Dolly Parton Gave a Cheeky Response to Turning 77 and Fans Are Losing It
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Dolly Parton turned 77 last week, and says she “doesn’t have time to age.”
“The time just kind of flew by, but you base it more on what you’ve got ahead of you instead of what’s behind you.”
The country star celebrated the big day by releasing a new song, “Don’t Make Me Come Down There.”
Dolly Parton celebrated another year as the Queen of Country, turning 77 last week. And despite turning one year older (and having sadly announced late last year that her touring days are over), Parton is greeting this new turn around the sun with a refreshing outlook. When asked about aging in a recent interview with Yahoo Life, she admitted that she never thinks about getting older “in terms of years.” Instead, she measures her life in experiences and accomplishments.
“People say, ‘How do you stay so young?’ and I say, ‘Because I don’t have time to age,’” Parton joked in the interview. “That’s really kind of my line, but it’s true … I’m turning 77 and I think, ‘Golly, how did I get that old?’ The time just kind of flew by, but you base it more on what you’ve got ahead of you instead of what’s behind you.”
“I think: I’ve gotta work. I’ve gotta make hay while the sun shines,” she continues. “I have been blessed in my life to have done so many things. They say wisdom comes with age, and if that’s the truth then I ought to be really smart by now because 77 is a big number.”
The star posted a video to Instagram on her birthday, writing: “I decided I’m not gonna get, I’m gonna give.” And did she ever. To celebrate this year, Parton decided to release a brand new song in the hopes of “starting the new year on a positive note.” The new track, “Don’t Make Me Come Down There,” she says is supposed to be from “God’s perspective—wondering what we’re doing with our lives.”
Fans flooded the comments section with birthday well-wishes and love for the singer. One special comment came from Hoda Kotb, who wrote “Happy Birthday-- Gold standard for... well...everything. Love you Dolly. ❤️”
This isn’t the first time the star has opened up about getting older. Just last year, when the country star and philanthropist celebrated her 76th birthday, Parton said, “I don’t feel old.” At the time, she said, “In my mind, I remember my life was in a great spot when I was 35 years old, and I remember at that time thinking, ‘This is a great time in my life.’ So I chose to just kind of think like I’m 35 all the time in my mind. No matter what the numbers say. Numbers lie.”
Over the years, Parton has shared countless “Dolly-isms” that she lives by, and her fans always want to know more of her secrets to living such a fruitful life. “People are always asking me for words of wisdom or some Dolly-isms or whatever they call it,” she tells Yahoo Life. “There’s that saying of ‘to thine own self be true,’” she says. “You’ve gotta know who you are and believe in your talents and whatever it is you’re trying to promote or do. Don’t let your fear hold you back.”
Parton’s actions have proved in the past that she doesn’t let fear stand in the way of what she believes. “I have a saying that my desire has always been greater than my fear,” she says. “Even if I am scared to death about something I think, ‘Well, if I don’t try it, I’m never going to know and what’s the worst that could happen?’ I’ll just try something else or I’ll try again later.”
“It’s not like somebody’s going to kill you or anything [if you fail]. You’re just going to try, so don’t be afraid to try,” she adds. “Try to do whatever you think is right. And it’s OK to fail. If you fail, get up and try again.”
We can’t wait to see what’s in store for the icon. Happy birthday, Dolly!
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