This Monday, January 19, marks a significant milestone as country music legend Dolly Parton celebrates her 80th birthday. To commemorate this special occasion, Parton has released a new rendition of her classic hit, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning.” This song, first introduced in 1977, embodies a powerful message of hope and has been reimagined through an exciting collaboration with several notable female artists, including Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire, Queen Latifah, and pop sensation Miley Cyrus.
All proceeds from the new track and its accompanying video will be generously donated to pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tennessee. This charitable initiative reflects Parton’s commitment to giving back, as she teased the song, its collaborators, and the cause on her Instagram earlier this week.
In her emotional statement, Parton shared her thoughts on the significance of the song: “I wrote ‘Light of a Clear Blue Morning’ during a season when I was searching for hope, and 50 years later that message still feels just as true. As I celebrate my 80th birthday, this new version is my way of using what I’ve been blessed with to shine a little light forward, especially by sharing it with some truly incredible women.”
The original version of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” appeared on Parton’s 1977 album, New Harvest…First Gathering, where it achieved notable success, reaching #11 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and #87 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Miley Cyrus’ inclusion in this collaboration is particularly special, as she is Dolly Parton’s goddaughter. This close familial bond has been highlighted throughout their relationship, with Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley’s father and a longtime friend of Parton, choosing her for this cherished role. The two have shown the depth of their connection through numerous collaborations over the years, including performances of “Rainbowland” on Cyrus’ album Younger Now in 2017, “Christmas Is” on A Holly Dolly Christmas in 2020, and a recent reinterpretation of “Wrecking Ball” for Parton’s 2023 album Rockstar. In a heartfelt tribute to her godmother, Cyrus even performed her own version of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” during a Mother’s Day special on Saturday Night Live in 2021.
Dolly Parton’s birthday and her musical contributions remind us of the enduring power of hope and the impact of charitable endeavors, particularly in support of those in need. This new collaboration showcases not only the artistry of these talented women but also the spirit of unity in the music community.