Country legend Dolly Parton has once again surprised the music world with her soulful, emotionally charged take on the Motley Crue classic “Home Sweet Home”, and rocker Nikki Sixx can’t stop talking about it.
The collaboration came after both artists featured on Dolly’s 2023 rock-inspired album Rockstar. While in Nashville recording “Bygones” with Rob Halford and John 5, Sixx also joined Dolly in the studio for a fresh rendition of the 1985 power ballad. He recently told Forbes how Dolly’s commitment and insight transformed the song — and blew him away.
“I’m pinching myself, like a kid who came from Idaho on a Greyhound with a dream,” recalled Sixx. And when the director asked Dolly to sing it again — eight more times — she said “absolutely”. Her manager joked she would “outwork everybody in this building” until it was perfect.
Nikki was especially moved by Dolly’s explanation of the lyrics:
“When you’re young, you want to get as far away from home as possible… then once you get there, it’s the journey of getting back to your roots.”
Sixx admitted it was the first time someone had explained his own lyrics so clearly. For him, it was a career high moment:
“Dolly comes on and re‑ignites the song in a way that doesn’t lose what it’s originally all about — yet also kind of updates it.”
WHY THIS COLLABORATION MATTERS:
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Heartfelt reinterpretation: Dolly’s performance adds depth, perspective, and a fresh emotional layer to a beloved rock anthem.
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Cross-genre magic: It bridges rock and country in a way only Dolly — the Queen of crossover — can.
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Shared artistry: Dolly’s work ethic and clear lyrical insight gave Sixx a renewed appreciation for the power of songwriting.