the One". Dolly Parton, who died at 80, was a pioneering singer-songwriter and one of the most influential figures in country music, celebrated for songs like "Jolene" and "9 to 5" as well as her wider cultural presence. Twain has long cited Parton as a formative influence on her own career.
The two artists share a history that goes back to 2003, when they performed Parton's 1971 song "Coat of Many Colors" together on a special edition of The Oprah Winfrey Show. That broadcast also featured other artists connected to Parton's album Just Because I'm a Woman, which reworked her songs with contributions from musicians she had inspired.
Parton's death has prompted tributes from across the music world, reflecting her stature as a mentor and inspiration to generations of performers. Twain's response is one such tribute, recalling their shared performance as a personally significant moment in her career.
Full account
Dolly Parton, the country music icon revered as a songwriter and cultural figure, has died at the age of 80. Her death was confirmed on Tuesday by her nephew, Bryan Seaver, who also served as her head of security. Tributes have poured in from across the music world, among them a heartfelt message from fellow singer-songwriter Shania Twain, who described Parton as a mentor and lifelong inspiration.
Twain shared a clip on social media of a 2003 duet the pair performed together on The Oprah Winfrey Show, in which they sang Parton's 1971 song 'Coat of Many Colors'. In her tribute, the Canadian star wrote that Parton had been 'pure light sent from heaven', calling her a songwriting teacher and a model of grace and humility. Twain said the loss had left 'a hole in my heart', though she took comfort in knowing that memories of Parton's smile would continue to inspire her. Twain, who grew up in Timmins, Ontario, and like Parton began performing in bars as a young woman, has often spoken of the country legend as the artist she most wanted to emulate, both musically and personally.
That 2003 television appearance formed part of a special edition of the Oprah Winfrey Show marking the release of Parton's album 'Just Because I'm a Woman', a collection that paired her own compositions with performances from artists she had influenced. Alongside Twain, the broadcast featured Melissa Etheridge and Alison Krauss, while the album itself also included contributions from Sinead O'Connor, Shelby Lynne, Norah Jones and Mindy Smith, among others, underlining the breadth of Parton's impact on generations of female musicians.
Parton's death comes only days after she gave what has since been described as her final interview, in which she discussed her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, and struck a hopeful note about work still to come. She acknowledged she had been contending with health difficulties that she had put to one side while caring for Dean before his death, and reflected that public scrutiny of her health had intensified in the age of social media. Despite recent absences from public life, including withdrawing from a Las Vegas residency and the launch of a new ride at her Dollywood theme park, Parton had continued to voice enthusiasm for projects such as a new museum in Nashville, a hotel and Broadway musical, and a coffee line inspired by her song '9 to 5'. She told fans she was still healing but still working, determined to see her remaining ambitions realised.
Where outlets differ
The two source reports cover different aspects of the story: one focuses narrowly on Shania Twain's tribute and the pair's 2003 Oprah duet, while the other centres on the broader news of Parton's death and the details of her final interview.
The tribute-focused report gives more context on the 2003 televised performance and the 'Just Because I'm a Woman' album, naming several other artists involved, which the other report does not mention at all.
The death/interview report goes into greater depth on Parton's health struggles, her cancelled appearances, and her upcoming professional projects, none of which feature in the Twain tribute report.
Only one report identifies Bryan Seaver, Parton's nephew and head of security, as the source confirming her death.
More coverage
- Daily Mail — Dolly Parton's devastating final interview just FOUR DAYS before her death: 'I still have so many things I want to achieve'
- The Hill — Biden mourns Dolly Parton: 'An American original'
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by Rolling Stone as “Shania Twain Mourns Dolly Parton, Shares Their Performance of ‘Coat of Many Colors’”.