There are regular musicians, and then there’s Dolly Parton — a once-in-a-generation talent whose impact on music and culture transcends decades. The country superstar, a 10-time Grammy winner, has become synonymous with both heart-wrenching ballads and upbeat anthems, all delivered with her unmistakable voice and signature style. While she recently debunked the internet myth that she wrote “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” on the same day, Parton’s creative genius continues to inspire fans worldwide. Beyond her vocal talent, she is also a gifted guitarist, demonstrating that even with her famously long acrylic nails, she can play with remarkable skill — so much so that her nails themselves earned a credit on one of her albums.
The story of how Parton incorporated her nails into the creative process emerged during a virtual appearance on The Graham Norton Show in October 2020. She was asked about her unforgettable hit “9 to 5,” the upbeat anthem that captured the frustration and resilience of the modern working person. Parton explained that she began writing the song in between breaks on the set of the movie of the same name. Since the breaks could end at any moment, she found herself with little time to retreat to her trailer, so she decided to stay on set and observe her surroundings.
“I would take my nails, because with acrylic nails, it makes like a percussive sound,” she said. “It sounds like a typewriter, too, so I just started to write little words and things that I would see and things that I would think that would fit with that day-to-day nine-to-five job.” This innovative approach meant that the rhythm of her nails striking surfaces became an integral part of the songwriting process, giving the song its distinctive cadence. She even credited her nails on the back of the album, with a simple acknowledgment reading, “Nails by Dolly.” It was a humorous but fitting nod to the unconventional role her nails played in her creative process.
Parton also addressed the challenges of playing guitar while maintaining her signature long nails. She admitted that she taught herself to play with them, but when it came to serious songwriting sessions, she often had to trim them down. “But if I’m really serious about it, I just have to saw them down,” she explained, highlighting the dedication and adaptability that has defined her career. She even joked that the long nails on her right hand doubled as guitar picks, while she had to adjust her left-hand technique to accommodate them. The anecdote underscored Parton’s ingenuity and willingness to adapt her style to suit her craft.
Dolly Parton’s Iconic Talent: How Her Nails Helped Create “9 to 5” and Shaped Her Music
Her ability to perform with long nails is not a new phenomenon. As far back as 1979, Parton demonstrated her skill during an appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, where she played a song while sporting her signature acrylic nails. Clips of the performance, now widely shared on platforms like YouTube, continue to awe viewers decades later. Fans have praised her dexterity, with one commenter noting, “The ability to grab the guitar on a live show and fingerpick skillfully with those nails has earned even more of my respect.”
Parton’s story is more than just a quirky anecdote about nails; it is a testament to her creativity, resilience, and attention to detail. Even small, unconventional elements of her persona — like her long acrylic nails — become part of her artistry, influencing her music in subtle but meaningful ways. Her approach demonstrates that inspiration can come from the most unexpected sources, whether it’s observing the world around her on a movie set or incorporating the percussive rhythm of her own nails into a song.
Beyond her technical skill, Parton’s humility and humor shine through in these stories. She openly shares the challenges of adapting her musical technique to her personal style while maintaining an infectious playfulness about the process. It is this combination of talent, inventiveness, and personality that has cemented Dolly Parton as an enduring icon in the music industry.
Whether it’s the timeless balladry of “I Will Always Love You,” the storytelling brilliance of “Jolene,” or the empowering rhythm of “9 to 5,” Dolly Parton continues to captivate audiences with her artistry. And for fans who may have wondered how she manages her signature look while delivering flawless guitar performances, the answer lies in creativity, adaptability, and, quite literally, her nails. In the world of music legends, few can claim to have made their manicure part of their musical legacy — but Dolly Parton has done just that, leaving yet another mark on her extraordinary career.
Source- Thelist