Steel Magnolias explores the bond a group of women share in a small-town Southern community, and how they cope with the death of one of their own.

Featured in the soundtrack of the 1984 movie Rhinestone, "Tennessee Homesick Blues" is a reminiscence of Parton's rural Tennessee upbringing. The song was similar in theme to some of her earlier compositions, including "My Tennessee Mountain Home", though in this case, the song found its protagonist (like the character Parton played in the film) stranded in New York City and reminiscing about the Great Smoky Mountains.

Dolly has gained induction into numerous Halls of Fame, including the Small Town of America Hall of Fame (1988), the Country Music Hall of Fame (1999), and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2009).