Dolly Parton Joins Wiggles Country Album for ‘Friends!’ & ‘Counting 1 to 5’ Double Single Release: Listen
Written by djfrosty on February 20, 2025
Dolly Parton has stepped into the Wiggles‘ world for the children’s group’s upcoming country album, Wiggle Up, Giddy Up. Album track “Friends!” — penned by Parton, and featuring the country icon on lead vocals — was released on Thursday (Feb. 20), as well as “Counting 1 to 5,” which has the Wiggles reimagining a Parton classic.
“Friends! Everybody shout it/ Friends! No doubt about it/ Friends! Make the world go round/ We can depend on friends! / Someone to lean on, friends!/ Everybody needs one/ Be my friend!” Parton jubilantly sings on the feel-good chorus.
The Wiggles reference Parton’s “9 to 5” on “Counting 1 to 5,” interpolating the melody of the country star’s hit that was originally released in 1980, and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1981: “Counting 1 to 5/ Yes, today that’s what you’re learning,” the Wiggles sing to the familiar tune.
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Music videos for both “Friends!” and “Counting 1 to 5” were also released on Thursday, with the double single made available on streaming services including Spotify and Apple Music.
“We Will Always Be Friends,” another single with (and written by) Parton, will be released on March 7 with the full Wiggle Up, Giddy Up collection, which can be pre-saved here. The Wiggles also recorded a cover of Parton’s “Love Is Like a Butterfly” for the album.
“Well, I just wiggled my way out into the Wiggles’ world! I had so much fun being a part of this project, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we have,” says Parton in a press release statement.
The collab is particularly meaningful for Red Wiggle (Caterina Mete), who has a tattoo inspired by Parton and even named one of her twin daughters Dolly. She shares, “Getting to work with my absolute musical hero is beyond surreal. Dolly has inspired me in so many ways, and I know these songs will bring so much happiness to families everywhere.”
“Dolly’s music is pure magic,” Blue Wiggle (Anthony Field) chimes in. “Getting to work with her on these songs is a dream come true. We can’t wait for families everywhere to sing along and share in the joy.”
Lainey Wilson, Orville Peck, Dasha, Morgan Evans, Jackson Dean, Kaylee Bell, MacKenzie Porter, Troy Cassar-Daley, The Wolfe Brothers, Travis Collins, Lucky Oceans and Slim Dusty are all featured on the Wiggles’ Wiggle Up, Giddy Up.
The Wiggles will be touring the U.S. and Canada in June. Dates and ticket information for the group’s Bouncing Balls Tour are available here.
Check out the joyous “Friends!” video, and the educational “Counting 1 to 5” video — which not only teaches little ones about counting, but also features a fun country line dance — with your kids below.