45 single, Side A. RCA Victor (47-9863) (1970)
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"Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)" is a single by Dolly Parton. It was released on June 22, 1970, by RCA Victor. The song is a cover of the Jimmie Rodgers' 1931 hit song. It was written by Rodgers and George Vaughn. Dolly's version was produced by Bob Ferguson. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. Dolly earned her first solo Grammy nomination for the single when it was nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 13th Annual Grammy Awards. The single would later be included on The Best of Dolly Parton compilation album in November 1970.
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Track listing
Side A
- Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8) (Jimmie Rodgers, George Vaughn) 3:10
- More Than Their Share (Dolly Parton) 2:19
Recording
"Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)" was recorded on May 4, 1970, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. "More Than Their Share" was recorded on October 31, 1969, and was previously released on Dolly's fifth solo studio album, The Fairest of Them All.
Audio
Critical reception
Billboard reviewed the single in their Jul 4, 1970 issue. The review described the song as a "powerful" rendition of the Jimmy Rodgers classic, predicting that it would "spiral up the chart."
The review in the June 27, 1970 issue of Cashbox said, "Dolly Parton comes across with a powerful version of this famous song and she should have one of her biggest hits to date with it. A real good old-fashioned foot-stomper."
The review in the June 27, 1970 issue of Cashbox said, "Dolly Parton comes across with a powerful version of this famous song and she should have one of her biggest hits to date with it. A real good old-fashioned foot-stomper."
Billboard review, July 4, 1970.
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Cashbox review, June 27, 1970.
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Commercial performance
"Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)" debuted at number 60 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated July 4, 1970. It peaked at number three on the chart dated August 29, its ninth week on the chart. The single charted for 16 weeks. It also peaked at number two on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number four in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
Accolades
Dolly earned her first solo Grammy nomination for "Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)". It was nominated for Best Female Country Vocal Performance at the 13th Annual Grammy Awards in 1971.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the 2009 box set, Dolly.
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"Mule Skinner Blues (Blue Yodel No. 8)"
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"More Than Their Share"
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