Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner had a complicated relationship—part mentor, part business partner, and part creative clash. Their years together on The Porter Wagoner Show made country music history, but tensions often ran high behind the scenes.
One of their biggest fights wasn’t over a duet, money, or even her decision to leave the show. It was over a song that Dolly didn’t even record herself. Instead, she gave it away to her close friend Emmylou Harris. And Porter Wagoner was furious.
A Song That Was Never Meant for Dolly
The song in question was “To Daddy.” Written by Dolly in 1975, the heartbreaking ballad tells the story of a woman trapped in an unfulfilling marriage, quietly enduring her husband’s neglect until, one day, she leaves. It’s the kind of song that could have easily been another Dolly Parton No. 1 hit—but Dolly had other plans.
By the mid-’70s, she wasn’t just focused on being a performer; she was determined to prove herself as a serious songwriter. When Emmylou Harris visited the studio one day, Dolly played her “To Daddy.” Harris loved it immediately and asked if she could record it. Without hesitation, Dolly said yes.
The problem? Porter Wagoner said no.
A Battle Over a Song
In her 2020 memoir, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, Dolly recalled the moment Porter confronted her. He was furious that she had given the song away, believing it belonged to their catalog of hits.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing? You can’t give her that song,” he snapped.
But Dolly wasn’t backing down.
“Yes, I can,” she fired back. “Because it’s my song. And because I’m trying to build myself up as a songwriter.”
For You
Porter didn’t see it that way. He saw a guaranteed hit slipping through his fingers—one that could have easily been another chart-topper for Dolly. But for her, this was bigger than one song.
She wanted credibility and recognition for her writing, not just her voice, and giving “To Daddy” to Harris was a step toward that.
It wasn’t just about friendship, either. Dolly believed in Emmylou Harris, who was on the rise in country music at the time. She knew Harris could do something special with the song and was willing to take the risk.
And she was right.
The Song’s Success and the Aftermath
Emmylou Harris recorded “To Daddy” and released it in 1978. It became a Top 5 hit on the country charts, further cementing Harris as one of the genre’s most respected artists. For Dolly, it was another win in her journey toward being recognized as a top-tier songwriter. This title eventually led to her induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
As for Porter Wagoner? He and Dolly continued to have ups and downs until their split became official in 1974. But despite the fights, the disagreements, and the hurt feelings, they never stopped respecting each other’s talent. And in the end, Dolly Parton got exactly what she wanted—recognition as one of the greatest songwriters of all time.
Because, as she told Porter that day, it was her song—and she could do whatever she wanted with it.
Watch the video below to hear the song that sparked it all — and see why Dolly Parton’s songwriting brilliance still resonates today.
