On Aug. 25, Dolly Parton sadly passed away at the age of 80.
I never really listened to Dolly Parton’s music.
Like many students at Front Range Community College, I grew up in a different generation. I knew who Parton was and recognized songs like “Jolene” and “9 to 5,” but her music was never something I regularly listened to. Still, Dolly Parton was one of those people who seemed to be everywhere. Even if you weren’t a fan of country music, you probably knew her name, recognized her voice, or had heard one of her songs before.
My mom was different.
When she heard the news that Parton had died, she cried. Seeing her reaction made me realize that Parton’s death means something even to those of us who didn’t grow up listening to her.
For many at FRCC, Parton may be someone our parents or grandparents listened to. Her music belongs to their memories. Long drives, old records, family gatherings, or simply a song they remember hearing when they were younger.
Music has a strange way of doing that. A song can become connected to a certain period of your life without you even realizing it. Years later, hearing it again can bring back memories of where you were, who you were with, and what your life looked like then.
That is also what makes Parton’s passing relevant to our generation.
FRCC students may not have grown up when Parton was releasing some of her biggest songs, but we have our own artists who have become part of our lives. We have songs connected to high school, friendships, relationships, family members, and moments we may not realize are important until years from now.
Someday, we will hear that one of those artists is gone, and suddenly the music we grew up with will feel different.
Parton also leaves behind more than her music. Over her decades in the public eye, she became known for her personality, humor, and generosity. Her Imagination Library has provided books to children around the world, making her impact something that reached well beyond country music.
That might be part of the reason her death has affected so many people. They aren’t only remembering a singer. They are remembering a person who, in one way or another, had been around for much of their lives.
I never had that connection with Dolly Parton’s music. My mom did, and so did others here at FRCC.
Knowing that she cried reminded me that sometimes you don’t have to be part of someone’s generation to understand what their loss means.
And maybe years from now, when an artist from our generation passes away, we’ll understand that feeling even more.
