When Dolly Parton teamed up with East Greenville’s Sabrina Carpenter for a fresh take on “Please Please Please,” the country icon had one non-negotiable: keep it clean, writes Becca Wood for Today.
Known for her candid lyrics, Carpenter toned things down at Parton’s request—and the result is a charming duet that bridges generations.
In an interview with Knox News, Parton explained, “I don’t cuss. I don’t make fun of Jesus. I don’t talk bad about God, and I don’t say dirty words—on camera.”
Released as part of Carpenter’s deluxe Short n’ Sweet album on Valentine’s Day, the reimagined track replaces the spicy original line with a more Dolly-approved version. Gone is the explicit “motherf—–,” swapped instead for the gentler, “like the others.”
Alongside the song, the duo dropped a black-and-white music video featuring them cruising in a truck, singing and hauling a man who’s clearly rubbed Carpenter the wrong way. The video quickly racked up over 11 million views on YouTube.
Parton had nothing but kind words for her younger co-star, calling Carpenter “so sweet.”
Read more about Sabrina Carpenter’s collab with Dolly Parton in Today.
Editor’s Note: This post first appeared on MONTCO Today in March 2025.
