Dolly Parton knows a thing or two about covers…usually with people taking her own songs and making them into their own. Take “I Will Always Love You” for instance. Parton wrote and recorded the song in 1973 for her mentor Porter Wagoner, but it was Whitney Houston who took the song to its greatest heights as the ostensible theme to The Bodyguard in 1992.
Now, on her new album Blue Smoke, it’s time for Dolly to take a classic rock anthem and make it all her own with her cover of Bon Jovi’s “Lay Your Hands On Me,” first recorded by Jon and the boys in 1988 for the album New Jersey.
Parton’s take is a lot more Sunday morning go-to-meetin’ than Saturday night arena rock.
Speaking with Billboard about her decision to include the song on the new album, Parton said, “I heard that song years and years ago when it first came out. I thought it would make such a perfect Gospel song. I grew up in the Pentecostal Church, where we believed in laying hands on people and praying for them. I called Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora, and asked if they would be ok with us turning it in to a Gospel tune. They threw in their two cents worth, and we all kind of put it together. They’re real proud if it, and so am I. That’s one of my favorites of the album.”
And now check out the original Bon Jovi recording. Which one do you like best? Let us know in the comments section below.
The Latest From SUNNY
[archives]