Dolly Parton was gunning for a No. 1 debut last week with her "Rockstar" album, her very first foray into the rock genre after earning a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Sadly, she failed to score one, and only settled third.
Parton, Drake, and Taylor Swift were in a three-way race to the stop with "For All The Dogs" and "1989 (Taylor's Version)."
Dolly Parton 'Rockstar' Billboard 200
According to Billboard and Luminate, Dolly Parton's "Rockstar" rocked the charts with only 128,000 album equivalent units.
Among those units, 118,500 are composed of physical album sales, driven by various availabilities of editions and formats, including alternative cover arts, a Dallas Cowboys version, and a Tennessee Volunteers edition that included a bonus track. Streaming units and track units composed the remaining sum, with 8,000 and 1,500, respectively.
Despite falling short of her No. 1 debut, which would have been her very first No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, Parton scored her highest charting debut yet in her career.
Before "Rockstar," Parton's highest charting and debuting album was 2014's "Blue Smoke," which arrived at No. 6.
Drake bested Parton's project with a "For All The Dogs" rebound, its second week at the top after debuting weeks ago. Streaming powered the leap to the top as the deluxe version of the album was released, "For All The Dogs Scary Hours Edtion."
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift's "1989 (Taylor's Version)" continues to dominate at the Top 2 as it reaped 138,000 equivalent album units since it was released in October 2023.
READ ALSO: 'Jaw-Dropping' Dolly Parton Wears Cheerleader Outfit at Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Halftime Show
Dolly Parton Forced To Release 'Rockstar'?
Dolly Parton's foray into the rock genre had some people raising their eyebrows.
In 2022, Parton was reluctant to accept her nomination to be inducted at the 2022 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame because she is largely a country-pop artist. However, as the Rock Hall provided a valid explanation of her nomination, she accepted it.
Eventually, Rock Hall voters saw the impact of Parton in the rock genre and inducted her along with Eminem, Lionel Richie, Duran Duran, Pat Benatar Neil Giraldo, and Carly Simon, among many others. (via Pitchfork)
Since then, Parton was admittedly shy in accepting the honor. She then revealed at the time that she was conceptualizing a rock album, thanks to her loving husband who loves rock music.
"Rockstar" was then announced, which is her most star-studded album to date - featuring Mick Jagger, Steve Perry, Steven Tyler, Sting, Stevie Nicks, Miley Cyrus, Melissa Etheridge, Paul McCartney, Ringgo Star, Mick Fleetwood, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, and even Elton John.
READ ALSO: Dolly Parton Praised for Great Vocals and Outfit During Thanksgiving Day Performance - Watch
