Kacey Musgraves Pays Tribute to Dolly Parton With ‘Rainbow’ & ‘Here You Come Again’ Live in Boston

During her spellbinding performance in Boston on Friday, August 28, Kacey Musgraves paid a deeply heartfelt tribute to the legendary Dolly Parton, delivering stirring renditions of her own acclaimed Golden Hour anthem “Rainbow” alongside a timeless cover of “Here You Come Again.”

Taking to the stage at TD Garden as part of her ongoing tour supporting the Middle of Nowhere album, Musgraves paused to reflect on the immense cultural footprint left by the beloved country icon following her recent passing, emphasizing that Parton’s legacy extends far beyond her unmatched list of accolades and Grammy triumphs.

“It’s truly about the extraordinary humanitarian she was,” Musgraves shared with the attentive audience. “She was someone who constantly looked out for others, championed the underdog, and stood up for what was right—even when it wasn’t the easiest path or advantageous to her commercial success. There is so much wisdom we can all take from a life like hers.”

“She is woven into the very fabric of who we are as artists and music lovers, which makes her loss feel profoundly heavy. Let’s sing this together to honor her memory, alright?” she invited, seamlessly guiding the arena through a communal, emotional sing-along of “Rainbow,” the poignant closing selection from her 2018 Grammy-winning masterpiece, Golden Hour.

As the venue united in song with the uplifting lyrics—“There’s always been a rainbow hangin’ over your head”—vibrant photographs of Parton, who passed away on August 25 following a courageous battle with cancer, illuminated the massive backdrop screens.

Continuing the evening’s tribute, Musgraves transitioned into a heartfelt performance of “Here You Come Again,” the iconic title track from Parton’s celebrated 1977 studio record.

Originally written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, “Here You Come Again” served as Parton’s groundbreaking crossover smash, climbing all the way to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1978. Throughout Parton’s illustrious catalog, only two other masterworks ascended higher on the all-genre tally: her timeless anthem “9 to 5” and the legendary Kenny Rogers collaboration “Islands in the Stream,” both of which claimed the coveted No. 1 spot during the early 1980s.

Musgraves’ soulful homage serves as a touching full-circle moment, echoing her unforgettable 2019 GRAMMYs medley alongside Parton herself, as well as her stunning duet of the tune with pop superstar Katy Perry at the MusiCares Person of the Year gala that same year. Musgraves has proudly kept a solo interpretation of the track in her live concert rotation since 2014.

“She is an absolute earth angel,” Musgraves remarked during a red-carpet interview at the 2019 GRAMMYs. “She possesses such incredible presence and a meticulous attention to detail, which is clearly why she has maintained such a phenomenal, enduring career. She cares deeply about her craft and unapologetically leaves her distinct mark on everything she touches. She paved an essential path for so many of us in country music; none of us would be doing what we do today without her visionary blueprint. She truly had it all—intelligence, effortless charm, brilliant songwriting, inimitable humor, and unforgettable style.”

Catch highlights from Musgraves’ touching Boston tribute performance below.

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