Great Balls of Fire | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Studio album by | ||||
Released | May 28, 1979 | |||
Recorded | c. December 1978 | |||
Studio |
| |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 34:34 | |||
Label | RCA Victor | |||
Producer |
| |||
Dolly Parton chronology | ||||
| ||||
Singles from Great Balls of Fire | ||||
|
Great Balls of Fire is the twenty-first solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on May 28, 1979, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Dean Parks and Gregg Perry with Parton and Charles Koppelman serving as executive producers. The album peaked at number four on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 40 on the Billboard 200. Two of the album's four singles charted in the top ten of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. "You're the Only One" topped the chart, while "Sweet Summer Lovin'" peaked at number seven. The album has been certified Gold in the United States.
The album includes four Parton compositions. There are two covers on the album: "Great Balls of Fire", the Jerry Lee Lewis hit from 1957; and a bluegrass-inspired recording of the Beatles hit "Help!"
The album was released May 28, 1979 on LP, 8-track, and cassette.
The album's first single, "You're the Only One", was released in May 1979. [1] It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, Parton's eleventh song to do so. It also peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and number 59 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song was also a hit in Canada, peaking at number one on both the RPM Country Singles chart and the RPM Adult Contemporary chart. It peaked at number 63 on the RPM Top Singles chart. The single peaked at number 33 in Australia on the Kent Music Report.
The second and third singles, "Great Balls of Fire" and "Sweet Summer Lovin'", were released as a double A-side in August 1979. [2] [3] "Great Balls of Fire" was aimed at pop radio and failed to chart on its own. Its only chart appearance was on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, where it charted as the flip-side of "Sweet Summer Lovin". "Sweet Summer Lovin'" was released to country radio and it peaked at number 7 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. It also peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100. "Sweet Summer Lovin'" was also a hit in Canada, peaking at number six on the RPM Country Singles chart and number eight on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart.
The fourth single, "Star of the Show", was released in December 1979 in Australia, New Zealand, and the Netherlands. It peaked at number 99 in Australia on the Kent Music Report.
Review scores | |
---|---|
Source | Rating |
AllMusic | [4] |
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music | [5] |
The album received a positive review from Billboard , which said that "Parton has now firmly established herself in the pop field and reinforces her universal appeal with a collection of songs that showcase her versatility." They added that Parton's "sweet vocals" were aided by "a conglomeration of stellar players" that give the music a "needed punch." The review named "You're the Only One", "Help!", "Star of the Show", and "Do You Think That Time Stands Still" as the best cuts on the album and noted that the album's "attractive packag[ing] is a sales stimulant." [6]
Cashbox also gave a positive review of the album, saying that "Dolly proves how evocative she is on her latest RCA release." The review went on to say that Parton "lends her feathery voice to some thought-provoking love ballads, good time country numbers, streamlined rockers, and even throws in a dancin' number." The review concluded by saying that the "countrified version" of "Help!" and "knockout ballad" "Do You Think That Time Stands Still" are the standout cuts on the album. [7]
The New York Times determined that the album "isn't even an instance any more of a great talent being slicked up and distorted... It's just trivial in the most depressing sort of way." [8]
Writing for AllMusic, Mark Deming felt that "considering how well (and how sympathetically) Parton produced herself on her last few pre-crossover efforts...Dean Parks and Gregg Perry's studio settings [are] a bit disconcerting," but "they thankfully seem aware at all times who is in the spotlight, and Dolly, professional that she is, rises to the challenge on all ten tracks." He also noted that there are only four Parton compositions on the album and said that "it seems ironic that the most purely country cut on the LP is a cover of the Beatles' "Help!," which is given a sprightly neo-bluegrass arrangement." [4]
The album debuted at number 19 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated June 23, 1979. It would peak at number four on the chart dated July 28, where it would remain for five non-consecutive weeks. The album charted for a total of 26 weeks. It also peaked at number 40 on the Billboard 200. In Canada, the album peaked at number one on the RPM Country Albums chart and number 28 on the Top Albums chart. The album also peaked at number 48 in Australia on the Kent Music Report.
The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on November 13, 1979.
The album was reissued on CD for the first time in February 2007, paired with her 1980 album Dolly, Dolly, Dolly . It was made available as a digital download in March 2007.
