From the beginning of her career, Parton celebrated feminist themes throughout her songwriting, including on the country classic Just Because I'm A Woman, where she sings about how a woman should not be judged for having a sexual history.
She sings: "My mistakes are no worse than yours, just because I'm a woman."
1971: Coat of Many Colors
The autobiographical song is about her mother, who made a coat for Parton out of rags, but it led to her being bullied by other kids.
Despite this, she knew the value of the coat and proudly wore it.
Parton sings: "Now I know we had no money, but I was rich as I could be, in my coat of many colours my momma made for me."
1973: Jolene
One of Parton's best-known songs, the hit track has been covered by a string of artists including Miley Cyrus, The White Stripes and Olivia Newton John.
Beyonce also sang a rendition of the song in 2024's Cowboy Carter, adapting some of the lyrics, turning it into a warning call rather than a plea.
Parton said the song was inspired by a bank teller who was flirting with her husband, Carl Thomas Dean.
She told NPR in 2008: "It was kinda like a running joke between us - when I was saying, 'Hell, you're spending a lot of time at the bank. I don't believe we've got that kind of money'. So, it's really an innocent song all around, but sounds like a dreadful one."
1974: I Will Always Love You
The song was written for Porter Wagoner as a final goodbye before she left the Porter Wagoner Show in 1974.
The song was later made famous by Whitney Houston, who sang a rendition of the track in 1992, which went to the top of music charts around the world.
1980: 9 To 5
The hit song was written for the 1980 musical film of the same name in which Parton starred alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin.
Marking her acting debut, the film sees the trio take a stand at work and confront their boss. One thing then leads to another, and they kidnap him and run his business on their own.
The song scored Parton her first Oscar nomination for best original song.
1983: Islands in the Stream with Kenny Rogers
Written by the Bee Gees, the country-pop duet was released during Parton's most high-profile era, with the song going on to become a cult favourite and regular karaoke selection.
1989: Why'd You Come in Here Lookin' Like That
The high-energy honky-tonk song marked her triumphant return to her traditional country roots with Parton pining over someone and struggling to move on.
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