The Bargain Store
Dolly Parton · 1975
28 min · 10 tracks · country music
A warm blend of heartfelt storytelling and melodic charm, reflecting the emotional landscape of everyday life.
Top tracks — play these first
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The Bargain Store Start here — This title track encapsulates the album's themes of longing and nostalgia, using metaphors that resonate deeply with listeners' experiences of love and loss.
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When I’m Gone — This poignant ballad highlights Parton’s vocal range and emotive delivery, making it a standout moment that reflects on absence and memory.
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I Want to Be What You Need — The song’s tender plea showcases vulnerability and desire, illustrating Parton’s skill in crafting relatable narratives within simple melodies.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases strong storytelling and melodic charm, typical of Parton's style, while maintaining a cohesive sound.
What we noticed
- The title track opens the album with a slow tempo and a prominent steel guitar, setting a reflective mood that carries through several subsequent tracks.
- Many songs feature a narrative structure, with verses that build a story before leading into a chorus that emphasizes emotional resonance.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- heartfelt storytelling with warmth
- concise tracks for quick engagement
- nostalgic reflections on love
- front-loaded emotional impact
- easy sing-alongs with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy immersive experiences
- seek complex, sprawling compositions
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Fan Favorite — Beloved by fans for its storytelling and emotional depth, showcasing Parton's signature style.
- Themes
- nostalgic longing· small-town memories· heartfelt storytelling
- Career context
- Released on February 17, 1975, The Bargain Store was Dolly Parton's fifth studio album, following her breakthrough with Jolene in 1974. At this point in her career, Parton was solidifying her status as a leading figure in country music, transitioning from a successful songwriter to a prominent solo artist.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Emmylou Harris· Linda Ronstadt· Patsy Cline
Tracklist
- 1 The Bargain Store Start here 2:36
- 2 Kentucky Gambler 2:39
- 3 When I’m Gone 5:09
- 4 The Only Hand You’ll Need to Hold 2:09
- 5 On My Mind Again 2:53
- 6 I Want to Be What You Need 2:42
- 7 Love to Remember 2:32
- 8 You’ll Always Be Special to Me 2:22
- 9 He Would Know 2:33
- 10 I’ll Never Forget 2:48
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Pieces of the Sky
Emmylou Harris
Similar heartfelt storytelling and a warm, country-inflected folk sound.
Poems, Prayers & Promises
John Denver
Shares nostalgic themes and melodic charm with an emphasis on everyday life.
Heart Like a Wheel
Linda Ronstadt
Combines emotional depth with strong melodies, reflecting personal and small-town narratives.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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