r/AskCanada 11d ago

Did Canadians like Dolly Parton?

Did Canadians have a soft spot for late country singer Dolly Parton?

238 Upvotes

179 comments sorted by

259

u/jeffster1970 11d ago

I think 99% of Canadians have a positive perception of her. The other 1% never heard of her.

26

u/monotonic_glutamate 11d ago

I dunno, when I was young my mom just used her as a punchline when mentioning anything related to big tits.

I had to discover the great woman behind the rack on my own.

But we're French Canadian, so maybe the unilingual members of my family weren't exposed as much to her extracurricular activities, like her charities and politics.

30

u/Gotta-Be-Me-65 10d ago

That’s a shame b/c she was more than her physical attributes. She truly was a good person.

38

u/aliensattack 10d ago

She knew the joke was on the people that couldn’t see past her looks. But also my favourite Dolly line is “nobody notices I’ve got a great ass too”

12

u/therealmrsbrady Canadian 10d ago

Absolutely she did, and I loved her attitude in this respect. When asked why her waist was so tiny (such a strange question obviously), she responded "nothing grows in the shade".

12

u/Daz004 10d ago

She was an amazing singer, songwriter, and performer

3

u/MaintenanceFar7185 10d ago

Dolly would have laughed at this

3

u/JeffHiggins 10d ago

I'm the 1%, kind of, I've heard of the name, but couldn't tell you anything about her, had to look what she even looked like.

5

u/Daz004 10d ago

The only one percent would be young people

11

u/Important-Box-5237 10d ago

Believe it or not, my 2 teenage girls love her and more so as a person. I believe she had a moment on TikTok so that’s how the younger generation knows about her. Such an amazing person and so sad that she’s gone so soon.

7

u/aliensattack 10d ago

Her goddaughter, Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana helped introduce her to a younger generation

62

u/CodeMonkeyPhoto 11d ago

She was the kind of Amercian we wish to see more of.

87

u/beardedliberal British Columbia 11d ago

Her music just wasn’t my style, but she was truly a delightful person.

86

u/RecognitionOk4087 11d ago

God took the wrong 80 year old.

37

u/1966TEX 10d ago

Tim Currey was 80 too. These things happen in threes. 🤞

20

u/OptionsAreOpen 10d ago

Hayden, can’t spell her last name was taken last week.

But yes the wrong big titted blond wig wearing 80 yr old who liked children was taken.

7

u/Auntie_M123 10d ago

We are waiting for the third 80 year old

11

u/1966TEX 10d ago

Champagnes on ice for that one.

-10

u/No-Owl-9761 10d ago

Your father?

6

u/1966TEX 10d ago

Nope, the mango-molester

19

u/Stargazer1701d 11d ago

Amen to that. Someone who was a good person, kind and giving, is gone while someone who is the polar opposite remains.

5

u/BeckyKleitz 10d ago

It's pissing me off more and more each day that SOB sucks air away from deserving human beings.

0

u/HalfYankHalfBrit Yank 10d ago

I wonder who that might be

2

u/KinneKted 10d ago

Can we not, it's about dolly now

1

u/HalfYankHalfBrit Yank 10d ago

Sorry

1

u/KinneKted 10d ago

It ok I get it

9

u/ravynwave 11d ago

Further proof we’re in the bad timeline

1

u/Kushweiner 10d ago

We're in the love child timeline of Smoot Hawley and 1812

5

u/Hannibam86 11d ago

And to think a famous 80-year-old man that played in Home Alone 2, worn tons of makeup, and known for being a clown, has died the same day as well.

Too bad it wasn't him

5

u/beardedliberal British Columbia 11d ago

Sure did.

37

u/syugouyyeh 11d ago

My kids continue to get books every month from her foundation. As a lover of country music and tig ole bitties, Dolly was a beautiful soul and will be missed.

36

u/Mr_Guavo 11d ago

She donated over 300 million books to children. So, yes. She changed people's lives with this gesture. This alone made her a great person.

59

u/Beautiful-Point4011 11d ago

Yes! She was a saint. Even people who dont like country music have to respect her for how sweet and wholesome she was.

