Album cover. Dolly / RCA Nashville (88985-48348-2) (2017)
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I Believe in You is the forty-sixth solo studio album by Dolly Parton. It was first released digitally on September 29, 2017, and on October 13, 2017, on CD by Dolly Records and RCA Nashville. The album was produced by Richard Dennison, Tom McBryde, and Tom Rutledge, with Dolly and Paul T. Crouch serving as executive producers. It is Dolly's first album of music for children. All proceeds from the album will benefit Dolly's Imagination Library. The album was originally planned to be released in 2015, following the first release of the single "I Believe in You" as a free download on Dolly's official website. Upon release, the album was met with mixed to positive reviews from critics. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Kid Albums chart, number 20 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, and number 173 on the Billboard 200.
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Track listing
- I Believe in You (Dolly Parton) 2:00
- Coat of Many Colors (Dolly Parton) 2:56
- Together Forever (Dolly Parton) 2:26
- I Am a Rainbow (Dolly Parton) 1:58
- I'm Here (Dolly Parton) 2:27
- A Friend Like You (Dolly Parton) 1:52
- Imagination (Dolly Parton) 2:23
- You Can Do It (Dolly Parton) 1:53
- Responsibility (Dolly Parton) 1:54
- You Gotta Be (Dolly Parton) 1:54
- Makin' Fun Ain't Funny (Dolly Parton) 2:19
- Chemo Hero (Dolly Parton) 2:09
- Brave Little Soldier (Dolly Parton) 2:34
- A Reading of Coat of Many Colors (Dolly Parton) 2:45
Background
The album was originally announced on July 5, 2014, with the release of the title track, "I Believe in You", as a free download on Dolly's official website. The release stated, "All families who receive the gift of Imagination Library books were also presented with a free download of Parton's song, "I Believe in You", that she wrote for the Imagination Playhouse at Dollywood. Eleven additional songs will soon be made available for purchase, with 100 percent of sales supporting the longevity of the Dollywood Foundation."
On October 18, 2016, Dolly re-released her children's book, Coat of Many Colors, based on her hit song of the same name. This new version of the book featured new cover art and illustrations, as well as a free download of the song "Makin' Fun Ain't Funny". This version of the song features different instrumentation than the version featured on the album.
On October 18, 2016, Dolly re-released her children's book, Coat of Many Colors, based on her hit song of the same name. This new version of the book featured new cover art and illustrations, as well as a free download of the song "Makin' Fun Ain't Funny". This version of the song features different instrumentation than the version featured on the album.
Release and promotion
On August 15, 2017, Dolly formally announced the album's upcoming release at a press conference at her management's Nashville office in front of reporters and their children, saying "I love kids and I am so excited. It just seems like the right time [to release a children's album]. Since I'm getting so old, I'm getting back into my second childhood." She also revealed the album's cover and track listing, as well as singing three songs from the album and reading a story to the children.
The album was made available for pre-order on September 15, 2017, along with the release of the album's first single, "I Believe in You".
Following the album's release, Dolly released animated lyric videos for all thirteen of the album's tracks on November 17, 2017.
The album was made available for pre-order on September 15, 2017, along with the release of the album's first single, "I Believe in You".
Following the album's release, Dolly released animated lyric videos for all thirteen of the album's tracks on November 17, 2017.
Critical reception
The album received mixed to positive reviews from critics. James Christopher Monger of AllMusic felt that Dolly's "effusive personality and seemingly ageless voice lend themselves well to the [children's] genre", that her "natural charisma and easy demeanor help keep things from becoming too cloying," and "with all proceeds from the album going to her bookworm charity, it's awfully hard to find fault with any of it." Elizabeth Andrews of The Spill Magazine judged Dolly's first foray into children's music a successful one, and that the album "is a gift to share with parents, kids, the young at heart among us, and anyone needing a bit of a pick-me-up." Drowned in Sound, however, criticized the production of the album, saying it was "as counterfeit as much of Parton's idealized America has been throughout the years, and sounds like it was made on a Casio keyboard for the most part", nevertheless, "there's plenty for children to like about this album and it's hard to turn up the nose at the moral message which is at the core of the songs."
Commercial performance
The album debuted at number 11 on the Billboard Kid Albums chart, and peaked at number three in its third week. It also peaked at number 20 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart in its third week, with 4,800 copies sold.
It has sold 25,500 copies in the United States as of April 2018.
It has sold 25,500 copies in the United States as of April 2018.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album liner notes.
Performance
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Production
- Paul T. Crouch – executive producer
- Michael Davis – arrangement
- Richard Dennison – producer
- Chris Latham – edit engineer
- John Mayfield – mastering
- Tom McBryde – producer
- Dolly Parton - executive producer
- Tom Reeves – mixing, engineer, talent contractor
- Tom Rutledge – producer, engineer, edit engineer
- Nathan Smith – edit engineer
Other personnel
- Robert Behar – wardrobe
- Dennis Carney – cheek kisses photo
- Sarah Chapman – original graphic design
- Trey Fanjoy – album cover photo
- Cheryl Riddle – hair
- S.D. Professionals, LLC – back cover photo, additional photography, original graphic design
- Steve Summers – wardrobe
- Jacob Timmons – additional photography, original graphic design
All children pictured are Dolly's family and friends.
Releases
FORMAT / TITLE / LABEL & CATALOG # / REGION / RELEASE DATE (MM-DD-YYYY)
- Digital download / I Believe in You / Dolly; RCA / Various / 09-29-2017
- Streaming / I Believe in You / Dolly; RCA / Various / 09-29-2017
- CD / I Believe in You / Dolly; RCA 88985-48348-2 / US / 10-13-2017 (jewel case)
- CD / I Believe in You / Dolly; RCA 8 89854 95782 7 / US / 2017 (card sleeve)
2015 Imagination Library version
An alternate version of the album was made available to attendees at the Imagination Library's biennial conference in June 2015. This version of the album features five tracks that were not included on the 2017 retail release.
Album cover. The Dollywood Foundation (promo CD) (2015)
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Dolly Parton
I Believe in You! The Dollywood Foundation (promo CD) June 2015
* Not included on the 2017 retail release. |
Additional images
Left inner-sleeve. The Dollywood Foundation (promo CD) (2015)
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Right inner-sleeve. The Dollywood Foundation (promo CD) (2015)
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Disc. The Dollywood Foundation (promo CD) (2015)
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Back cover. The Dollywood Foundation (promo CD) (2015)
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Additional images courtesy of Mark Wilson.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the album liner notes.
- Sarah Chapman – design
- Paul T. Crouch – executive producer
- Tom McBryde – producer
- Dolly Parton – lead vocals
- Tom Reeves – engineer, mastering
- Jacob Timmons – design
Releases
FORMAT / TITLE / LABEL & CATALOG # / REGION / RELEASE DATE (MM-DD-YYYY)
- CD / I Believe in You / The Dollywood Foundation / US / 2015