“I’m Trying to Be Better”: Dolly Parton Reveals She’s Still ‘Jealous’ of ‘Best Friend’ Porter Wagoner After More Than 10 Years of Collaboration and 23 Hit Songs

Even the most legendary partnerships come with their share of harmony and heartbreak—and few in country music history embody that truth quite like Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner. In a candid new interview, the country icon opened up about her long, complicated friendship with Wagoner, revealing that even after decades of success and healing, she still feels a twinge of “jealousy” toward her late mentor and duet partner.

“I’m trying to be better,” Parton admitted. “But I’ll tell you the truth—sometimes, I still get jealous of Porter. He was one of a kind, and I still feel like I’m competing with his memory.”

A Partnership That Changed Country Music

When a 21-year-old Dolly Parton joined The Porter Wagoner Show in 1967, she was a rising star still finding her footing in Nashville. Wagoner, already an established name, welcomed her as a co-star and duet partner, and together, they struck musical gold.

Over the next decade, the pair recorded 23 hit songs and became one of country music’s most beloved duos, performing timeless classics like “The Last Thing on My Mind,” “Just Someone I Used to Know,” and “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me.”

Their chemistry was undeniable — both musically and personally.

“We were like fire and gasoline,” Dolly recalled with a laugh. “We loved each other, but we could argue for hours. He’d push me, I’d push back, and somehow that friction made the music better.”

But behind the laughter and hits, their creative partnership was marked by tension.

“I was growing, writing my own songs, and Porter didn’t always like that,” she said. “He wanted to protect what we had, but I needed to find out who I was outside of him.”

The Song That Said Goodbye

In 1973, as Dolly prepared to leave Wagoner’s show to launch her solo career, she wrote “I Will Always Love You.” What began as a farewell message to her partner became one of the most emotional and enduring songs in music history.

“That song was my way of saying goodbye without breaking his heart,” she reflected. “I meant every word. I loved him deeply, even when we couldn’t get along.”

The song’s impact reached far beyond their story — covered later by Whitney Houston and becoming one of the most iconic love songs ever written. Yet, for Dolly, it remains forever tied to that bittersweet chapter of her life.

Love, Loss, and Legacy

Wagoner passed away in 2007, but Dolly says she still feels his presence — and occasionally, the same stubborn mix of admiration and frustration that defined their friendship.

“There’s a part of me that still wants to call him up and argue about something,” she said with a smile. “That’s what friendship is—messy, loud, full of love, and sometimes full of jealousy.”

Despite their creative clashes, Dolly insists her gratitude outweighs any lingering tension.

“He believed in me before the world did,” she said. “Porter gave me a stage, and I gave him my heart in songs. I guess that’s why it still hurts a little—I’m still learning to share that part of myself without him.”

From Jealousy to Gratitude

Now, after more than fifty years in music, Parton says she’s learned to embrace the emotions that once confused her.

“I think the best way to honor Porter is to keep singing,” she said. “Because every time I walk onstage, a little part of him is right there with me.”

Her honesty offers a rare glimpse into the vulnerability behind her public poise — and reminds fans that even icons wrestle with the complexities of love, loss, and legacy.

In the end, Dolly’s reflection on Porter Wagoner isn’t a story of rivalry or regret. It’s a tribute to one of the most powerful creative bonds in country history — one built not just on harmony, but on humanity.

“He’ll always be part of my story,” she said softly. “And that’s something I’ll never be jealous of — I’ll always be grateful.”