A unique cross-genre collaboration has recently topped the Mediabase Classic Rock Songs chart, as Mötley Crüe and country superstar Dolly Parton‘s reimagined version of the power ballad “Home Sweet Home” achieved the No. 1 spot. This momentous duet, released in June via BMG, marks the first time the 1985 classic has reached the top of the charts and coincides with its 40th anniversary.
The unlikely, yet incredibly successful, pairing came about through a developing relationship between Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx and Dolly Parton. Sixx confirmed in a recent interview with Steve Baltin of Forbes that his initial involvement with Parton‘s Rockstar album, released in 2023, laid the groundwork for this collaboration. Parton was inspired to record a rock album after her 2022 nomination for the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame.
“I loved that moment when I saw online where she said if she’s going to be in the Rock Hall she’s got to make a rock record,” Sixx recounted to Forbes. He wasted no time reaching out, expressing his desire to play bass on the album. This led to Sixx‘s contribution to Parton‘s song “Bygones,” which also featured Judas Priest‘s Rob Halford and Mötley Crüe’s John 5, and notably debuted at No. 1 on the Mediabase Classic Rock Songs chart.
The rapport deepened after Parton personally called Sixx to express her appreciation for his bass work. “Nikki, this is Dolly,” Sixx recalled her sweet Southern accent, expressing her love for his contribution. This led to further friendly exchanges, including a gift of flowers from Sixx‘s wife’s company, Bouquet Box, which Parton and her friends enjoyed assembling.
When the idea of a Parton collaboration on “Home Sweet Home” surfaced, the existing connection made it a seamless fit. “If all those other things had not happened, it could have been a shot in the dark,” Sixx mused. “But if you have a relationship with her. So, this relationship started to build in a friendly way. And they reached out and she was a hard yes. That was just a career high.”
Sixx also shared a touching anecdote from Parton, who told him that “Home Sweet Home” was a favorite of her late husband, Carl Dean. Parton interpreted the lyrics with profound insight: “When you’re young, you want to get as far away from home as possible. You want to chase those dreams. You want to chase whatever you want to do. And then once you get there, it’s the journey getting back to your roots.” Sixx was deeply moved, remarking, “No one’s ever explained my lyrics to me that clear. That just touched me on so many levels.”
Beyond its chart success, the new version of “Home Sweet Home” carries a significant philanthropic message. A portion of the proceeds from the single will benefit Covenant House, an organization dedicated to providing shelter, meals, and hope to youth experiencing homelessness, a cause close to the hearts of Mötley Crüe.
The reimagined “Home Sweet Home” featuring Dolly Parton is a highlight of Mötley Crüe‘s forthcoming singles collection, From The Beginning, set to be released on September 12, 2025, via BMG. This collection will span four decades of Crüe anthems, from “Live Wire” to 2024’s “Dogs Of War,” and will be available on CD and vinyl. The official video for the track, which pays homage to the 1985 original, has already garnered over one million views on YouTube. Additionally, a limited-edition Dölly Crüe merch collection has been released to coincide with the song’s debut.
Mötley Crüe members jointly expressed their pride: “For an icon like Dolly Parton to sing on a song that has not only meant so much to us but to all the fans through the years, is a career high that means a lot to us. We couldn’t be happier to celebrate the 40th anniversary of ‘Home Sweet Home‘ in this special way, and we’re excited to share this version of the song with all the Dolly and Mötley fans around the world.” They added that the collaboration for Covenant House makes it “even more special.”
Dolly Parton herself remarked, “It was an honor and a joy working in the studio on Mötley Crüe‘s 40th Anniversary re-release of ‘Home Sweet Home‘. I was so pleased that they would ask me to sing on such a classic.”
The release of From The Beginning on September 12, 2025, will coincide with Mötley Crüe‘s highly anticipated 10-show residency at Dolby Live at Park MGM in Las Vegas, Nevada. This residency, running through October 3, will be the only chance for fans to see Mötley Crüe live in 2025.
From The Beginning (CD track listing):
- “Live Wire“
- “Take Me To The Top“
- “Shout At The Devil” [remastered – 2021]
- “Looks That Kill” [remastered – 2021]
- “Too Young To Fall In Love” [remastered – 2021]
- “Smokin’ In The Boys Room” [remastered – 2021]
- “Home Sweet Home” [remastered – 2021]
- “Girls, Girls, Girls“
- “Wild Side“
- “Dr. Feelgood“
- “Without You“
- “Kickstart My Heart“
- “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)“
- “Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)“
- “Primal Scream“
- “The Dirt (Est. 1981)“
- “Saints of Los Angeles“
- “Dogs Of War“
- “Home Sweet Home (feat. Dolly Parton)“
From The Beginning (2LP track listing):
Side A
- “Live Wire“
- “Take Me To The Top“
- “Shout at the Devil” [remastered -2021]
- “Looks That Kill” [remastered – 2021]
- “Too Young To Fall In Love” [remastered -2021]
- “Smokin’ In The Boys Room” [remastered -2021]
Side B
- “Home Sweet Home” [remastered -2021]
- “Girls, Girls, Girls“
- “Wild Side“
- “Dr. Feelgood“
- “Without You”
Side C
- “Kickstart My Heart“
- “Don’t Go Away Mad (Just Go Away)“
- “Same Ol’ Situation (S.O.S.)“
- “Primal Scream“
- “Afraid” *
Side D
- “Saints of Los Angeles“
- “The Dirt (Est. 1981)“
- “Dogs Of War“
- “Cancelled” *
- “Home Sweet Home (feat. Dolly Parton)“
*LP-only tracks
Mötley Crüe – 2025 Las Vegas Residency at Dolby Live, Park MGM
- Sep 12, 2025 (Fri) – Las Vegas, NV @ Dolby Live – 7:00 PM
- Sep 13, 2025 (Sat) – Las Vegas, NV @ Dolby Live – 7:00 PM
- Sep 17, 2025 (Wed) – Las Vegas, NV @ Dolby Live – 7:00 PM
- Sep 19, 2025 (Fri) – Las Vegas, NV @ Dolby Live – 7:00 PM
- Sep 20, 2025 (Sat) – Las Vegas, NV @ Dolby Live – 7:00 PM
- Sep 24, 2025 (Wed) – Las Vegas, NV @ Dolby Live – 7:00 PM
- Sep 26, 2025 (Fri) – Las Vegas, NV @ Dolby Live – 7:00 PM
- Sep 27, 2025 (Sat) – Las Vegas, NV @ Dolby Live – 7:00 PM
- Oct 1, 2025 (Wed) – Las Vegas, NV @ Dolby Live – 7:00 PM
- Oct 3, 2025 (Fri) – Las Vegas, NV @ Dolby Live – 7:00 PM
