Starting Over Again (Donna Summer song)

"Starting Over Again" is a song recorded by American entertainer Dolly Parton. The song was written by Donna Summer and her husband Bruce Sudano. Parton's recording was performed as a slow tempo ballad, gradually building to a dramatic crescendo. It was released in March 1980 as the first single from her album Dolly, Dolly, Dolly. "Starting Over Again" made the U.S. pop top forty, peaking at number 36, and reached number 1 on the U.S. country charts on May 24, 1980, becoming Parton's 12th number one. Dolly’s recording would also make Donna Summer the first black female to co-write a number 1 country hit.

Donna Summer performed it live numerous times on television specials during the 1980s, including her own program, The Donna Summer Show. A studio version of the track has yet to surface.

Content
The song tells the story of a middle-aged couple separating after 30 years of marriage. It was based upon the divorce of Sudano's parents.

Chart history
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Year-End

Reba McEntire cover
Reba McEntire also covered the song in 1995 for her Starting Over album. Released as the album's third single, McEntire's version peaked at number 19 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. In the album's liner notes, McEntire wrote that she chose to cover the song as a tribute to Parton and Summer, both artists whom she'd admired.

Other cover versions
Martine McCutcheon covered "Starting Over Again" in 2001.