"Here I Am" is a song written and recorded by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. The song was included on her 1971 album Coat of Many Colors. It was recorded on April 27, 1971, at RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee, and produced by Bob Ferguson.
Personnel Adapted from the album liner notes and RCA recording session records.
David Briggs – piano Jerry Carrigan – drums Pete Drake – steel Bobby Dyson – bass Bob Ferguson – producer Johnny Gimble – fiddle Dave Kirby – guitar George McCormick – guitar Mack Magaha – fiddle The Nashville Edition – background vocals Dolly Parton – lead vocals, writer Hargus Robbins – piano Billy Sanford – guitar Jerry Shook – guitar Buddy Spicher – fiddle Buck Trent – electric banjo
2018 version
In 2018 Parton re-recorded the song as a duet with Australian singer-songwriter Sia for the soundtrack to the 2018 Netflix film, Dumplin'. It was produced by Linda Perry and released as the first single from the soundtrack on September 14, 2018.
Critical reception Upon its release the single received positive reviews from music critics. Writing for Rolling Stone, Althea Legaspi said Parton and Sia's "voices meld together, giving it a hymnal quality, buoyed by gospel-styled choir backing vocals." In a review for NPR Lars Gotrich noted the song's slower tempo compared to the original 1971 recording, calling the single "a gospel-infused statement of purpose."
On a list of the 50 best Dolly Parton songs, Rolling Stone magazine ranked "Here I Am" at number 25, calling the Sia collaboration a beautiful amplification of the "desires and assurances of the original."
Commercial performance The single sold 10,000 copies during its first week of release. It debuted and peaked at No. 37 on the US Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
Music video The music video for the song was released on November 2, 2018. Neither Parton nor Sia appear in the video which follows a mourner visiting a grave, a homeless man begging for change, a child cowering in fear as her mother is abused, and an elderly woman sick in bed. It focuses on the evolution of the characters introduced at the beginning, and leaves viewers with an uplifting message of hope.
Personnel Adapted from the album liner notes.
Chris Allgood – mastering assistant David Angell – violin Sean Badum – string recording assistant Avery Bright – viola Billy Bush – mixing David Davidson – violin Luke Edgemon – background vocals Damon Fox – piano, B3 organ, electric guitar Luis Flores – assistant engineer David Goldstein – drums Austin Hoke – cello, string arrangements Emily Lazar – mastering Briana Lee – background vocals John McBride – string recording Billy Mohler – bass Emily Nelson – cello Dolly Parton – lead vocals Linda Perry – producer, engineer Eli Pearl – electric guitar, acoustic guitar Sia – lead vocals Maiya Skykes – background vocals Katelyn Westergard – violin Kristin Weber – violin Kristin Wilkinson – viola
Charts Chart (2018) PeakpositionUK Singles Sales (OCC) 93
References