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CD single cover. Decca / Blue Eye (DRNDS-72061) (1998)
"Honky Tonk Songs" is a single by Dolly Parton. It was released on July 27, 1998, by Decca Records and Blue Eye Records as the first single from Dolly's thirty-fifth solo studio album, Hungry Again. Dolly wrote the song and produced it with her cousin, Richie Owens. The single peaked number 74 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

Track listing

  1. Honky Tonk Songs (Dolly Parton) 4:32
  2. Paradise Road (Dolly Parton) 3:11

Recording

​Both sides of the single were recorded at Train Traxx in Nashville, Tennessee.

Music video

The single's music video was directed by ​Thom Oliphant.

Critical reception

The single easiest reviewed in the July 25, 1998 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, "In the wake of Rising Tide closing its doors in Nashville, Parton is now calling Decca Records home. She makes a renewed bid for country radio airplay with this first single from her forthcoming album, Hungry Again. The lyric poses the question "Why don't more women sing honky-tonk songs?" It's a cute lyric, and Parton performs it with her usual panache. But the production almost seems to play against the vocals instead of enhancing her unique sound. Parton is gamely courting country radio, and she has lots of fans in that arena. Still, it remains to be seen whether this will be the song that gets her back on the airwaves. If this one doesn't catch fire, there's still hope, as the album is fertile with stronger material."
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Billboard review, July 25, 1998.

Commercial performance

"Honky Tonk Songs" debuted and peaked at number 74 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated September 5, 1998. It charted at number 74 again the following week, concluding its chart run. It also peaked at number 91 in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Hungry Again liner notes.
"Honky Tonk Songs"
  • Mark Brooks – bass
  • Bob Grundner – drums, percussion
  • The Honky Tonk Women – background vocals
    • Lois Baker, Rachel Dennison, Joy Gardner, Teresa Hughes, Jennifer O'Brien, Judy Ogle, Ira Parker, ​Rhonda Vincent
  • ​Johnny Lauffer – piano
  • ​Marshall Morgan – mixing
  • Bob Ocker – electric guitar
  • Richie Owens – acoustic guitar, electric slide guitar, producer
  • ​Dolly Parton – lead vocals, producer
  • Denny Purcell – mastering
  • Tony Seay – mixing assistant
"Paraside Road"
  • Mark Brooks – upright bass
  • Richard Dennison – background vocals
  • Joy Gardner – background vocals
  • Bob Grundner – drums
  • Johnny Lauffer – organ
  • ​Gary Mackey – mandolin
  • ​Marshall Morgan – mixing
  • Jennifer O'Brien – background vocals
  • Bob Ocker – electric guitar
  • Richie Owens – acoustic guitar, Weissenborn guitar, producer
  • ​Dolly Parton – lead vocals, producer
  • Al Perkins – pedal steel
  • ​Denny Purcell – mastering
  • Tony Seay – mixing assistant
  • Rhonda Vincent – background vocals
  • Darrin Vincent – background vocals

Alternate artwork

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45 single, Side A. Decca / Blue Eye (DRNS7 72061) (1998)
Image credit: KSMusicGeeks at 45cat.com