Kesha joined the long list of public figures and fans who have paid tribute to Dolly Parton.
The “TikTok” singer honored the late music icon on stage during a tour stop just outside of Pittsburgh. While others penned emotional tributes on social media, she took a different approach, honoring the country icon through a shared song.
Kesha had a long-time relationship with Dolly Parton before her death on August 25. They performed songs together and collaborated on the rapper’s album “Rainbow.”
Kesha paid her respects to Parton at a concert just a few hours after it made headlines that the country singer had passed away. She took the stage at a Freedom tour stop at the Pavilion at Star Lake Venue just outside Pittsburgh, singing a song that tugged at many heartstrings.
The “Die Young” singer’s mother, Pebe Serbert, co-wrote Parton’s 1980 hit “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You.” Although the song was originally released by Joe Sun in April 1978, it was popularized by the Grammy Winner’s cover.
It made perfect sense for the song to be Kesha’s pick, as she has a close familial connection to the late performer. Taking the stage, the 39-year-old rapper informed the crowd that she comes from a “long lineage of songwriters,” noting that her mom collaborated with Parton to write the country tune before she was born.
Kesha added that working with the Seiverville native made her feel like God was on her side during one of the toughest times of her life. “So, in honor of her incredible legacy and a beautiful life, I’d like to sing the song that my mom wrote for her,” she said before singing the hit.
The ‘TikTok’ Singer Honored Parton With The Song That ‘Bought Us A House’
Footage of the heartfelt moment, obtained by Entertainment Weekly, showed Kesha saying kind words about the late performer before she sang the 1980 hit.
“I’m sure many of y’all know that we lost Ms. Dolly Parton. We literally lost an angel. Through her art and through her kindness and through her love, she will live forever,” she told the audience.
Kesha also revealed that her mom’s collab with Parton went a long way for their family. Besides creating the country tune that became loved by many, the song affected her life in other ways.
“That song bought us a house with a roof. That song put me through school,” Kesha said before singing while a large portrait of Parton was displayed on the screen behind her.
Kesha And Dolly Parton Performed The Same Hit Nearly A Decade Ago
Parton and Kesha sang a version of “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You” as a duet on her chart-topping album “Rainbow” in 2017. Singing with the late country music icon was a dream come true for Kesha, who had looked up to the late performer for years.
In a 2017 release by Rolling Stone, Parton spoke about what it felt like to collaborate with the young, talented artist on her album. “I know [Kesha] because of her mother,” Parton said of Sebert, the Nashville songwriter who originally co-penned the popular country tune. She noted that it was one of her favorite songs of all time.
Parton also recalled the moment when she said yes to Kesha’s invitation to re-cut the song for her “Rainbow” album. At the time, the 80-year-old wondered why Kesha chose that particular song.
“Why did you choose to do that song? That’s an unusual choice for you,” Parton recalled asking young Kesha, who replied, “Well, because my mother wrote it,” and the rest is history.
Working With The ‘Jolene’ Singer Was A Dream Come True For Kesha
Kesha talked about her “Rainbow” album with NPR, shedding light on all the songs and the stories behind them. She shared her experience with the songwriting process and the inspirations she drew on to bring her thoughts for the album to life.
Speaking of “Old Flames,” Kesha emphasized how much she loved the song, which had become part of her family, seeing that her mom co-wrote it. “It has always been a dream to record it with Dolly Parton,” she added, adding that it was “a really, really, really big deal” for her that Parton agreed to be featured on the project.
Kesha added that the late country star had influenced her in ways beyond music. She shared that she asked herself, “What would Dolly do?” whenever she had to make a choice, including during interviews. The rapper noted that she even considered getting a tattoo with the saying on her hand.
Kesha Previously Said Dolly Parton Was Her ‘Guiding Light’
Kesha opened up in an exclusive interview with Rolling Stone a few years ago, admitting that she thought of Parton as someone too cool to be real. “It was almost like when you talk about unicorns. I remember as a little kid, it was like she was this fable, like untouchable, unhuman, just bada-s.”
She added that she worshiped the late singer growing up, and this fueled her decision to never make any music Parton would not enjoy, listen to, or find humor in. “She’s so much of a guiding light, and she has no idea,” Kesha said of the “Coat of Many Colors” singer in the interview.
Kesha also praised Parton as a talented, fabulous, and hilarious person who, despite her great success, maintained a kind personality. The rapper also told the outlet that if she ever gets married, she would want to have her nuptials at Dollywood because it was “the happiest place on earth.”
RIP, Dolly Parton!