Dolly Parton & Linda Perry, What’s Up? | COVERS

In the 29^th edition of COVERS (2025), Dolly Parton & Linda Perry deliver a compelling rendition of “What’s Up?”, originally performed by 4 Non Blondes.

Ah, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established musicians and musicians who may not be as well-known. In the 29^th edition of COVERS (2025), Dolly Parton and Linda Perry deliver a compelling rendition of “What’s Up?”, originally performed by 4 Non Blondes. 

Fresh off her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, Iconic country singer-songwriter Dolly Parton did something she had never done before: she recorded a rock album, titled Rockstar. One of the highlights of her 2023 album is the 24^th track, “What’s Up?”, a cover. Parton collaborated with Hall of Fame songwriter Linda Perry (b. 1965), who originally wrote and sang the gold-certified song with her short-lived rock band, 4 Non Blondes.  Perry plays acoustic guitar and sings on the centerpiece of the song, the unforgettable chorus, supporting Parton’s lead vocals. Kent Wells produced the Parton/Perry rendition.

“What’s Up” begins with gorgeous acoustic guitar, performed by Perry and Wells.  The electric guitar (Jerry McPherson) enters the mix, much like the original.  Among other striking sounds from the instrumental is the organ, which adds some extra spice. Parton sings marvelously with her distinct, beautiful voice.  She sounds more refined compared to Perry’s rawer, rougher-around-the-edges vocals.  Even so, Parton still brings the bite to this 1990s classic, particularly in the timeless chorus:

“And then I say, ‘Hey, yeah, yeah, hey

Hey, yеah, yeah’

I say, ‘Hey

What’s goin’ on?’

Then I say, ‘Hеy, yeah, yeah, hey

Hey, yeah, yeah’

I say, ‘Hey

What’s goin’ on?’”

Of course, Perry provides awesome vocal support during the centerpiece, too.  Beyond the chorus, Parton brings even more oomph during the second verse, offering more playful, high-flying vocals. Ultimately, Parton delivers a well-rounded interpretation of “What’s Up?”.  In her skilled hands,  this rock sounds like it could’ve originally been a country or country-rock song and we would’ve never blinked an eye.

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Dolly Parton » Rockstar » Butterfly Records, LLC / Big Machine Label Group, LLC » 2023

Dolly Parton & Linda Perry, What’s Up?: Covers No. 29 (2025) [📷: Brent Faulkner / The Musical Hype; Butterfly Records, LLC / Big Machine Label Group, LLC; Alan Cordero, Flávia Vicentini from Pexels; AcatXIo, OpenClipart-Vectors from Pixabay]

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