Dolly Parton leaves secret song 'My Place in History' sealed until 2046 centennial
Following the death of Dolly Parton at age 80 in Nashville, park officials confirmed that an unreleased 2015 track stored in a wooden chest at Dollywood will premiere on her 100th birthday.
The Dream Box vault in Pigeon Forge
Country music singer Dolly Parton left behind an unreleased track titled "My Place in History", locked away in a time capsule to be revealed on 19 January 2046. The scheduled release date marks what would have been the musician's 100th birthday. Wes Ramey, a spokesperson for Parton's Dollywood theme park, confirmed the release timeline to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur following Parton's death at age 80. The recording is stored inside a dedicated vault named the "Dream Box" at the DreamMore Resort, located within the amusement park complex in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Park officials confirmed that the container will remain sealed on the resort grounds until the centennial arrives.
We will release the song on her 100th birthday.
Origin and preservation of the 2015 recording
Parton composed "My Place in History" in 2015, coinciding with the official opening of the DreamMore Resort hotel at Dollywood. Parton had originally inaugurated the theme park at the edge of the Smoky Mountains in 1986, later expanding the property to include hotel facilities. Instead of issuing the track through standard distribution, she placed the recording in CD format inside a wooden chest alongside other personal mementos and keepsakes. Because audio playback technology changes over time, Parton also placed a standalone CD player and a printed instruction guide inside the box. The enclosed manual provides step-by-step guidance on how future listeners should operate the device to play the disc.
- Parton inaugurates the Dollywood theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
- DreamMore Resort opens; Parton writes 'My Place in History' and seals it in the Dream Box
- Parton confirms the locked song and enclosed CD player on The Tonight Show
- Parton passes away in Nashville at age 80
- Scheduled release of 'My Place in History' on Parton's 100th birthday
Television disclosure on The Tonight Show
Parton publicly addressed the secret song during a 2022 appearance on the television program "The Tonight Show" with host Jimmy Fallon. When Fallon asked whether reports regarding a sequestered song in a locked chest were accurate, Parton confirmed the project directly on air.
That is the truth.
During the broadcast, Parton explained that she had included both the disc player and the instructions to ensure the recording could still be played decades later. She added with a wink that the track turned out to be a very good song, admitting that she later felt some regret about keeping it under lock and key. She then called out directly to the applauding studio audience regarding the eventual opening of the chest.
If any of you are still around when they open the box, I hope you like my song.
Global tributes following Parton's death at 80
Parton died on Tuesday in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 80. Her death prompted tributes from prominent artists across rock, pop, hip-hop, and film. Figures offering tributes included Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Eminem, and Jane Fonda. Appraisals of her life noted her progression from childhood in a wooden cabin in the Smoky Mountains to becoming a country music figure known for songs such as "Jolene". Dollywood officials reiterated that the Dream Box and its contents will remain preserved until the scheduled opening on 19 January 2046.