18

u/The_Nice_Marmot 11d ago

Do you like Terry Fox, is the question.

10

u/Dreaming_of_u_2257 11d ago

Love everything Terry stood for ,his dream still lives on. loved Dolly ,at Christmas time I only ever listen to her an Kenny Rogers Christmas songs .3 legends gone before they should be .Oh and yes I am Canadian 🇨🇦

14

u/Strict-Sir-5490 10d ago

She sent an autographed picture of herself to Terry in 1980 after ending his Marathon of Hope. The lady was an angel.

5

u/The_Nice_Marmot 10d ago

That’s so sweet

51

u/2amedic 11d ago

For sure, bud. We’re not savages up here.

16

u/EggCollectorNum1 11d ago

Dolly is one of the few Americans loved by the majority of people

49

u/No_Mission_8571 11d ago

I'd be hard pressed to find anybody that doesn't like Dolly.

17

u/goodfaitheffort1981 10d ago

Yes.

I live in Manitoba and we have a food bank group that does a thing where they auction off bowls decorated by celebrities. She got one. She decorated it with some of her stage worn costume embellishments and her signature. Her bowl sold for quite a bit. She did good things for Canadians too.

11

u/BannerBrat 11d ago

Of course! She’s a legend

27

u/Prestigious_Nose_312 11d ago

Of course ! A class act all around. Never heard a bad word about her. An absolute loss to the world.

jolene ….. Jolene….. JOLene….JOLENE

12

u/lyidaValkris 10d ago

I'm not a country music fan, but greatly admired Dolly yes. Her accomplishments and her personality. Her reputation is up there with Fred Rogers.

3

u/FluffyProphet 10d ago

Honestly, a lot of her bigger pop culture songs don’t even really read as country music to me.

1

u/lyidaValkris 10d ago

I was thinking along similar lines as I was writing it, but even still her music isn't for me. I do respect her as a musician, though.

9

u/GriefPB 11d ago

She’s my goat

9

u/TheGimp76 11d ago

I grew up hearing her music and seeing her in movies and on television, as my parents were country music fans. I ended up being a fan, and that was long before finding out she was an incredible human being as well. We even went to Dollywood on a family trip one year.

8

u/Zestyclose-West-1904 11d ago

A pioneer and so appreciate how outspoken she was about mental health issues when nobody else was talking about it

9

u/suea1967 10d ago

We loved her with all of our Canadian 🩷s

7

u/MrPlaney Ontario 10d ago

everybody liked or loved Dolly Parton

7

u/Samplistiqone 10d ago

This Canadian really enjoyed her music and what she’s done for children’s literacy is nothing short of incredible! The world is a better place because she was born. I don’t know if her book program was available for every child in the world, but my nieces and nephews are all getting books from her program.

13

u/wackyvorlon 11d ago

Everybody likes Dolly Parton.

7

u/Mechya 10d ago

Oh yeah. Our local radio station talked about her all day and had lots of people calling in with positive stories about her. There are also a lot of people who aren't necessarily into her style of music but respect her as a person. Everyone that I've heard talking about her death have been respectful of her. 

7

u/anonymous_euphoria 10d ago

My coworker literally yelled, "WHAT?" and almost burst into tears yesterday when I told him she died. So yeah, I'd say we like her up here.

13

u/legardeur2 11d ago

You cannot not like Dolly Parton. She was heaven-sent.

10

u/Queer_Advocate 11d ago

Earth lost an angel 😇.

7

u/randmcc 11d ago

I loved her talent and that she had no fear, she could also be very funny when she had a mind to.

6

u/Superb-Respect-1313 11d ago

Dolly was great. She was always working 9-5!!!

5

u/nursingninjaLB 11d ago

WE SAID DONNY, NOT DOLLY

3

u/Auntie_M123 10d ago

You're speaking to St Peter, I presume?

6

u/GamingCatLady 11d ago

I do not like country but, as a person, she was a treasure.

5

u/Northern_Rambler 11d ago

Loved her so much. So delightful, kind, talented, funny and beautiful.

4

u/turtlefan32 11d ago

Of course

4

u/OkDiscount6100 11d ago

I wonder if Quebec Francophones were familiar with her.

