Dolly Parton has released a new single from her upcoming album Rockstar, and it features none other than Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, the surviving members of The Beatles. The song is a cover of the iconic ballad “Let It Be”, which was written by McCartney and released as the final single by the Fab Four in 1970. Parton’s version also includes contributions from rock legends Peter Frampton and Mick Fleetwood, making it a truly epic collaboration.
Parton announced the release of the single on her social media, saying: “My new Rockstar single, ‘Let It Be’ is dropping this Friday! This song is really special to me because I’m joined by @PaulMcCartney, who wrote the song, along with @ringostarrmusic, @peterframpton, and @mickfleetwood.” She also shared a snippet of the song, which showcases her distinctive vocals and harmonies with McCartney and Starr.
A Tribute To The Beatles
Parton has always been a fan of The Beatles, and has covered several of their songs in the past, such as “Help!” and “Something”. She has also expressed her admiration for McCartney, whom she met in 2013 at the Glastonbury Festival. In an interview with The Guardian, she said: “I love Paul McCartney. He’s such a genius. I would love to do something with him.”
The feeling is mutual, as McCartney has praised Parton for her talent and personality. In a 2019 interview with BBC Radio 2, he said: “She’s great. She’s so funny. She’s got a great sense of humour. And she can write like nobody else. She’s amazing.”
Starr, who played drums on the original version of “Let It Be”, also expressed his excitement for the collaboration. He tweeted: “It was an honour to play on this beautiful song again with my dear friend Paul and the lovely Dolly Parton. Peace and love.”
A Rockstar Album
“Let It Be” is the latest preview track from Parton’s highly anticipated album Rockstar, which will be released on November 17th via her own Butterfly Records in conjunction with Big Machine Label Group. The album features nine original songs and 21 covers of classic rock songs, many with the original performers joining her on the track.
Some of the other guest stars on the album include Elton John, Sting, Stevie Nicks, Debbie Harry, Steve Perry, Joan Jett, Lizzo, Brandi Carlile, Miley Cyrus, and many more. The album will be available in 4LP and 2CD sets, as well as digital download and streaming.
Parton recently revealed that she has no plans for retirement and would rather “drop dead in the middle of a song on stage someday.” She also said that she wants to make a gospel record and leave some kind of message for her fans.
You can listen to “Let It Be” by Dolly Parton featuring Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr here.
