20 Essential Albums Every Country Music Fan Should Own

13. Dolly Parton - Coat Of Many Colors

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1zJzr-kWsI Key Tracks: Here I Am, Coat of Many Colors, My Blue Tears Good old Dolly, who doesn't love her? Behind the plastic surgeries, the big hair and 'Dollyworld' there is a true artist and an exemplary songwriter. Before she began fame chasin', she was writing exemplary folk ballads and Coat of Many Colors has helped to shape her country music legacy and identity. The album is a tight, focused recording (clocking in at just under thirty minutes). The content is slightly dark but, thanks to Parton's enthusiastic, hopeful delivery, is never depressing. The title track, which tells of Parton's tough, poverty-stricken childhood, would be a dark tale in the hands of many an artist but she manages to keep things upbeat while retaining the message. Out of a mind-blowing 42 studio albums, this remains Dolly's best.