Introduction "The Great Pretender" is a studio album by the famous American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton, launched in 1984. The album marks her return to traditional c and w, after a duration of try out popular song in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It is her 26th solo studio album, released under the RCA Victor label. The album comprises ten tracks, featuring a mix of Parton's original compositions and a selection of covers from pop and c and w artists. Though the album did not delight in the very same business success as Parton's earlier works, it remains a vital part of her extensive discography.
The Album's Theme and Concept The album is entitled after its opening track, a cover of The Platters' 1955 tune "The Great Pretender". The album showcases Parton's unbelievable adaptability as a singer and her ability to easily carry out various music styles. The selection of tunes on the album reflects Parton's desire to bridge the space between conventional country music and popular song, permitting her to reach a broader audience.
The Great Pretender represents a thematic departure from Parton's previous albums that mostly focused on c and w. The songs in this album show her proficient interpretation of pop tunes while maintaining her country roots. Each specific track offers a hint of Parton's singing abilities and musical variety, while the total flow of the album demonstrates her cohesiveness as an artist.
Track Listing The album consists of 10 tracks, which include both initial tunes and covers. The track listing is as follows:
1. "The Great Pretender" (Buck Ram)-- Originally tape-recorded by The Platters 2. "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" (Holland-Dozier-Holland)-- Originally taped by Four Tops 3. "Hey, Good Lookin'" (Hank Williams)-- Originally taped by Hank Williams 4. "Save the Last Dance for Me" (Doc Pomus, Mort Shuman)-- Originally tape-recorded by The Drifters 5. "My Girl (My Love)" (Smokey Robinson, Ronald White)-- Originally recorded by The Temptations 6. "Baby I'm Burnin'" (Dolly Parton)-- A re-recording of Parton's 1979 tune 7. "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" (Bob Dylan)-- Originally recorded by Bob Dylan 8. "The House of the Rising Sun" (Traditional)-- Most notoriously tape-recorded by The Animals 9. "Sure Thing" (Dolly Parton)-- An original structure by Parton 10. "Hold Me" (Little Anthony & The Imperials)-- Originally taped by Little Anthony & The Imperials
Reception and Legacy Upon its release, "The Great Pretender" got blended reviews from music critics. While some appreciated Parton's flexibility and distinct analysis of the pop and nation classics, others felt that the album stopped working to showcase the real essence of her nation roots. In terms of industrial success, The Great Pretender peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 73 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album's songs, "Save the Last Dance for Me" and "The House of the Rising Sun", handled to reach the top 12 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
In spite of its business underperformance compared to her previous albums, "The Great Pretender" stays an essential piece of Dolly Parton's discography for her capability to mix country and pop music styles. The album is a best example of Parton's willingness to take threats and her unrivaled aspiration to cross over into various categories. Today, "The Great Pretender" is kept in mind as a showcase of Parton's unbelievable singing skill, her unequaled versatility as an artist, and her determination to constantly evolve and grow in her remarkable profession.
Dolly Parton, born in Tennessee, 1946. Discover her rise in country music, iconic quotes, and philanthropic efforts.
