Why Bob Seger doesn't sing "Night Moves" on Dolly Parton's Rockstar album

Dolly Parton is truly a rockstar now with her mega-hit album Rockstar, which was released in November 2023. The first song released was "World on Fire" at the Academy of Country Music Awards in May. She also covers a popular 1976 song by Bob Segar and the Silver Bullet Band, "Night Moves," for which country musician Chris Stapleton is her guest performer.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Parton stated that Seger was having some voice trouble at the time of recording, so he was unable to join her. She loves Stapleton and thought he would be a good choice for this song.

"Night Moves" was Seger's first single from his ninth, same titled album. It is a coming-of-age tale of young love that is being remembered by the adult who experienced it. This is all based on Seger's own teenage experience with love from the 1960s. The single was released in December 1976 and reached No. 4 on Billboard Hot 100; it was also named Best Single of the Year in 1977 by Rolling Stone Magazine. The song brilliantly uses the title, which can be used to describe making out, but also references the passing of a time the adult is reminiscing about.

Below is the music video for "Night Moves," directed by Wayne Isham in 1994, almost 20 years after the original release. Set at a drive-in movie during the 60s, the video stars actor Matt LeBlanc before he would star in the hit TV series Friends.

"Night Moves" has been featured in many movies and TV shows throughout the years. In 1981, the adult animated movie American Pop featured the song, as one of the characters performed the song to begin his career in the music business. TNN used the song in 1995 and 1996 during the closing credits of The Winston, and the series O.C. featured the song two times in season 1. How I Met Your Mother featured the song when Barney seduces Ted's mother and Liz Lemon from 30 Rock coins the phrase "Workin' on my Night Cheese," which the reference reportedly cost NBC approx. $50,000. The song has also been featured on Grand Theft Auto V and Supernatural.

Althought nothing can beat the original "Night Moves" by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band, Parton and Stapleton do an outstanding job on their rendition.