45 single, Side A. Warner Bros. (7-27970) (1988)
Image credit: ShelterFan at 45cat.com
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"Wildflowers" is a single by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris. It was released on March 14, 1988, by Warner Bros. Records as the fourth and final single from the Trio album. It was written by Dolly and produced by George Massenburg. The single peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
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Track listing
Side A
- Wildflowers (Dolly Parton) 3:34
- Hobo's Meditation (Jimmie Rodgers) 3:18
Background
Dolly said in her 2020 book, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, that she was inspired to write "Wildflowers" when thinking back to her childhood and how she would wander the fields and admire the flowers. She said she knew knew the difference in garden flowers and wildflowers and thought that made a good metaphor for singing about her dreams. She said, "I've always been a wildflower, and I've always loved that song. It's going to live forever, I hope."
Audio
Critical reception
The single was reviewed in the March 26, 1988 issue of Billboard magazine. The review said, "An airy, dulcimer-tinged melody with Parton's bedrock."
Cashbox reviewed the single in their March 19, 1988 issue. It said, What a wonderful, wonderful record! The dulcimer is the accompaniment for Dolly's soft and beautiful vocal on the first verse. Add harmony highlights in the chorus, and a bass beginning the second verse. Now, you have the deceptively simple sound of this production. It's a beautiful little story painted with bright lyrics and a happy melody. It's a perfect combination of folk and country sounds. Dolly does some carefree vocal rambling to fade. Watch this one capture the nation!"
Cashbox reviewed the single in their March 19, 1988 issue. It said, What a wonderful, wonderful record! The dulcimer is the accompaniment for Dolly's soft and beautiful vocal on the first verse. Add harmony highlights in the chorus, and a bass beginning the second verse. Now, you have the deceptively simple sound of this production. It's a beautiful little story painted with bright lyrics and a happy melody. It's a perfect combination of folk and country sounds. Dolly does some carefree vocal rambling to fade. Watch this one capture the nation!"
Billboard review, March 26, 1988.
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Cashbox review, March 19, 1988.
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Commercial performance
"Wildflowers" debuted at number 63 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart dated March 26, 1988. It peaked at number six on the chart dated June 11, its twelfth week on the chart. It charted for 18 weeks. It also peaked at number six on the Cashbox Country Singles chart. The single peaked at number eight in Canada on the RPM Country Singles chart.
Personnel
Credits are adapted from the Trio liner notes.
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"Wildflowers"
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"Hobo's Meditation"
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