Dolly Parton is marking her 80th birthday with a new chapter of one of her most enduring songs. The country icon has released a freshly recorded version of “Light of a Clear Blue Morning,” bringing together Lainey Wilson, Miley Cyrus, Reba McEntire and Queen Latifah for a collaborative take that leans into the song’s original promise of resilience and renewal.
The reimagined track arrives ahead of Parton’s January 19 birthday and is out now, accompanied by a music video. Proceeds from the single and video will benefit pediatric cancer research at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville. This continues Parton’s long-standing commitment to philanthropy tied directly to her creative work.
First released in 1977 on New Harvest…First Gathering, “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” reached No. 11 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles chart and has since become one of Parton’s most quietly powerful compositions. Written during a period of personal uncertainty, the song has endured as a gentle declaration of hope rather than a grand anthem. That tone remains intact here, even as the arrangement expands.
The new recording features David Foster on piano and background vocals from The Christ Church Choir, adding a measured sense of scale without overpowering the intimacy of the lyrics. Produced by Parton alongside Kent Wells and mixed by Chris Lord-Alge, the track allows each collaborator space while maintaining Parton’s voice as the emotional anchor.
Each featured artist shares a personal or professional history with Parton. Cyrus, her goddaughter, has previously collaborated with her on “Rainbowland” and “Wrecking Ball.” McEntire and Parton revisited “Does He Love You” together, while Wilson joined Parton for a Judds tribute recording. Queen Latifah reunites with Parton after their onscreen collaboration in the 2012 film Joyful Noise.
Beyond this release, Dolly Parton continues to extend her influence across music, publishing and live performance, with projects ranging from her upcoming Songteller Hotel to the touring symphonic experience Threads: My Songs in Symphony. At 80, this collaboration feels less like a retrospective and more like a reminder of how her songwriting continues to travel forward, carried by voices across generations and genres.
Watch the official music video below:
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