Following 9 to 5, the rest of Dolly Parton’s 80s output was a mixed bag. She released a well-received country album (1982’s Heartbreak Express), a pop/country crossover (1983’s Burlap & Satin) and an album of synth-pop covers (1984’s The Great Pretender).
Real Love (1985) and Rainbow (1987) chased the era’s production trends with little success, trying to shoehorn Parton into a pop formula that was only occasionally successful. The failure of Rainbow, in particular, pushed her back toward her country comfort zone.
Earlier in 1987, her collaboration with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris on Trio resulted in her best reviews in years.
Finally, 1989’s White Limozeen, Parton’s 29th solo studio album, was heralded as a return to form and gave Dolly her first Gold record since 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs nine years earlier.
The shift back to traditional country, but with modern, nuanced production, resulted in two more #1 hits in ‘Why’d You Come in Here Lookin’ Like That’ and ‘Yellow Roses.’ The rest of the album is packed with springy jams and tear-soaked ballads, allowing Parton to utilize her full palette.
The one speed bump is closing track ‘He’s Alive,’ an overwrought recounting of the Jesus resurrection story that explodes into comical bombast by the end. It probably goes over like gangbusters in mega-churches, but elicited groans and laughs from me.
In your cowboy boots and your painted-on jeans
All decked out like a cowgirl’s dream
Why’d you come in here looking like that?
Here comes my baby dragging my heart behind
He’s drivin’ me crazy, who says love is blind?
He’s got a wandering eye and a traveling mind
Big ideas and a little behind
Out with a different woman every night
But I remember when he was mine
Why’d you come in here looking like that?
In your high heeled boots and your painted-on jeans
All decked out like a cowgirl’s dream
Waltzing right in here lookin’ like that
Why’d you come in here looking like that?
When you could stop traffic in a gunny sack
Why, you’re almost giving me a heart attack
When you waltz right in here lookin’ like that
I just can’t stand it to see him on the town
He’s out slow dancing with every girl around
I’m a soft-hearted woman, he’s a hardheaded man
And he’s gonna make me feel just as bad as he can
He’s got himself a mean streak a half a mile wide
But now he’s dancing on this heart of mine
Why’d you come in here looking like that?
In your high heel boots and your painted-on jeans
All decked out like a cowgirl’s dream
Why’d you come in here looking like that?
Why’d you come in here looking like that?
In your cowboy boots and your painted-on jeans
All decked out like a cowgirl’s dream
Why’d you come in here looking like that?
Why’d you come in here looking like that?
When you could stop traffic in a gunny sack
Why, you’re almost giving me a heart attack
When you waltz right in here lookin’ like that
Why’d you come in here looking like that?
Why’d you come in here looking like that?
I see that many of these songs seem to be on the greatest hits album, called Diamonds and Rhinestones. Seems like that might be a good listen if one just wants to hear the essential Dolly Parton.
Not a fan of this one 🤷🏻♀️