Album cover. RCA Victor (AHL1-3361) (1979)
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Dolly Parton
Great Balls of Fire RCA Victor (AHL1-3361) May 28, 1979 Side A
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Recording
The album was recorded in Los Angeles, California, at Sound Labs Studio, A&M Recording Studio, and Salty Dog Studios.
Release and promotion
The album was released May 28, 1979, on LP, cassette, and 8-track.
Singles
The album's first single, "You're the Only One", was released on May 14, 1979. It debuted at number 25 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 9. It peaked at number one on the chart dated July 28, its eighth week on the chart, where it remained for a second week. It charted for 14 weeks. 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 on August 6, 1979. "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 debuted at number 46 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated September 1. It peaked at number seven on the chart dated October 27, its ninth week on the chart, It charted for 13 weeks. "Sweet Summer Lovin'" also peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100. It 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.
The second and third singles, "Great Balls of Fire" and "Sweet Summer Lovin'", were released as a double A-side on August 6, 1979. "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 debuted at number 46 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated September 1. It peaked at number seven on the chart dated October 27, its ninth week on the chart, It charted for 13 weeks. "Sweet Summer Lovin'" also peaked at number 47 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart and number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100. It 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.
Critical reception
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 Dolly'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."
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 Dolly "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.
Writing for AllMusic, Mark Deming gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars. He 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."
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 Dolly "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.
Writing for AllMusic, Mark Deming gave the album 3.5 out of 5 stars. He 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."
Billboard review, June 9, 1979.
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Cashbox review, June 9, 1979.
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Commercial performance
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, its sixth week on the chart, 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 chart. In Canada, the album peaked at number one on the RPM Country Albums chart and number 28 on the RPM Top Albums chart. The album also peaked at number 48 in Australia on the Kent Music Report. The album charted at number 34 on the Billboard Top Country Albums year-end chart for 1979.
Accolades
"You're the Only One" was nominated for Song of the Year at the 14th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in 1979.
The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on November 13, 1979, for shipment of 500,000 copies.
The album was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on November 13, 1979, for shipment of 500,000 copies.
Personnel
Adapted from the album liner notes.
Performance
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Production
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Other personnel
- Distorted Reflections – album cover costume
- Ed Caraeff Studio – art direction, photography, design
Reissues
The album was reissued on CD for the first time in February 2007, paired with the 1980 album Dolly, Dolly, Dolly. It was made available as a digital download in March 2007.