"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. Donna Summer also recorded it as a non-album track, performing it live numerous time on television specials during the 1980s, including her own program, The Donna Summer Show. 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 Weekly 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. Chart history Other cover versions Martine McCutcheon covered "Starting Over Again" in 2001. References External links Starting Over Again lyrics at Dolly Parton On-Line (Donna Summer) (Dolly Parton) (Reba McEntire) 1980 singles 1996 singles Dolly Parton songs Reba McEntire songs Songs written by Donna Summer Song recordings produced by Tony Brown (record producer) RCA Records Nashville singles MCA Nashville Records singles Songs written by Bruce Sudano 1980 songs Songs about divorce