When Lainey Wilson doesn’t know what to do, she asks herself one question: What would Dolly do? In a recent clip, Lainey opens up about her song “WWDD” and the strong woman who inspired it, Dolly Parton. It’s not just a catchy title. It’s her rulebook. Whenever life gets messy or complicated, Lainey turns to Dolly’s example: stay kind, work hard, and never lose who you are. That mindset led to one of the standout tracks on her Bell Bottom Country album and a quiet message that’s resonated with fans everywhere.
WWDD isn’t about copying someone else’s life. It’s about learning from someone who’s stayed true through it all. In her short but meaningful video, Lainey talks about Dolly as if she were a guiding star: bold, generous, and honest. The song has a fun energy, but behind the playful lyrics lies a profound respect. You hear admiration, strength, and a bit of sass, too. Lainey sings it like a woman who knows who she is and who helped her become that.
Lainey Wilson talking about her song WWDD. She’s awesome!
Fans loved it. People in the comments shared their own “Dollys,” the moms, sisters, teachers, and friends who kept them going. Some said WWDD reminded them to keep showing up, even when life feels too heavy. Lainey’s voice, both in music and in speech, makes people feel like they’re not alone. That’s why so many now see her as their Dolly: honest, grounded, and full of heart.
If WWDD is about light and learning, then her duet with Brad Paisley is the other side of the story, the dark that gives light its shape. In Whiskey Lullaby, Lainey steps into a world of heartbreak and quiet tragedy. The song tells the story of a couple broken by pain and silence, drinking their sorrow until it consumes them both. It’s heavy. It’s haunting. And on the Grand Ole Opry stage, Lainey meets that weight with a voice that doesn’t flinch.
BRAD PAISLEY and LAINEY WILSON sings “Whiskey Lullaby” at the Grand Ole Opry
Standing beside Brad Paisley, Lainey doesn’t just sing the song; she lives inside it. Her tone is soft and low, filled with sadness but also control. There’s a hush in the crowd as the story unfolds. Her part of the duet brings depth to the woman’s pain, regret, shame, and love that never left. The moment doesn’t need big notes. It needs honesty. And that’s precisely what Lainey brings.
That’s what makes her one of the most exciting voices in country music right now. Lainey Wilson can be wise and light-hearted in one breath, then break your heart in the next. She sings about strength and sorrow with the same honesty. Whether she’s leaning on Dolly’s wisdom or carrying a ballad with Brad Paisley, Lainey brings something real. Follow her on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook because the next song she sings might be the one that tells your story, too.