b'There are icons, and then there\\u2019s Dolly Parton. The country singer-turned-actress-turned-cultural phenomenon has produced a nearly unparalleled body of\\xa0work, in both quantity (Parton is the sole or co-author of more than three thousand songs) and in legacy. Despite releasing her first album over 60 years ago, Parton\\u2019s songs are still covered and performed live by today\\u2019s pop artists. Presidential candidates are still selecting her songs as official walk-on music. So what is it exactly that makes her music so enduring? Today, we select four essential Dolly songs for dissection and try to answer that big question with the help of composer, longtime radio-maker and host of the new hit podcast, Dolly Parton\\u2019s America--Jad Abumrad. Whether or not you identify as a Dolly Parton fan, or even a country music fan, we think you\\u2019ll love this one.\\nSongs discussed\\n\\nDolly Parton - Dumb Blonde\\n\\nDolly Parton - Down from Dover\\n\\nDolly Parton - Jolene\\n\\nDolly Parton - Light of a Clear Blue Morning\\n\\nKesha - Praying\\n\\nMariah Carey - Hero\\n\\nAndra Day - Rise Up\\n\\nDolly Parton - 9 to 5\\n\\nStevie Wonder - I Wish\\n\\nDolly Parton - Mule Skinner Blues\\n\\n\\nThanks to Jad, producer Shima Oliaee and the rest of the Dolly Parton\\u2019s America team. You can check out the eight episodes they\\u2019ve released so far, and keep an eye out for the final one at www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/dolly-partons-america.\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices'