Heartbreaker (Dolly Parton album)

Did You Know?

• The album cover, a gatefold design with surreal, dream-like images, was created by graphic artist Ed Caraeff, who also designed the cover for Here You Come Again.
• Following the success of 1977's Here You Come Again, Parton again worked with producer Gary Klein on this album.

Release and promotion

The album was issued on LP, 8-track, and cassette on July 17, 1978. The title track "Heartbreaker" was the first single, released in July 1978; it reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, number 12 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and number 37 on the Hot 100. In Canada it topped both the Country Singles and Adult Contemporary charts, and it peaked at number 41 in Australia. "It's Too Late to Love Me Now" was issued as a single in South Africa in late 1978 but did not chart. In November 1978, "Baby I'm Burnin'" and "I Really Got the Feeling" were released as a double A-side single. A 12-inch disco remix single titled Dance with Dolly featured remixes of "Baby I'm Burnin'" and "I Wanna Fall in Love"; "Baby I'm Burnin'" peaked at number 15 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart. "I Really Got the Feeling" targeted country radio and hit number one on the Hot Country Songs chart. For Valentine's Day 1979, Parton co-headlined the CBS TV special Dolly & Carol in Nashville with Carol Burnett, and RCA Records sent over 3,000 radio stations copies of the album and boxes of candies for giveaways; only a snippet of the title song was performed as part of a heart-themed medley. Participating stations created their own promotions, including call-in giveaways, drawings, a poetry contest, and one where winners received gender-specific prizes (candy for women, records for men).

Critical reception

Billboard described Parton as leaning heavily toward pop-flavored song and delivery but noted subtle country textures and a few mainstream country songs, praising the upbeat songs and ballads as executed in her charming vocal manner. The review called Parton's compositions forceful, Gary Klein's production masterful, and the musicians top notch, selecting "I Really Got the Feeling", "Baby I'm Burnin'", "Heartbreaker", "We're Through Forever ('Til Tomorrow)", and "Nickels and Dimes" as the best cuts. Cashbox said the album borders on perfection and, while noting Parton's deep roots in East Tennessee, observed that she is fast leaving country music, adding that she is simply growing as an artist and should be considered a superstar in the largest sense. The Globe and Mail stated that country music lovers may flinch at the disco rhythm tracks but that Parton's shift from country to pop is a change in approach, not substance. Zac Johnson of AllMusic felt the album showcases Parton's increasing confidence beautifully.

Commercial performance

The album debuted at number 46 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart dated August 12, 1978, and peaked at number one on the chart dated September 9, remaining there for nine consecutive weeks, with a total of 45 weeks on the chart. It reached number 27 on the Billboard 200 chart dated October 7. In Canada, it topped the RPM Country Albums chart and peaked at number 20 on the RPM Top Albums chart; in Australia it peaked at number 67. The Recording Industry Association of America certified the album Gold on August 16, 1978, for shipment of 500,000 copies, and Music Canada certified it Gold on December 1, 1978, for shipment of 50,000 copies. It ranked number four on the Billboard Top Country Albums year-end chart for 1978 and number 10 for 1979.