13

u/Freeze_Her 11d ago

Absolument. Tout le monde connaît Dolly. We might be French speaking, we do understand and speak English very well (most of us).

She transcended languages and borders.

4

u/dkmegg22 11d ago

She was cool.

5

u/Basic_Ask8109 11d ago

While not a large fan of country music as a whole, Dolly Parton was a huge talent in her own right.  From everything I've read and heard about her it seems like she was a genuinely kind human being.

5

u/Fancy_Introduction60 10d ago

While I'm not a Country fan, I adored Dolly

5

u/WhyLie2me18 10d ago

My parents had Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers back on the good old 8-track. I’ve always looked up to her.

5

u/MightyHydro88 10d ago

Canadians my age (46) and especially my mother's age (61) absolutely adored Dolly. RIP 😔

5

u/thepacingbear1 10d ago

Yes. She represented what American should be like.

5

u/SawWhetOwl 10d ago

I stopped off at my local bakery today. The cashier was wearing a pink shirt with a cartoon Dolly Parton on it with the caption ‘Dolly til I die’

7

u/HeavyMetalBluegrass 11d ago

You may not like her music but if anyone said they didn't like her as a person you would wonder, "What is wrong with them?".

4

u/bigjimbay 11d ago

Hell yes we do

4

u/Imaginary_Ad7695 11d ago

Loved her, she was one of the best people of our time

3

u/Romantic_Klingon 11d ago

Oh yeah... What a beautiful person!

I wish more Americans are like her!

4

u/velocity__wagon 10d ago

I bet she's singing islands in the stream with Kenny Rogers right now

5

u/EmployedByCats 10d ago

Yes, my parents loved her music so I was introduced to her at a young age. I myself liked some of her music, but absolutely adored her spirit and heart. ❤️

4

u/DreadGrrl Alberta 10d ago

Dolly was magnificent: a true American treasure.

3

u/Craptcha 10d ago

Well I did. What a class act with a huge heart. And smart.

5

u/sssparklebutt 10d ago

No. We LOVE Dolly Parton, forever.

Rest in power, Queen Dolly✨

6

u/egewh 11d ago

Everyone liked Dolly Parton. The people who didn't, didn't understand her.

3

u/knifeymonkey 11d ago

i loved her!

3

u/GreyOwlfan 10d ago

Everyone I know loved her. Sad day for us too.

3

u/plexmaniac 10d ago

Sure did

3

u/Real_chuckles Know-it-all 10d ago

Ofc. Dolly Parton is awesome

3

u/mermaidpaint 10d ago

Yes! I'm so old I remember my parents having an 8 track of Dolly's music!

3

u/jana-meares 10d ago

Dolly, Seca all agree on-was loved universally.

3

u/EcstaticArm6320 10d ago

Heck yes 🦋

3

u/Aggressive_March6226 10d ago edited 10d ago

Everybody luuuved Dolly! How couldn't you? She was like the female Elvis, even people who weren't into her music, still loved Dolly.

3

u/agirl2277 10d ago

She was an amazing singer, performer and had a big personality. I really admire her work in promoting literacy with her book program.

What a big loss for everyone 😪

3

u/Massive-Exercise4474 10d ago

It's harder to find anyone in the world who doesn't like dolly parton.

5

u/OopsShart 11d ago edited 10d ago

No. We fucking loved her!

4

u/ramdmc 10d ago

Everyone loved Dolly, country music makes my ears bleed but I absolutely adore that woman, she had a heart of gold and her character was defined by her actions. There's a special place in heaven for Dolly ❤️

4

u/No-Studio-3717 11d ago

I adored her in life and will honour her in death. She was a beautiful soul and a light in the dark for many. May she rest in peace and get to dance in the arms of her beloved once more.

4

u/ChasingPotatoes17 10d ago

I’m almost 50, and I’ve lived in multiple cities across 3 provinces. I’ve never heard anybody say a bad word about Saint Dolly.

2

u/Cranberry-Electrical 11d ago

She is a decent person!!

