Introduction
The world of country music is filled with tales of unrequited love, but few are as fascinating—or as legendary—as the bond between Dolly Parton and Merle Haggard. Their friendship lasted for decades until Haggard’s passing in 2016, but behind their mutual respect lay a famous one-sided crush that Parton managed to handle with her signature grace and humor.
Merle Haggard was openly enamored with Dolly Parton. While Haggard was married five times—his final marriage to Theresa Ann Lane lasting from 1993 until his death—Parton has been married to her husband, Carl Dean, since 1966. Despite rumors of potential extramarital affairs, Parton always maintained that nothing romantic ever happened between her and Haggard. The spark reportedly began in 1975 when Haggard recorded a cover of Parton’s song Kentucky Gambler for his album Keep Moving On. They toured together shortly after, spending time on the road playing cards and sharing a love for each other’s music.
However, Parton delivered what many consider the ultimate “friend zone” response. In her 2020 book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life and Lyrics, she reflected on their dynamic, stating that Haggard simply reminded her of her brother Denver. For her, they were just buddies who shared a deep creative bond.
Though she didn’t return his romantic feelings, Parton didn’t leave Haggard empty-handed. Learning about his lifelong obsession with locomotives, she wrote a love song tailored specifically for him—not about romance, but about trains. Haggard’s passion for rail travel was deeply personal; his father was a carpenter for the Santa Fe Railroad, and Haggard was even raised in a converted boxcar in Oildale, California. He spent part of his youth hopping freight trains, traveling hundreds of miles across the country. Recognizing this deep connection, Parton penned the song My Love Affair with Trains, which became the title track for Haggard’s 20th studio album in 1976.
While Haggard may have hoped for a different kind of love story, Parton’s gesture reflected the genuine care and affection she had for him as a fellow artist. Parton has always had a way of turning sticky situations into heartwarming moments. Her charm, beauty, and incredible quick wit made her nearly impossible not to fall in love with, but her ability to honor Haggard’s passion for trains showed the true depth of their lifelong friendship.