Opinion
The country music icon Dolly Parton is speaking out this week to defend her protest song “World On Fire,” explaining that she was “not being political” when she wrote it.
“I write a lot of uplifting songs, but I think ‘World on Fire’ makes a statement because people often say, ‘Oh, I didn’t know you’re political,’” Parton, 77, told Vulture. “And I’ll respond, ‘Look, I’m not being political here. I’m a person in a position to have a voice and this world is going up in flames. Nobody seems to care enough to get out and do something about it.’”
“I’ve written several songs along those lines, but I felt the need to write ‘World on Fire’ to reflect this point in time,” she continued.
“I think this is an anthem for me, where I am in my life right now, and the things I’m worried about — which are the same things we all need to be worried about and I’m sure we are.”
Not stopping there, Parton proceeded to double down.
“Who’s going to rise up, who’s going to try to make a change, and what are we going to do to make a difference? What I do best is write and sing and get out there and preach my gospel in my own way,” she said, adding that while “World On Fire” is “catchy,” the song was also written
“to draw people’s attention to things.”
“You don’t know how much, or if anything, is a help,” she explained. “But when you’re like me, when your heart is tender and you care about human beings and our civilization – the world in general – you feel helpless if you don’t do something.”
Parton then pointed out that she’s never been an openly political person.
“I’m not one to be marching in the streets with a sign or holding a gun or a knife, but my words are my tools and my weapons,” she stated. “I try to draw attention, point a finger, and throw some light on dark situations. And I’ll continue to do that. I’ve tried to do that all through the years, even with songs like ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ or ‘Better Get to Livin’. I’m always trying to say, Hey, rise up. Look up. Do better.”
“I worry about human beings,” she continued. “I have a lot of fans on both sides – Republican, Democrat and straight down the middle. They can’t have Christmas dinner together because they’re having a fight at the table!”
Last month, Parton told Far Out Magazine that “[world leaders are] not really concerned about us – they’re concerned about position. And I wasn’t getting into that world of politics any more than to say, ‘Hey people, wake up!’ This is the only world we got. We’ve gotta take care of it.”
In a world where so many celebrities are radically liberal, Parton has always been someone who can bring everyone together. What do you think about her new song? Let us know in the comments section.
