Dolly Parton has shared the latest single off her impending covers-inspired LP, Rockstar, due on November 17 via Butterfly and Big Machine. “What’s Up?” was initially released by 4 Non Blondes and has been considered a staple song to come out of the ‘90s. The tune has been reimagined by Parton and one of the aforementioned band’s original members, vocalist Linda Perry.
Instead of taking a direct approach with the cover, Parton added her own twist on the original to produce an anthem highlighted by her bellow vocals tinged with southern flair. While the country star takes the lead, she’s supported by Perry’s harmonizes during the tail end of the pre-chorus and into the chorus-proper: “And I say, hey-ey-ey/ Hey-ey-ey/I said ‘Hey, a-what’s going on?’/ And I say, hey-ey-ey/ Hey-ey-ey/ I said “Hey, a-what’s going on?”
“First of all, I love Linda Perry. Second of all, I love this song written by Linda,” Parton divulged via press release. “Third of all, I love being a part of this video to try to make people think about what’s going on in this world today. Shout out to the little children that helped with the video! If our children don’t make it, then what will? Again, I ask ‘What’s Up?’ Enjoy.”
Perry returned the praise, sharing, “ “How is one supposed to react when the greatest and most prolific songwriter in the world wants to cover a song YOU wrote? Her version of ‘What’s Up?’ is so good. Her spin on it made me feel like it was her song. No surprise there. Being on set making the video was a comfortable easy experience. The vibe on set was chill and Dolly and I got to catch up and laugh a lot. I could go on and on, obviously I’m a fan.”
Parton’s take on “What’s Up?” is the latest in a steady stream of previews for her Rockstar album, following a take on The Beatles’ “Let It Be,” featuring none other than Paul McCartney and Ring Starr. The forthcoming LP features 30 tracks comprising 21 covers, with the likes of Sting, Chris Stapleton, Debbie Harry, Elton John, John Fogerty, Joan Jett, Steven Tyler, Miley Cyrus, Peter Frampton, and Kid Rock assisting on choice numbers. Parton and company will tackle a wide range of iconic genre-specific anthems, from “Free Bird” to “Purple Rain” and “We Are the Champions.”
Rockstar is available for pre-order here. Stream “What’s Up?” below.
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Rockstar Track List:
1. “Rockstar (with special guest Richie Sambora)”
2. “World on Fire”
3. “Every Breath You Take (feat. Sting)”
4. “Open Arms (feat. Steve Perry)”
5. “Magic Man (feat. Ann Wilson with special guest Howard Lee)”
6. “Long As I Can See The Light (feat. John Fogerty)”
7. “Either Or (feat. Kid Rock)”
8. “I Want You Back (feat. Steven Tyler & special guest Warren Haynes)”
9. “What Has Rock And Roll Ever Done For You (feat. Stevie Nicks & special guest Waddy Wachtel)”
10. “Purple Rain”
11. “Baby, I Love Your Way (feat. Peter Frampton)”
12. “I Hate Myself For Loving You (feat. Joan Jett & The Blackhearts)”
13. “Night Moves (feat. Chris Stapleton)”
14. “Wrecking Ball (feat. Miley Cyrus)”
15. “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (feat. P!nk & Brandi Carlile)”
16. “Keep On Loving You (feat. Kevin Cronin)”
17. “Heart Of Glass (feat. Debbie Harry)”
18. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me (feat. Elton John)”
19. “Tried To Rock And Roll Me (feat. Melissa Etheridge)”
20. “Stairway To Heaven (feat. Lizzo & Sasha Flute)”
21. “We Are The Champions”
22. “Bygones (feat. Rob Halford with special guests Nikki Sixx & John 5)”
23. “My Blue Tears (feat. Simon Le Bon)”
24. “What’s Up? (feat. Linda Perry)”
25. “You’re No Good (feat. Emmylou Harris & Sheryl Crow)”
26. “Heartbreaker (feat. Pat Benatar & Neil Giraldo)”
27. “Bittersweet (feat. Michael McDonald)”
28. “I Dreamed About Elvis (feat. Ronnie McDowell with special guest The Jordanaires)”
29. “Let It Be (feat. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr with special guests Peter Frampton & Mick Fleetwood)”
30. “Free Bird (feat. Ronnie Van Zant with special guests Gary Rossington, Artimus Pyle and The Artimus Pyle Band)”