Dolly cover art

  Studio Album · No. 11

Dolly Songwriting Credits by Dolly Parton

1975 RCA Victor 10 tracks 31 min

Produced by Porter Wagoner

RCA Victor CountryCountrypolitan
100%
Authorship
Complete Artist

Holds writing credit on 10 of 10 tracks

Authorship Breakdown 10 / 10 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 10 tracks with documented writers, by whether Dolly Parton carries a lyricist or composer credit.

100%
10 trackswritten by Dolly Parton 0 tracksoutside writers
Dolly Parton's roles on this album

Share of the 10 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist100%
Composer100%
Producer0%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

10
Tracks
1
Lyricists
1
Producers
1975
Released
Data Insight

Dolly Parton wrote all ten songs on this album, which RCA Victor issued as Dolly with the cover subtitle "The Seeker / We Used To" (catalog APL1-1221). Porter Wagoner produced the sessions, drawing on tracks recorded across several years at RCA Studio A in Nashville. "The Seeker" stands out as the centerpiece, a gospel-tinged song about spiritual searching and self-doubt that Parton framed as a personal plea, and it became the album's biggest hit. The collection leans heavily on themes of lost love and memory, with Parton's writing carrying the emotional weight while Wagoner's production keeps the arrangements in a polished countrypolitan style.

Released September 15, 1975 on RCA Victor, Dolly was produced by Porter Wagoner, who had been Parton's professional partner and mentor throughout the early part of her career. Parton wrote all of the tracks herself, making it a showcase of her prolific songwriting ability at a time when she was beginning to assert her creative independence. The album is largely composed of love songs and ballads focused on remembering lost love, with only a handful of uptempo cuts breaking the reflective mood. The lead single 'The Seeker' reached number 2 on the U.S. Hot Country Singles chart and number 1 in Canada, while the follow-up 'We Used To' peaked at number 9 domestically. The album charted at number 14 on Billboard's Top Country Albums, and Billboard praised the collection as beautifully done.

Track Listing & Credits 10 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
We Used To #9
Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Porter Wagoner Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
2
The Love I Used to Call Mine
Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Porter Wagoner Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
3
My Heart Started Breaking
Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Porter Wagoner Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
4
Most of All, Why?
Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Porter Wagoner Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
5
Bobby's Arms
Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Porter Wagoner Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
6
The Seeker #2
Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Porter Wagoner Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
7
Hold Me
Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Porter Wagoner Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
8
Because I Love You
Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Porter Wagoner Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
9
Only the Memory Remains
Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Porter Wagoner Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)
10
I'll Remember You as Mine
Dolly Parton Dolly Parton Porter Wagoner Dolly Parton (Lead Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 2 contributors

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Frequently Asked Questions Dolly

Is the 1975 album Dolly the same record as The Seeker / We Used To?
Yes. RCA Victor released the album in September 1975 with the main title Dolly printed on the cover and the subtitle "The Seeker / We Used To," under catalog number APL1-1221. It is sometimes listed under either title in discographies, but it is a single album.
Who wrote the songs on Dolly Parton's 1975 album Dolly?
Dolly Parton wrote all ten songs on the album herself. It is one of several mid-1970s records where she handled the entire writing credit, reinforcing her reputation as a songwriter as much as a singer.
What is the song The Seeker about on the album Dolly?
"The Seeker" is a gospel-influenced song about spiritual searching and feelings of unworthiness, written as a humble plea for guidance. It was the album's lead single and reached number two on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart.
Did the single We Used To chart for Dolly Parton?
Yes. "We Used To," the album's opening track, was released as the second single and reached number nine on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart. It is a reflective song about a relationship that has faded.
Who produced Dolly Parton's album Dolly?
Porter Wagoner produced the album. He was Parton's longtime duet partner and producer during her RCA years, and the sessions were recorded at RCA Studio A in Nashville.
When was the album Dolly released and on what label?
The album was released on September 15, 1975, through RCA Victor. Its catalog number was APL1-1221.
How did the album Dolly perform on the charts?
The album reached number fourteen on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart. Its single "The Seeker" was the bigger commercial success, peaking at number two on the country songs chart.
How long is Dolly Parton's 1975 album Dolly?
The album runs roughly 31 minutes across its ten tracks, a typical length for a country LP of the era. Most individual songs run between two and a half and three and a half minutes.

Sources