"Dumplin" Soundtrack Lyrics

"Dumplin' (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)" Soundtrack Description

Overview

What happens when a Dolly Parton superfan takes on small-town pageantry? The film answers with a soundtrack that doubles as a character: bright, witty, and pointed. Country bedrock, gospel lift, and a few club-ready flips make the movie’s emotional beats land with clarity. Six brand-new songs sit beside reimagined Parton classics, so the album feels like a conversation between past and present rather than a greatest-hits victory lap.

The project was built around Parton’s voice—sometimes literally, sometimes as myth. Producer Linda Perry shapes arrangements that can hold a montage, a quiet reckoning, or a strut down a catwalk. “Girl in the Movies” became the film’s thesis statement and awards magnet, while “Dumb Blonde” and “Jolene” arrive freshly re-cut to suit on-screen swagger. (Trusted sources: Billboard; The Hollywood Reporter.)

Questions & Answers

Is there an official soundtrack album?

Yes: Dumplin’ (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), released November 30, 2018 on Dolly Records/RCA Nashville. Produced by Linda Perry and featuring Dolly Parton on every track.

Who composed the score heard between the songs?

Jake Monaco composed the original score cues used throughout the film.

How many new Dolly Parton songs were written for the film?

Six originals were written for the movie, including “Girl in the Movies” and “Red Shoes.”

Which track did Jennifer Aniston and Danielle Macdonald appear on?

They join Parton on “Push & Pull,” a mother-daughter themed cut tailored to the story.

Was the soundtrack recognized by major awards?

“Girl in the Movies” earned a Golden Globe nomination and later a GRAMMY nomination (Best Song Written for Visual Media).

Who handled music supervision?

Buck Damon served as music supervisor, coordinating the film’s licensed and original music.

Are there club-style remixes in the film?

Yes—DJ Ricky Luna’s “Jolene” and “Here You Come Again” remixes appear on streaming editions and power pageant-energy moments.

Notes & Trivia

• The movie opens on a Dolly deep cut with a wink: “Dumb Blonde” becomes Willowdean’s sing-along armor—diegetic and defiant.
• “Girl in the Movies” was positioned as the awards push; Variety and Vanity Fair tracked its campaign.
• Two drag-friendly flips—“Jolene (Dumplin’ Remix)” and “Here You Come Again (Dumplin’ Remix)”—inject dance momentum into pageant prep.
• Jake Monaco’s score stitches transitions between needle-drops; Perry’s production keeps the vocal center forward.
• Jennifer Aniston and Danielle Macdonald cut vocals for “Push & Pull” at Parton’s urging—an unusual on-screen/off-screen crossover.
• Streaming editions of the album run longer (23 tracks) than the core 12-track CD.
• “Jolene (New String Version)” strips the song to orchestral bones for reflective moments.

Genres & Themes

Country & Americana provide the film’s moral compass—plainspoken self-worth, guitars up front, story first.

Gospel touches lift ensemble choruses and montage beats—community, grace, and chosen family (drag mentors included).

Pop sheen arrives via Perry’s production and guest features (Sia, Elle King), giving radio-readiness without sanding off Dolly’s twang.

Remix energy (DJ Ricky Luna) fuels pageant choreography—confidence, camp, and celebration rather than mockery.

(Trusted source: GRAMMY.com coverage of the Perry/Parton collaboration.)

Tracks & Scenes

“Dumb Blonde” — Dolly Parton (with Miranda Lambert on the album version)
Scene: The film kicks off with Willowdean belting along in her car. Diegetic; it frames her defiance and humor from minute one.
Why it matters: Establishes Dolly as north star and sets the film’s don’t-underestimate-me posture.

“Girl in the Movies” — Dolly Parton
Scene: Used over sequences about longing to be seen—dark theater glow, daydreams, and the step from fantasy to action. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: The movie’s mission statement; the ballad reframes “lead role” as personal agency. (Trusted source: Rolling Stone.)

“Here I Am” — Dolly Parton & Sia
Scene: A transitional montage that threads resolve after setbacks; the gospel lift parallels support systems forming around Willowdean. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: Two powerhouse voices underline the film’s help-is-here theme.

“Push & Pull” — Dolly Parton with Jennifer Aniston & Danielle Macdonald
Scene: Late-film reconciliation energy—mother and daughter learning boundaries rather than “winning.” Non-diegetic; thematically tied to their arc.
Why it matters: Casting voices on record blurs screen and soundtrack, making the relationship feel lived-in.

