Giddy Up Dolly: unexpected collaboration for Our Wiggles
The Wiggles have added yet another major international collaboration to their list. And it doesn’t get much bigger than the Queen of Country music.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Country music icon Dolly Parton has joined forces with legendary Australian children’s entertainers, The Wiggles.
Parton has not only penned and recorded a new track titled Friends with the troupe, but also given permission for the Wiggles to put their stamp on her classic hit, 9 to 5.
The Wiggles have reimagined that beloved anthem for kids as “Counting 1 to 5”.
“Well, I just wiggled my way out into the Wiggles’ world,” Parton said.
“I had so much fun being a part of this project, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we have.”
Parton joins a long list of celebrity guests to collaborate with The Wiggles.
Others include Kylie Minogue, Jimmy Barnes, Keith Urban, Guy Sebastian and the Irwins.
She has written another song for the group titled “We Will Always Be Friends”, while The Wiggles have recorded a version of her hit, “Love Is Like A Butterfly”.
“Dolly’s music is pure magic,” original Blue Wiggle Anthony Field said.
“Getting to work with her on these songs is a dream come true. We can’t wait for families everywhere to sing along and share in the joy.”
The project has so far been a remote one with both parties yet to meet in person, although plans are underway with The Wiggles taking their Bouncing Balls Tour to the US later this year.
The songs will feature on The Wiggles new country themed album, Wiggle Up, Giddy Up, that is released on March 7.
Red Wiggle Caterina Mete is especially excited by the collaboration: Parton is one of her musical idols.
Mete has twin daughters, one of whom is named Dolly, the other Gigi. Gigi coincidentally is the name Parton’s nieces and nephews call the singer.
“Getting to work with my absolute musical hero is beyond surreal,” Mete said.
“Dolly has inspired me in so many ways, and I know these songs will bring so much happiness to families everywhere.”
Other international collaborations on the album include Grammy Award winner Orville Peck, country pop singer Dasha and rising star Lainey Wilson. Locally, there’s Travis Collins, Kaylee Bell, Troy Cassar-Daley, Morgan Evans and The Wolfe Brothers.
Even the late great Slim Dusty features on the new album.
Australian dates for the Bouncing Balls Tour kick off in Adelaide on March 22 with Sydney shows from April 26.
More Coverage
Originally published as Giddy Up Dolly: unexpected collaboration for Our Wiggles
What it takes to be an air traffic controller at Sydney Airport
Things can change. Weather can turn nasty, planes can have problems. We take a look at what goes into being an air traffic controller at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith Airport.
Revealed: Where new citizens in ‘industrial-scale stack’ came from
The countries the more than 12,500 new Australians under Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke’s mass citizenship extravaganza have come from can be revealed.