Watch Dolly Parton Debut Blazing New Song ‘World On Fire’ At ACM Awards

Dolly Parton premiered “World On Fire,” the lead single from her long-awaited first rock album, Rockstar, on last night’s 58th annual Academy of Country Music Awards broadcast. Parton co-hosted the ACM Awards at The Ford Center in Frisco, Texas on Thursday with Garth Brooks.

Rockstar features 30 tracks including nine originals and 21 rock covers. Parton enlisted a who’s who of rock royalty and contemporary stars to contribute to the LP, which is due out on November 17 through Butterfly Records. Paul McCartney & Ringo Starr, Lizzo, Brandi Carlile, Miley Cyrus, Steve Perry, Sting, Warren Haynes, Ann Wilson, Steven Tyler and Peter Frampton are among those who make guest appearances on Rockstar.

“World On Fire” is one of Rockstar’s nine originals. Parton takes aim at the divide in opinions and beliefs across the political spectrum in the lyrics for her new song. She warns change is needed to stop the world from continuing down a path that would lead to ruin. The 77-year-old musician started the performance wearing a dress spanning the whole stage featuring images of the different continents.

“This is a song I felt very inspired to write. I think it speaks about everything and to everyone this day and time,” Parton explained of “World On Fire,” which came out yesterday. “I hope it is something that will touch you and maybe touch enough people to want to make a change for the better.”

See the performance that closed out last night’s ACM Awards below: