Dolly Parton's hit song was released in October 1973 and has since been covered by dozens of musicians. She previously said that the ballad was "loosely based on a little bit of truth" by a woman who had a crush on the singer's late husband,

I picked my husband, who I love, and I thought, ‘Well, I’ll write some beautiful song about him,'" said Parton of this 2012 song.

Dolly Parton is one of the most beloved figures in country music, and perhaps in pop culture generally. The prolific singer and songwriter continues to tour in her seventies to sold out crowds, and she’s been performing since her preteens.