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Star of the Show" | Dolly Parton | 3:56 |
2. | "Down" | Parton | 3:35 |
3. | "You're the Only One" | 3:23 | |
4. | "Help!" | 2:45 | |
5. | "Do You Think That Time Stands Still" | Parton | 3:56 |
No. | Title | Writer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Sweet Summer Lovin'" |
| 3:17 |
2. | "Great Balls of Fire" | 3:51 | |
3. | "Almost in Love" |
| 3:15 |
4. | "It's Not My Affair Anymore" | Jeanne French | 3:17 |
5. | "Sandy's Song" | Parton | 3:17 |
Chart (1979) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (Kent Music Report) [9] | 48 |
Canada Country Albums ( RPM ) | 1 |
Canada Top Albums ( RPM ) | 28 |
US Billboard 200 [10] | 40 |
US Top Country Albums (Billboard) [11] | 4 |
Chart (1979) | Peak position |
---|---|
US Hot Country Albums ( Billboard ) [12] | 34 |
Adapted from the album liner notes.
Performance
| Production
Other personnel
|
Here You Come Again is the nineteenth solo studio album by American entertainer Dolly Parton. It was released on October 3, 1977, by RCA Victor. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number 20 on the US Billboard 200 and at number 2 on the Hot Country Albums chart and also being nominated for Favourite Country Album at the American Music Awards. It became Parton's first album to be certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipping a million copies. The lead single and title track was also a success, entering the top five of the US Billboard Hot 100 and being nominated for Favourite Country Single at the American Music Awards.
Trio is a collaborative album by American singers Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris. It was released on March 2, 1987, by Warner Bros. Records. The album has platinum certification in the U.S. for sales of one million copies, and has total worldwide sales of approximately four million. A second collaborative album, Trio II, was released in 1999.
"9 to 5" is a song written and recorded by American entertainer Dolly Parton for the 1980 comedy film of the same name. In addition to appearing on the film soundtrack, the song was the centerpiece of Parton's album 9 to 5 and Odd Jobs, released in late 1980. The song was released as a single in November 1980.
Heartbreaker is the twentieth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on July 17, 1978, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Gary Klein and Parton with Charles Koppelman serving as executive producer, and was an even more direct aim at the pop charts, with several of its songs verging on disco. The album topped the Billboard Top Country Albums chart for nine consecutive weeks and peaked at number 27 on the Billboard 200. The album produced two number one hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, "Heartbreaker" and "I Really Got the Feeling", while "Baby I'm Burnin'" peaked at number 25 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album has been certified Gold in the United States and Canada.
All I Can Do is the seventeenth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on August 16, 1976, by RCA Victor. The album was co-produced by Parton and Porter Wagoner and would be the last of Parton's solo albums to have any involvement from Wagoner. It was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female at the 19th Annual Grammy Awards. The album spawned three singles: "Hey, Lucky Lady", "All I Can Do", and "Shattered Image".
Dolly is the sixteenth solo studio album by American entertainer Dolly Parton. It was released on September 15, 1975, by RCA Victor. To differentiate it from Parton's 2009 4-disc, career-spanning box set, which is also titled Dolly, the album is sometimes referred to as Dolly: The Seeker – We Used To.
Porter & Dolly is the thirteenth and final collaborative studio album by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. It was released on August 4, 1980, by RCA Victor. The album is made up of previously unreleased material recorded during Wagoner and Parton's duet years (1967–76), with new studio overdubs. It was released as part of a settlement from legal action Wagoner took against Parton following her departure from his band and syndicated television series. Two singles were released from the album. "Making Plans" peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and "If You Go, I'll Follow You" peaked at number 12.
Rhinestone is the soundtrack album from the 1984 film of the same name starring Dolly Parton and Sylvester Stallone. It was released on June 18, 1984, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Mike Post and Parton. It peaked at number 22 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 135 on the Billboard 200. The Dolly Parton-composed soundtrack produced two top ten singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart: "Tennessee Homesick Blues" and "God Won't Get You", which peaked at numbers one and ten, respectively.
