Hello Dolly: Song Suggestions/Predictions

Despite several desperate pleas to the AI gods, the theme for the top 9 has been confirmed to be limited to Dolly Parton songs, not just any ole honky tonk badonkadonk. Not sure if they'll be allowed to do songs Dolly merely covered instead of wrote, but I'm *crossing my fingers* and suggesting some anyway. I approached the research aspect of this post like a drive-by: get in, get it done and get the hell out of there. Unfortunately, in this scenario, I am both the shooter and the shoot-ee, as I found myself left behind with self-inflicted gunshot wounds. The doctor is pessimistically optimistic that I will recover, although I won't be out of the woods until after all is said and done next week.

I can't say that I actually WANT to hear any of this stuff but I did my best:

KLC (Who Will Probably Close the Show and Advance to the Next Round Simply Because She is the Resident Country Bumpkin this Year): I see her doing "Islands in the Stream" although a few others have suggested "9 to 5." If she wants to go all-out and pander to middle America again, Dolly has done both "The Star Spangled Banner" and "Go Tell it on the Mountain." The most tolerable song I came across for her is "Wild Flowers." I also think she should wear a ridiculously sparkly Dolly inspired dress, just because.

MJ: Dolly has covered "Crimson and Clover," "She Drives Me Crazy" and "Blowin' in the Wind," and I'm recommending them in that order.

Ramiele: Looks like she and Syesha will be battling it out for "I Will Always Love You," but if she loses the coin toss I suggest "Starting Over Again."

Jason: "But You Know That I Love You" or "Only Dreamin'." (I didn't write down any notes as to why, and I don't dare go back to the scene of the crime to re-listen.)

Syesha: Again, odds are that she'll do the Whitney version of "I Will Always Love You," but if not I recommend "9 to 5" so she can show some personality.

Carly: "Jolene," "Turn, Turn, Turn," "Think About Love" or "Light of a Clear Blue Morning. " In that order.

D-Cook: Alright, well the White Stripes did a cover of "Jolene" so odds are that's what we'll be hearing, but I have a few alternate suggestions: I'd kinda like to see him throw his hat in the ring for "I Will Always Love You" because his rendition would probably be more enjoyable than a diva-fied one. And while I'm normally not one for religious songs, there's a Desperado-esque feeling to "He's Alive" that he might be able to work with. Last but not least there's "Where do the Children Play."

Brooke: I've seen a lot of people suggesting "Jolene" for Brooke which would be fine, but I'd prefer "Here You Come Again" or "Please Don't Stop Loving Me."

Archie: I see him doing "9 to 5" in the same spirit he did "Shop Around." However, if he wants to preach to us again, Dolly did a cover of Elvis's "In the Ghetto." Or perhaps he'll be the one to do "The Star Spangled Banner" or simply resurrect "Imagine" again.

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Agree? Disagree? What would you like to hear?