Dolly Parton Debuts Powerful Cover Of ‘Wrecking Ball’ Featuring Miley Cyrus

Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus team up for a haunting duet of the culture-dominating tune, “Wrecking Ball.”

It’s been 10 years since Cyrus dropped the song that sparked controversy worldwide for its scandalous music video and revengeful lyrics. It later went on to become the highest-performing single to spawn from her 2013 Bangerz album, as it earned Cyrus her first No. 1 single on the Hot 100 and spent three weeks atop the chart.

Duet Will Appear On Her ‘Rockstar’ Album

Now, the breakup anthem is being resurrected by Cyrus and her godmother, who revealed she was nearly brought to tears the first time she heard the powerful yet devastating narrative. All these years later, the song still seems to have a strong effect on Parton, leading her to record a new version with Cyrus for her highly anticipated Rockstar project. 

“When I heard ‘Wrecking Ball’ I almost wept in my car. When it started into the chorus it hit me like a wrecking ball! I thought how great can a song be and how great can Miley Cyrus be? I thought, I have to have that song on my rock album and I have to have Miley sing it with me! I love it and I hope you do,” Parton shared via press release. 

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Recalls The Moment She First Heard The Song

In another recent statement, the “9 To 5” singer expanded on her initial connection with the song, sharing that it affected her the same way as the first time she heard Whitney Houston’s famous 1992 cover of the Parton-penned song, “I Will Always Love You.”

“I was driving, heard that one, and I almost wrecked,” Parton said of the Houston recording. “And when I heard ‘Wrecking Ball,’ I almost wrecked again,” she added with a laugh. 

This was an incredibly prideful moment for Cyrus as well, who took to social media to pen a heartfelt message of gratitude for her beloved “Aunt Dolly.”

“Excited To Share It With Everyone”

She began, “I’ve grown up covering my Aunt Dollys music & it’s an honor to hear her singing one of my songs.”

The Disney Channel alum went on to express her appreciation for their tight-knit relationship and her pride in seeing Parton stretch beyond the bounds of her musical abilities as she steps into her rock era.

“I’m so happy to add another collaboration under our bedazzled (studded leather) belt! We’re ROCKSTARS now! You can hear so much sweetness and love on this record. Excited to share it with everyone. Forever your Doll Baby, Miley,” Cyrus added in conclusion. 

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The country music icon delivers the opening verse of the song, letting her signature twang shine in full force before Cyrus joins in on the chorus, interlacing the pair of dynamic vocals with the piano ballad and rising introduction of electric guitar riffs.  

“Don’t you ever say I just walked away / I will always want you / I can’t live a lie, running for my life / I will always want you / I came in like a wrecking ball / I never hit so hard in love / All I wanted was to break your walls / All you ever did was wreck me / Yeah you wreck me,” they sing on the chorus. 

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Much like when they performed “Wrecking Ball” before ringing in 2023 as co-hosts of the second annual Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party, Cyrus and Parton once again added their own twist to the tune. Instead of singing “I will always want you” on the bridge, Parton changed the lyrics to “I will always love you,” as an ode to one of her biggest hits.

The new duet is set to be featured on Dolly Parton’s first-ever rock album. Arriving on November 17 via Butterfly Records in partnership with Big Machine Label Group, Rockstar will feature 30 tracks, including nine Dolly originals and 21 covers of some of the most iconic rock hits of all time. 

The album has already produced chart-topping hits including the original song “Bygones (feat. Rob Halford)” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard Rock Digital Songs chart and another original, “World on Fire,” which also reached the No. 1 Billboard Rock Digital Songs chart the month of its release. 

Most recently, fans got a glimpse into the project through the release of the classic “Let It Be” featuring a lineup of Rock legends such as Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood as well as “What’s Up?” featuring Linda Perry. 

Star-Studded Project

As a whole, the collection will feature collaborations with more than two dozen musical acts including Richie Sambora, Sting, Steve Perry, Ann Wilson, John Fogerty, Kid Rock, Steven Tyler, Warren Hayes, Stevie Nicks, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, Chris Stapleton, Miley Cyrus, P!nk, Brandi Carlile, Debbie Harry, Elton John, Melissa Etheridge, Lizzo, Judas Priest’s Rob Halford, Nikki Sixx, John 5, Linda Perry, Sheryl Crow, Emmy Lou Harris, Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo, The Beatles’ Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr, Peter Frampton, Mick Fleetwood, Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band. 

Thanksgiving Day Performance

Just days after dropping Rockstar, Parton will perform during the halftime show at the Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders game this Thanksgiving. The Tennessee native announced the news with a glamours clip shard to Twitter that featured a bit of help from the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders as they got game-ready with a surplus of rhinestones and glitter. 

Parton donned a sparkly Cowboys outfit alongside the caption that read,“Can’t wait to see everyone at the Salvation Army Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show during the Dallas Cowboys game.”

Can’t wait to see everyone at the @SalvationArmyUS Red Kettle Kickoff Halftime Show during the @DallasCowboys game. Tune in to @CBSSports November 23, Thanksgiving Day, at 3:30 P.M. CST for a performance that will rock 🎸 pic.twitter.com/Tw1KuYJeFM

— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) October 16, 2023

To see Dolly Parton shine in a rocking performance on the field, fans can tune into CBS Sports on November 23, Thanksgiving Day, at 3:30 P.M. CST.