‘Shattered Image’: The Dolly Parton song that came from a place of hate
As a revered and cherished icon in country music, Dolly Parton stands as one of the genre’s most celebrated figures, having made monumental contributions that have shaped its history. Parton emerged during the late 1960s and early 1970s, a period dominated by male voices in country music. Her success defied gender norms, demonstrating that women could attain remarkable success in a field traditionally monopolised by male artists.
From the career-defining anthem ‘9 To 5’ to the deeply touching narrative of ‘Coat of Many Colors’, Parton’s musical genius effortlessly merges charming pop sensibilities with the introspective, romantic storytelling of country music. ‘Jolene’, a quintessential example of this fusion, narrates the poignant tale of a woman pleading with another not to steal her lover away.
In 1974, Parton penned ‘I Will Always Love You’ as a farewell to her longtime collaborator, Porter Wagoner, marking her transition to a solo career. While renditions by Linda Ronstadt and Whitney Houston catapulted the piece to new heights, Parton’s rendition remains cherished for its heartfelt delivery as she delicately navigates the song’s emotionally resonant lyrics with her signature crooning style.
In 1976, Parton unveiled All I Can Do, her final album to feature any collaboration with Wagoner. During this period, her discontent with the media surged, prompting Parton to express her indifference and frustration towards their sensationalised narratives vocally. In response, she penned ‘Shattered Image’, a defiant track aimed squarely at the tabloids, delivering a powerful rebuke.
Addressing the damage done to her reputation, she wrote the words: “If you live in a glass house, don’t throw stones / Don’t shatter my image ’til you look at your own / Look at your reflection in your house of glass / Don’t open my closet if your own’s full of trash / Stay out of my closet if your own’s full of trash.”
Although, for the most part, Parton became skilled at brushing off fabricated nonsense, the times that she did address the nature of the media were telling. As she recalled in her book, Songteller: “There are a lot of stories about me in the tabloids. I always say that they are based on some thread of truth, but usually, it’s so frayed by the time they get done with it, you don’t hardly even recognise it.”
Continuing, she added: “I don’t mind what they say about me as much as I do when it hurts other people I know. I hate that. I can handle it myself. But I hate it when they drag other people into it. I love the tabloids. I read them all. They’re fun to read. I believe everything they write about everybody. Except me!”
Something about the song evidently followed her around, as she chose to re-record it in 2002. However, this wasn’t solely for her gain, as she revealed to CDNow. For Parton, revisiting the tune was her way of extending her support to others. “It’s not just about stars and the tabloids,” she said, “It’s about your next-door neighbour. It’s like everybody’s always throwing rocks at you, living in their own glass houses.”
Listen to the track below.
