"Here I Am" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. The song was included on her 1971 album Coat of Many Colors. It was recorded on April 27, 1971, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, and produced by Bob Ferguson.
| "Here I Am" | |
|---|---|
| Song by Dolly Parton | |
| from the album Coat of Many Colors | |
| Released | October 4, 1971 |
| Recorded | April 27, 1971 |
| Studio | RCA Studio A, Nashville, Tennessee |
| Genre | Country |
| Length | 3:19 |
| Label | RCA Victor |
| Songwriter(s) | Dolly Parton |
| Producer(s) | Bob Ferguson |
Personnel
editAdapted from the album liner notes[1] and RCA recording session records.[2]
- David Briggs – piano
- Jerry Carrigan – drums
- Pete Drake – steel
- Bobby Dyson – bass
- Bob Ferguson – producer
- Johnny Gimble – fiddle
- Dave Kirby – guitar
- George McCormick – guitar
- Mack Magaha – fiddle
- The Nashville Edition – background vocals
- Dolly Parton – lead vocals, writer
- Hargus Robbins – piano
- Billy Sanford – guitar
- Jerry Shook – guitar
- Buddy Spicher – fiddle
- Buck Trent – electric banjo
2018 version
edit| "Here I Am" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Dolly Parton and Sia | ||||
| from the album Dumplin' | ||||
| Released | September 14, 2018 | |||
| Recorded | 2018 | |||
| Studio |
| |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 4:32 | |||
| Label |
| |||
| Songwriter(s) | Dolly Parton | |||
| Producer(s) | Linda Perry | |||
| Dolly Parton singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Sia singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Here I Am" on YouTube | ||||
In 2018 Parton re-recorded the song as a duet with Australian singer-songwriter Sia for the soundtrack to the 2018 Netflix film, Dumplin'. It was produced by Linda Perry and released as the first single from the soundtrack on September 14, 2018.
Critical reception
editUpon its release the single received positive reviews from music critics. Writing for Rolling Stone, Althea Legaspi said Parton and Sia's "voices meld together, giving it a hymnal quality, buoyed by gospel-styled choir backing vocals."[3] In a review for NPR Lars Gotrich noted the song's slower tempo compared to the original 1971 recording, calling the single "a gospel-infused statement of purpose."[4]
On a list of the 50 best Dolly Parton songs, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Here I Am" at number 25, calling the Sia collaboration a beautiful amplification of the "desires and assurances of the original."[5]
Commercial performance
editThe single sold 10,000 copies during its first week of release.[6] It debuted and peaked at No. 37 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Music video
editThe music video for the song was released on November 2, 2018. Neither Parton nor Sia appear in the video which follows a mourner visiting a grave, a homeless man begging for change, a child cowering in fear as her mother is abused, and an elderly woman sick in bed. It focuses on the evolution of the characters introduced at the beginning, and leaves viewers with an uplifting message of hope.[7]
Personnel
editAdapted from the album liner notes.[8]
- Chris Allgood – mastering assistant
- David Angell – violin
- Sean Badum – string recording assistant
- Avery Bright – viola
- Billy Bush – mixing
- David Davidson – violin
- Luke Edgemon – background vocals
- Damon Fox – piano, B3 organ, electric guitar
- Luis Flores – assistant engineer
- David Goldstein – drums
- Austin Hoke – cello, string arrangements
- Emily Lazar – mastering
- Briana Lee – background vocals
- John McBride – string recording
- Billy Mohler – bass
- Emily Nelson – cello
- Dolly Parton – lead vocals
- Linda Perry – producer, engineer
- Eli Pearl – electric guitar, acoustic guitar
- Sia – lead vocals
- Maiya Skykes – background vocals
- Katelyn Westergard – violin
- Kristin Weber – violin
- Kristin Wilkinson – viola
Charts
edit| Chart (2018) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[9] | 37 |
References
edit- ^ Parton, Dolly (2007). Coat of Many Colors liner notes. Legacy Recordings.
- ^ "Praguefrank's Country Discography 2: Dolly Parton, part 1". Praguefrank's Country Discography 2. February 6, 2016. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ^ Legaspi, Althea (September 14, 2018). "Hear Dolly Parton, Sia's Moving New Rendition of 'Here I Am'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ^ Gotrich, Lars (September 14, 2018). "Dolly Parton And Sia Collaborate On 'Here I Am' For 'Dumplin" Soundtrack". NPR.org. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ^ Betts, Stephen (April 5, 2023). ""The 50 Best Dolly Parton Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
- ^ "The Top 30 Digital Country Singles: September 25, 2018". RoughStock. September 25, 2018. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ^ Hermanson, Wendy (November 7, 2018). "Dolly Parton Teams With Sia for Powerful 'Here I Am' Video". Taste of Country. Retrieved July 30, 2019.
- ^ Parton, Dolly (November 30, 2018). Dumplin' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) liner notes. Dolly Records/RCA Nashville.
- ^ "Dolly Parton Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 30, 2019.