CMT Premiere: Watch Dolly Parton and Linda Perry Collaborate on Moving Version of "What's Up?"
Dolly Parton will release her highly anticipated rock album “Rockstar,” which includes collaborations with some of the most prominent names in rock ‘n roll history, on Nov. 17.
Today, she gave fans another preview of the project, releasing a tender and poignant cover of 4 Non Blondes’ hit “What’s Up?” featuring the band’s singer Linda Perry. A video that Parton and Perry shot in a Nashville, Tennessee, elementary school accompanied the song’s release.
“First of all, I love Linda Perry,” Parton said in a press statement. “Second of all, I love this song written by Linda. Third of all, I love being a part of this video to try to make people think about what’s going on in this world today. Shout out to the little children that helped with the video! If our children don’t make it, then what will? Again, I ask, ‘What’s Up?’ Enjoy.”
The music video for the new single will premiere worldwide via MTV and CMT/CMT Music/CMT on Pluto TV (check local listings for times), as well as on the iconic Times Square billboard. The “What’s Up?” clip will be released via YouTube and all other streaming platforms beginning 10 a.m. ET Saturday.
Perry wrote the original version of “What’s Up?” Steve Summers directed the video and NOZ Entertainment produced the clip.
The women filmed the thoughtful video footage at Eakin Elementary School in downtown Nashville on one the hottest days of the year.
“How is one supposed to react when the greatest and most prolific songwriter in the world wants to cover a song YOU wrote?” Perry said in a statement. “Her version of ‘What’s Up?’ is so good. Her spin on it made me feel like it was her song. No surprise there. Being on set making the video was a comfortable, easy experience. The vibe on set was chill, and Dolly and I got to catch up and laugh a lot. I could go on and on, obviously, I’m a fan!”
Below are additional airdates for MTV & CMT programming featuring Dolly and her upcoming Rockstar album:
MTV FRESH OUT LIVE DOLLY WHAT’S UP PREMIERE
Airs: Friday 9/22 at 5pm ET on MTV
CMT HOT 20
11/11 9:00am eastern
11/12 9:00am eastern
*As part of the “Mixible” channel on Paramount +
MTV FRESH OUT LIVE DOLLY ROCKSTAR
Airs: Friday 11/17 at 5pm ET on MTV
DOLLY PARTON: I WANT MY MTV
MTV Music US
Premiere 11/17
MTV Music UK
Premiere 19:00 on 17th November
MTV Live Intl
Premiere 19:45 on 17th November
MTV UK
Premiere on 17th November
MTV Live US
Prem time 20:00 ET on 17th November
MTV GERMANY
Prem time 21:30 CET on 17th November
MTV FRANCE
Prem time tbc on MTV Hits on 21st November
CMT AUSTRALIA
Friday 17th November – 3pm – 6pm
DOLLY PARTON: I WANT MY MTV DIGITAL EXCERPT
LIVE ONLINE: 11/17
DOLLY PARTON SPOTLIGHT
11/17, MTV LIVE
Fans can pre-order an array of Rockstar vinyl and CD box sets via Parton’s website.