Dolly Parton celebrated her milestone birthday with laughs and new music.
To celebrate her 80th birthday on Monday (Jan. 19), the iconic singer-songwriter shared a new version of her 1977 song “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” and some laughs in a video on Instagram.
“Well, hey there! It’s Dolly, and I’ve made it! I’m 80 years old,” Parton said. “Can you believe that? Anyway, what do you give somebody that’s 80 years old? Well, you don’t take gifts. You give things.”
She added, “I’m gonna give you the gift of a bunch of friends that stopped by to help me sing on a song called ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning,’ a song I wrote years ago. In fact, it’s 50 years old. We did a new version of it, Kent Wells producing it, and then I’m giving you the gift of Queen Latifah, Reba McEntire, Miley Cyrus and Lainey Wilson, with David Foster playing the piano.”
Her original recording of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” appeared on her 1977 album, New Harvest… First Gathering, and reached No. 11 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart that June.
In the Instagram clip, Parton said the new version “really lifts us up this day and time,” noting, Lord knows we could use that, right?”
She also joked about her age, saying, “Anyway, thank you for all the birthday wishes. And I hope I live another 80 years, but I hope I’ve still got my plastic surgeons in line.” With a laugh, the “Jolene” singer added, “Oh Lord, I’ve outlived so many plastic surgeons. Well, happy birthday to me!”
Net proceeds from “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” and its music video will benefit the pediatric cancer research program at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.
Parton previously spoke about her plastic surgery in a 2020 interview with 60 Minutes, according to People.
“I’ve had about all the nips and tucks I can have,” she said. “The good part with me though, I have my own look. I look kind of cartoonish and cartoons don’t really age that much.” She added, “Even when I’m 90, I’ll probably look about the same way — just with thicker make-up and bigger hair.”
Watch Parton’s comical 80th birthday message on Instagram below.
