Dolly Parton’s ‘Faith’ Is a John Hiatt Cover That Embraces EDM [LISTEN]
The notion that Dolly Parton embraces cultural trends beyond country music is more obvious than ever in her new song “Faith.” The brand-new track, which readers can hear above, is a dance club-ready collaboration with Swedish EDM duo Galantis and Dutch rapper Mr. Probz.
Worlds collide beyond Parton’s involvement in the song, too. “Faith” isn’t a new song or a George Michael cover (as awesome as that may sound); instead, it’s a cover of John Hiatt, the accomplished songwriter-turned-Americana guiding light, and the father of Nashville guitarslinger Lilly Hiatt. Even country fans with no interest in throwing it back to the club music of the '90s will get a kick out of an AutoTuned Parton fitting right in with her collaborators as soon as she chimes in about halfway through the song.
Hiatt’s 1987 composition about allowing others to help you get through life isn’t exactly grounded in scripture, but it does fall in line with Parton’s goal to spread more positivity in trying times.
“This world is just so dark and ugly and awful ... so I'm going to make it my business to try to do songs that are more uplifting, not all Christian-based songs, but songs about better things,” she recently told The Boot and other outlets. “Do better, and have a little more love, a little more light and don’t be so dark and dirty.”
Parton, Galantis and Mr. Probz' "Faith" will be incorporated into Parton’s musical performance at the 2019 CMA Awards on Nov. 13. Parton, Nashville-based Christian duo For King & Country and Christian rocker Zach Williams will perform a medley, which will also feature “God Only Knows” and “Then There Was Jesus.”
Parton is co-host the CMA Awards' 2019 live broadcast with Carrie Underwood and Reba McEntire. In addition to its usual set of awards presentations and big performances, this year, the night is a celebration of women’s historic and contemporary contributions to country music.
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