Dolly Parton’s Midnight Muse: The Country Star Who Sang His Heart Out at 3 AM
via Dolly Parton / IG
Dolly Parton has long been admired not only for her music but also for her magnetic charm. Even while married throughout her career, she never denied her playful nature, often joking about flirting. At the same time, her allure drew admiration and even obsession from fellow artists.
Among those captivated was Merle Haggard, one of country music’s most influential voices. Haggard was open about the fact that his feelings for Parton went far beyond professional respect. He admitted that his infatuation with her weighed heavily on his mind, to the point where it inspired him creatively.
This obsession reached a memorable high point when Haggard called Parton at an ungodly hour. What happened during that phone call has since become a story that blends romance, music, and a touch of comedy.
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A Midnight Call from Merle Haggard
While on tour together, Haggard’s admiration for Parton quickly turned into something deeper. He confessed in his memoir that he didn’t always make wise decisions when it came to her. His growing feelings eventually pushed him to put pen to paper and write a song entirely about her.
That song was “Always Wanting You,” a deeply personal ballad that reflected his emotions. But instead of waiting for the right moment to share it, Haggard couldn’t hold back. Once the song was finished, he picked up the phone and dialed Dolly — even though it was 3 a.m.
At first, he didn’t get through to her directly. Parton’s housekeeper tried to block the unusual request, but Haggard wouldn’t take no for an answer. After some persistence, Dolly finally came on the line.
The Song She Had to Hear
According to Haggard, he pleaded with Dolly to listen, telling her that she had to hear the song because it was written for her. He recalled sitting in a hotel room with his guitar, desperate for her to be the first person to hear what he considered one of his greatest works.
Though she reminded him that nothing romantic could ever happen between them, Dolly humored him. She recognized that he wouldn’t get any peace until he sang it for her, so she allowed him to play the song over the phone.
Haggard poured his heart into the performance, but he admitted later that he couldn’t even remember how she reacted. By the time he was done, he was too overwhelmed to process her response. The only thing that stuck with him was the operator’s voice cutting in to tell him he’d been disconnected.
A Song That Stood the Test of Time
Although Haggard later admitted that his behavior embarrassed him, he still stood by the quality of his song. “Always Wanting You” went on to become one of the most important songs in his career, capturing raw longing in a way only he could express.
The track resonated with fans, many of whom may not have known the real-life muse behind it at the time. For Haggard, though, the song was tied forever to that late-night moment of vulnerability with Dolly Parton.
It also highlighted the magnetic pull Dolly had on her peers in the industry. She wasn’t just a country superstar — she was an inspiration, a muse, and sometimes, the source of sleepless nights for legends like Merle Haggard.
