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45 single, Side A. RCA (PB-13819) (1984)
Image credit: boyjohn at 45cat.com
"Tennessee Homesick Blues" is a single by Dolly Parton. It was released on May 14, 1984, by RCA Records as the first single from the Rhinestone soundtrack album. The song was written by Dolly. It was produced by Mike Post and Dolly. The single peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, becoming Dolly's eighteenth song to top the chart. ​It was nominated for Best Country Vocal Performance, Female at the 27th Annual Grammy Awards.

Track listing

Side A
  • Tennessee Homesick Blues (Single Edit)* (Dolly Parton) 3:26
Side B
  • Butterflies (Dolly Parton) 3:21

* The single edit of "Tennessee Homesick Blues" omits the audience applause that is present on the album version.

Recording

Both sides of the single were recorded at Smoketree Ranch in Chatsworth, Los Angeles.

Audio

Critical reception

The single was reviewed in the May 28,1984 issue of Cashbox magazine. The review said, "Tennessee Homesick Blues" is the first-released single off the upcoming Rhinestone soundtrack featuring Dolly Parton and Sly Stallone. The highest debuting song on this week's chart, coming in at #61 bullet, is a self-written tune relating some of Ms. Parton's lifestyle and longings. The upbeat tune produced by Parton and Mike Post offers a yodeling intro, tasty backing harmonies and Parton's own vocals as strong as ever."
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Cashbox review, May 28, 1984.

Commercial performance

"Tennessee Homesick Blues" debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated June 9. It peaked at number one on the chart dated September 8, its fourteenth week on the chart. The single charted for 20 weeks. It also peaked at number one in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.

Personnel

Credits are adapted from the Rhinestone liner notes. ​The album liner notes do not give credits for individual tracks, so the credits below are for the album as a whole.
Performance
  • Mike Baird – drums
  • Dennis Belfield – bass
  • John Bidasio – steel guitar
  • ​John Coux – guitar
  • Richard Dennison – background vocals
  • Linda Dillard – background vocals
  • David Lindley – fiddle
  • Tommy Morgan – harmonica
  • Larry Muhoberac – piano​
  • Willie Ornelas – drums
  • Dolly Parton – lead vocals
  • Randy Parton – background vocals
  • Herb Pedersen – guitar, banjo, background vocals
  • Pete Robinson – synthesizers
  • Joey Scarbury – background vocals
  • Leland Sklar – bass
  • Ian Underwood – synthesizers
  • ​Steve Watson – guitar
Production
  • Doug Parry – recording
  • Dolly Parton – producer, arrangements
  • Mike Post – producer
  • Ray Sheibley ​– second engineer