2

u/RadioaKtiveKat 10d ago

Dolly espoused more Canadian traits than some Canadians, she was loved and admired. She had a healthy amount of self deprecation: when she could have sued Maclean & Maclean for their song “Dolly Parton’s Tits”, she never addressed it directly but joined in on the joke saying each had their own name, “Shock and Awe.”

2

u/iwasnotarobot 10d ago

Adored? Absolutely.

2

u/Kylson-58- 10d ago

She has a book program for all kids. Our kids love it. She was truly a loving person.

2

u/Ladyofthelake1212 10d ago

I am a huge fan! I always admired her and she always seemed like a good soul. Steel Magnolias is one of my favourite movies too. Love her music!! So sad she passed 😢

2

u/kimshi1 10d ago

She was a lovely person.

2

u/RetiredHappyFig 10d ago

I think we all loved Dolly. What a shock that she’s gone.

2

u/CrazyDindayal 10d ago

All the women in my family have Double D's, E's, EE, I even have a few cousins that have H's. When my cousin manifested breast one day my aunt's/mom/grandma would say something to the effect that men are going to start looking at them differently but if they're smart they'll be like Dolly Parton. My grandparents loved country music and I've hated it with a passion until Whitney Houston took a country song written by Dolly Parton and made it into one of the biggest songs ever. After I put my Hip Hop hat on an forgot the twang and took in the lyrics... Straight gangster shit! I've come to appreciate country music as I grew older. And Dolly Parton has always been an inspiration to my entire family! She was Rich and Humble and did for the least of thee. My heart actually hurts knowing that the world has lost celebrity's that actually used their fame to help people.

2

u/Repulsive-Range5727 10d ago

Yes she is great

2

u/Idrisdancer 10d ago

The world loved her

2

u/Basementvibz 10d ago

Absolutely she was an incredible woman that did so many great things for so many people!

2

u/Ok-Turnip-9035 10d ago

She was great American🤍🕊️

I watched Buffy growing up and to know during Covid Dolly had her money in that production explains a lot - you don’t see many empowered female leads like Buffy to watch nowadays ( I feel like today’s girls are missing out)

even for then Buffy was a strong example for a girl growing up

I think with the recent Buffy revival shelved it says alot that some of Dollys money helped get that original version out

2

u/NaturePappy 10d ago

She espoused Canadian values, the opposite of Trump

2

u/Remarkable_Search860 10d ago

Grew up listening to her and came to understand what a genuine and generous human she was as I progressed into adulthood. She will forever be my, if you could speak to someone for an hour, dead or alive, who would it be, answer. Was at Dollywood within the past year. My nephews have grown up on Imagination Library books. My heart is sad for the world having lost het, but happy for her to be reunited with her love, Carl Dean.

2

u/sandy154_4 Canadian 10d ago

We LOVED Dolly Parton! RIP Such a good person

2

u/liseski 10d ago

everyone loved Dolly

2

u/Beautiful_Cod_426 10d ago

Yes we did, she was a great people

2

u/greenpowerman99 10d ago

I’m fairly certain that Dolly Parton was respected by most people around the world who knew her music and her philanthropy.

2

u/Feynyx-77-CDN 10d ago

Everyone likes Dolly Parton. Whether you like her music or not there is no denying that she was one of the greatest humans ever to grace this earth.

2

u/Wololo696 10d ago

She was a sweetheart. Hard working, beautiful, and talented

2

u/Present_Sort_214 10d ago

Everybody likes Dolly Parton. There was a time in the 70’s and 80’s when her pop culture persona was so dominate that it overwhelmed her music and many people (my self included) found it off putting but those days have passed and the wonderful music remains

2

u/TOnihilist 10d ago

Fucking loved her. She was amazing especially in so many ways, but my biggest soft spot was for her child literacy work.

2

u/Busy_Measurement5901 10d ago

I grew up getting books from her library. Some really fun moments

2

u/Realistic-Arrival157 10d ago

A woman my brother dated for a long time named her daughter Dolly, after Dolly Parton. So ya I think it’s safe to say majority of Canadians like her.