The Best of Dolly Parton is a compilation album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on November 9, 1970, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It includes some of Parton's early hits, a few non-single album tracks, and two previously unreleased tracks. The album peaked at number 12 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The single, "Mule Skinner Blues " peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and earned Parton a nomination for Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 13th Annual Grammy Awards. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA on June 12, 1978, for sales of 500,000 copies.
Joshua is the seventh solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on April 12, 1971, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number 16 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 198 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album's single, "Joshua", was nominated for a Grammy and was Parton's first song to reach number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Hello, I'm Dolly is the debut studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on September 18, 1967, by Monument Records. The album was produced by Fred Foster. It peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart. The album spawned two top 40 hits, "Dumb Blonde" and "Something Fishy", which peaked at numbers 24 and 17, respectively.
Just the Two of Us is the second collaborative studio album by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. It was released on September 9, 1968, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number five on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 184 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album spawned three singles. "Holding on to Nothin'" and "We'll Get Ahead Someday" were top ten hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, peaking at numbers seven and five, respectively. The third single, "Jeannie's Afraid of the Dark", peaked at number 51.
My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy is the fourth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on September 8, 1969, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number six on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, Parton's first solo top ten, and number 194 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album spawned three singles: "Daddy", "In the Ghetto", and the title track. "Daddy" was the most successful, peaking at number 40 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Porter Wayne and Dolly Rebecca is the fourth collaborative studio album by Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. It was released on March 9, 1970, by RCA Victor. The album was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number four on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and number 137 on the Billboard 200 chart. Two top ten singles were released from the album, "Just Someone I Used to Know" and "Tomorrow Is Forever", peaking at numbers five and nine, respectively. "Just Someone I Used to Know" was nominated for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group at the 12th Annual Grammy Awards.
Treasures is the thirty-fourth solo studio album by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. It was released on September 24, 1996, by Rising Tide Records and Blue Eye Records. The Steve Buckingham-produced album is made up of covers of rock and country hits from the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. It peaked at number 21 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and spawned three singles: "Just When I Needed You Most", which peaked at number 62 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart; a dance remix of "Peace Train", which peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot Dance Music chart; and a dance remix of "Walking on Sunshine". The album's release was accompanied by a CBS television special, Dolly Parton: Treasures.
"Jolene" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Dolly Parton. It was produced by Bob Ferguson and recorded at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee on May 22, 1973, then released on October 15, 1973 by RCA Victor as the first single and title track from her album of the same name.
"Here You Come Again" is a song written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, and recorded by American entertainer Dolly Parton. It was released as a single in September 1977 as the title track from Parton's album of the same name, topped the U.S. country singles chart for five weeks, and won the 1978 Grammy award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance; it also reached number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, representing Parton's first significant pop crossover hit.
"Sweet Summer Lovin'" a song written by Bud Reneau and Blaise Tosti, and recorded by American entertainer Dolly Parton. It was released in August 1979 as the second single from the album Great Balls of Fire. "Sweet Summer Lovin'" reached number 7 on the U.S. country charts. It also topped the charts in Yugoslavia.
The singles discography of American country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton includes over 200 singles and touches on eight decades. Parton has released 198 singles as a lead artist, 49 as a featured artist, six promotional single and 68 music videos. Parton also released 21 singles with Porter Wagoner from 1968 to 1980, bringing her total number of singles to 243.
American country artist Loretta Lynn released 86 singles, two B-sides and 14 music videos. Her debut single was "I'm a Honky Tonk Girl" (1960) via Zero Records. Promoting the song with her husband by driving to each radio station, the effort paid off when it peaked at #14 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Arriving in Nashville, Tennessee, that year, she signed a recording contract with Decca Records. In 1962, "Success" reached the sixth position on the country songs chart, starting a series of top ten hits including "Wine Women and Song" and "Blue Kentucky Girl". She began collaborating with Ernest Tubb in 1964 and recorded four hit singles with him, including "Mr. and Mrs. Used to Be". Lynn's popularity greatly increased in 1966 when she began releasing her own compositions as singles. Among the first was "You Ain't Woman Enough " which reached the second position on the country songs list. She then reached the number one spot with "Don't Come Home A-Drinkin' " (1967). This was followed by "Fist City" (1968) and "Woman of the World " (1969).