Dolly Parton Died With One Regret About Her Final Encore

If you're a Dolly Parton fan, there's a good chance you know all about the song she chose to put in a vault that will only release in 2045. A pretty cool idea, if ever there was one ... but Parton herself joked that she regretted it. Her complaint? The song was just too good to lock away!

The "Jolene" singer first spoke about her future release during a 2015 appearance on "Today." Discussing the time capsule she'd created to be opened on her 100th birthday in 2046, she shared that one of the items inside was, " ... a song I wrote this year, called 'My Place in History,' and I'm gonna open it when I'm 100." A few years later, though, she joked that she was already champing at the bit. During an appearance on "The Kelly Clarkson Show" in 2022, Parton quipped, "You have no idea how that has bothered me. I wanna go dig that up so bad ... it's a really good song!" She went on to scoff, "I don't know whose damn idea that was." 

It's worth noting that by the time of Parton's comments on "The Kelly Clarkson Show," the scheduled open date seemed to have already shifted in her favor, from being opened on her 100th birthday to her 99th. However, that didn't make things any easier for the singer. She also discussed it on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" in 2022. "I have regretted that, because it was a really good song," she said, smiling. "I'm serious! I keep wanting 'em to let me dig it up and put something else in it that's not as good." Parton finished by telling Fallon's audience in mock defeat, "If any of you are around when they open that box, well, I hope you enjoy my song."

Although Dolly Parton's time capsule and unreleased song may be something many people didn't know about the star, for those who were aware, her death at age 80 is sure to have been extra sad. Responding to the clip of her discussing it on "The Kelly Clarkson Show," one YouTube user noted, "It's gonna be painful to hear this now, may she rest in peace as she truly deserves." However, some found the beauty in the gesture. "Today" show host Kristen Welker gushed, "What an extraordinary final gift she left for all of us."

We can't help but imagine Parton playfully rolling her eyes at the fact that she missed the release of the song, but it is worth noting that she'd already spoken about the possibility that she wouldn't be around to hear it. On "The Kelly Clarkson Show," she'd mused, "They weren't expecting me to be there at all ... and I probably won't be. But I mean, I'm just saying I might be there. Who knows?" Likewise, on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," the country music icon pointed out, "I'll be dead, gone." However, she also hinted that she wouldn't rule out the chances of living that long. "You know me," she quipped. "I might still be hopping."

We know we're not the only ones who wished she could be there the day of the song's release. However, it certainly does give us something to look forward to. Be sure to mark your calendars for the big day in 2045! As for the song itself, we have no doubts "My Place in History" will be just as impactful in two decades' time as Parton was during her lifetime and all the eras of her career.