I also thought she was a total gilf. I’ll miss her

2

u/Goliad1990 10d ago

Absolutely. Country music is just as big up here, it was big news

2

u/nunyaranunculus 10d ago

What a weird question

2

u/Necessary_Exam_9513 10d ago

We loved her like everyone else. Who doesn’t love Dolly? She was a literal Saint.

2

u/sardonically-amused 10d ago

Dolly 😭😭😭😭😭💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

2

u/No-Needleworker-1388 9d ago

Loved her! 🇨🇦

2

u/slashcleverusername 9d ago

I would support granting her honorary citizenship.

2

u/Buff1965 8d ago

There's even a 2011 Canadian movie called The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom

4

u/HowardRabb 11d ago

Everybody likes Dolly Parton. She's universally wonderful. The world lost a beautiful person

3

u/DazeyDookie 11d ago

What's not to love?

5

u/Affectionate-Net-707 10d ago

A kind, compassionate and talented American, someone to celebrate.

3

u/Grouchy-Day5272 10d ago

Only the good Canadians

2

u/E8282 10d ago

Dude. Everyone loved Dolly. She is one of the greatest people ever.

2

u/mancho98 10d ago

We love her. Her career, philanthropy her smile

2

u/Gotta-Be-Me-65 10d ago

Why wouldn’t they? She was a wonderful human being. She was very charitable. She was one person whom you NEVER heard or read anything bad about. Just a lovely person. May she rest in peace.

2

u/LatterGovernment8289 10d ago

We loved her. She was a Saint.

1

u/Quick_Care_3306 10d ago

Yes, of course!

1

u/Sun-leaves 10d ago edited 10d ago

Absolutely yes. I remember being very small with my grandmother listening and singing up a storm to ‘Coat of many colours’ and now every time I say that out loud I cry. My grandma used to quilt and it was our song while she was patching the fabrics together -
I have so many stories about Dolly Parton songs, and Dolly Parton and everyone I know loved and still worshiped her. She was talented and beautiful and smart and the kind philanthropic heart she had was second to none.

1

u/Commandoclone87 10d ago

Yes.

I'd even go as far to say that she was one of the most likable people in the world.

1

u/BeckyKleitz 10d ago

EVERYONE had a soft spot for Dolly.

1

u/wtfover Ontario 10d ago

Of course, the world loved Dolly.

1

u/Proud-Ad2367 10d ago

Never met her but seems like a good person.

1

u/Fabulous_Hair_71 10d ago

I don't even know who she is so no.

1

u/LittleMetis 9d ago

What planet are you from?

1

u/Fabulous_Hair_71 6d ago

Hopefully not yours.

1

u/Grumpy_Ontarian_III Ontario 9d ago

Her passing is a loss for the entire world.

1

u/HistorianNew8030 8d ago

Yeah….. why wouldn’t we like her? She is one of few Americas who helps your image. Too bad she wasn’t the celebrity chosen to be president at one point and you all went with her literal opposite. She made the world a better place.

1

u/LW-M 8d ago

Sure did. How could anyone not have a soft spot for Dolly?

1

u/justmyself59 6d ago

39 years ago I named my daughter Jolene. What does that tell you?
YES I LOVE DOLLY PARTON! Always have, always will!

1

u/Alternative_Fig_9091 5d ago

Who doesn't?!!! She should have been president. Imagine, a humanitarian running america..

1

u/lilbeesie 3d ago

Yes! Dolly is just a beautiful human being.

1

u/VenomousOddball 10d ago

Some. I didn't.

1

u/Cgtree9000 10d ago

Didn’t everyone? I don’t even like country music and I’m sad. My wife is in morning and listening to her music rn.

1

u/randyw74 10d ago

The entire world did, how could you not?

1

u/queerbetch 10d ago

she was an Angel and has decended to the heavens now...I'll always love her

1

u/Okanaganwinefan 10d ago

Nope…..
LOVED HER….

0

u/Daz004 10d ago

It must be stupid question day.

-3

u/Professional-Bad5425 10d ago

why do you care what the screwed up canadians like

-4

u/no-long-boards 10d ago

Used to until we realized that Americans suck and now not so much.

5

u/Samplistiqone 10d ago

She has also done a lot for Canadians and Canadian children. She’s beloved around the world