| "Joshua" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Dolly Parton | ||||
| from the album Joshua | ||||
| B-side | "I'm Doing This for Your Sake" | |||
| Released | November 1970 | |||
| Recorded | RCA Studio "B", Nashville; October 1970 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Label | RCA | |||
| Writer(s) | Dolly Parton | |||
| Producer | Bob Ferguson | |||
| Dolly Parton singles chronology | ||||
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"Joshua" was a 1970 song, written and recorded by Dolly Parton, significant for being her first single to reach #1 on the US country charts [1]. Telling the story of an adventurous young girl who dares to visit the property of a rural recluse, who has a reputation for being mean and hostile. The song drew on many Appalachian references from Parton's youth, which she would revisit throughout her career. The single was released in late 1970, and reached #1 on the Billboard country charts in February 1971. Parton received her first Grammy nomination in the Best Country Female Vocal category for the song, losing to Lynn Anderson.
| Chart (1970–1971) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles | 1 |
| U.S. Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 | 8 |
| Canadian RPM Country Tracks | 2 |
| Preceded by "Flesh and Blood" by Johnny Cash |
Billboard Hot Country Singles number-one single February 6, 1971 |
Succeeded by "Help Me Make It Through the Night" by Sammi Smith |