“Red Shoes” — Dolly Parton
Scene: Quiet reflection on legacy and loss; imagery of treasured shoes and guidance from the women who raised Willowdean. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: A story bridge between memory (Aunt Lucy) and becoming.

“Why” — Dolly Parton & Mavis Staples
Scene: Friendship-and-forgiveness beat; the groove steadies after conflict. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: Staples’ timbre + Dolly’s warmth = a communal benediction.

“Here You Come Again (Dumplin’ Remix)” — Dolly Parton & DJ Ricky Luna
Scene: Pageant prep/party energy, choreography clicks, confidence blooms. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: Shows how Dolly’s catalog flexes into dance without losing charm.

“Jolene (Dumplin’ Remix)” — Dolly Parton & DJ Ricky Luna
Scene: A drag-sparked makeover stretch and stage-ready swagger. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: Camp meets canon; celebrates the film’s drag-mentor thread.

“Jolene (New String Version)” — Dolly Parton
Scene: Introspective passages—insecurities surfaced, then reframed. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: String reduction turns a standard into a mirror.

“Two Doors Down” — Dolly Parton (feat. Macy Gray & DOROTHY on album)
Scene: Gathering momentum before the big night; friends rally. Non-diegetic.
Why it matters: Party cut as pressure valve, signaling joy over judgment.

Music–Story Links

When Willowdean chooses to enter the pageant, “Girl in the Movies” reframes fantasy as intent. As she trains with drag mentors, the Luna remixes flip Dolly’s charm into communal hype, aligning self-presentation with play. “Push & Pull” scores the uneasy dance between Rosie and Willowdean; love without control becomes the win. And the opening “Dumb Blonde” sets up a payoff: by the finale, the joke lands on anyone who underestimated her.

How It Was Made

Dolly Parton executive-produced the album and, with Linda Perry, co-wrote six new songs tailored to script moments and themes. Guests include Sia, Miranda Lambert, Elle King, Mavis Staples, Alison Krauss, and more. Music supervision by Buck Damon wrangled legacy cuts, new works, and pageant-friendly versions; composer Jake Monaco supplied original score cues to glue scenes together. A CMT special, Dolly & Friends: The Making of a Soundtrack, spotlighted the sessions and the album-first approach. (Trusted source: Variety.)

Reception & Quotes

Critics consistently pointed to the soundtrack as the film’s backbone and mood board.

“Elevated by a solid soundtrack and a terrific cast.” — The Hollywood Reporter

“‘Girl in the Movies’ feels like the film’s truest north.” — Los Angeles Times

Availability: the core 12-track album dropped November 30, 2018; streaming editions add remixes and catalog versions (23 tracks total on major platforms).

Additional Info

• Label credits: Dolly Records / RCA Nashville; Linda Perry as producer.
• Lead singles rolled out in sequence: “Here I Am,” then “Girl in the Movies,” then “Jolene (New String Version).”
• Streaming-only cuts include DJ Ricky Luna’s “Jolene” and “Here You Come Again” remixes.
• “Girl in the Movies” was Golden Globe–nominated and later GRAMMY-nominated.
• Jennifer Aniston and Danielle Macdonald recorded their “Push & Pull” vocals at Parton’s insistence; both discussed the session publicly.
• Score credits list Jake Monaco; Perry produced the soundtrack album and co-wrote new songs.
• Drag artists (e.g., Ginger Minj) appear on screen; an official “Jolene” tribute video features RuPaul’s Drag Race alumnae.

Technical Info

• Title: Dumplin’ (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
• Year: 2018 (album release: Nov 30, 2018)
• Type: Film soundtrack (songs); original score by Jake Monaco
• Composers/Songwriters: Dolly Parton (songs), Linda Perry (co-writer/producer on new songs); Jake Monaco (score)
• Music Supervision: Buck Damon
• Label: Dolly Records / RCA Nashville
• Key placements: “Dumb Blonde” (opening sing-along), “Girl in the Movies” (theme/awards cut), “Push & Pull” (mother-daughter arc), “Jolene” & “Here You Come Again” (remixes for pageant energy)
• Release context: Netflix premiere Dec 7, 2018; soundtrack preceded the film by a week
• Editions: 12-track core; expanded streaming edition with remixes and catalog versions

Canonical Entities & Relations

Sources: Billboard; Variety; The Hollywood Reporter; Los Angeles Times; Rolling Stone; GRAMMY.com; Dolly Parton official site; Metacritic credits; Wikipedia.

November, 09th 2025