“It talks about my mom, my parents… it also covers bullying, acceptance, and all that,” Dolly Parton said of Coat of Many Colors—the song she calls her most personal and proudest creation. While fans might expect Jolene or I Will Always Love You, it’s this tender 1971 ballad about a handmade coat and childhood teasing that holds her heart. Want to know why this simple, three-chord song has become a cultural touchstone?