Following a decade of almost exclusively releasing bluegrass albums, Backwoods Barbie heralded Dolly's grand return to mainstream country. "I Will Forever Hate Roses" showcases a honky-tonk sound heavy on twang and pedal-steel guitar, while the old-school title track finds Parton describing her look as "a country girl's idea of glam". There are plenty of modern touches as well though, such as on “Better Get to Livin’”, which dresses its wisdom-filled lyrics in vibrant drums and charged rock guitars.