Parton began performing as a child, singing on local radio and television in East Tennessee. At age 12 she was appearing on Knoxville TV, and at 13, she was recording on a small label and appearing at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. When she graduated from high school in 1964 she moved to Nashville, taking many traditional elements of folklore and popular music from East Tennessee with her.
Parton's initial success came as a songwriter, with her songs being covered by Kitty Wells, Hank Williams, Jr., Skeeter Davis, and a number of others. She signed with Monument Records in late 1965, where she was initially pitched as a bubblegum pop singer, earning only one national chart single, "Happy, Happy Birthday Baby," which did not crack the Billboard Top 100. Additional pop singles also failed to chart.
The label agreed to have Parton sing country music after her composition "Put It Off Until Tomorrow" as recorded by Bill Phillips (and with Parton, uncredited, on harmony) went to No. 6 on the country charts in 1966. Her first country single, "Dumb Blonde" (one of the few songs during this era that she recorded but didn't write), reached No. 24 country 1967, followed later the same year with "Something Fishy," which went to No. 17. The two songs anchored her first full-length album, Hello I'm Dolly, that same year.
In 1967, Parton was asked to join the weekly syndicated country music TV program hosted by Porter Wagoner, replacing Norma Jean. She also signed with RCA Records, Wagoner's label, during this period, where she would remain for the next two decades. Wagoner and Parton immediately began a hugely successful career as a vocal duet in addition to their solo work and their first single together, a cover of Tom Paxton's "The Last Thing on My Mind," reached the top ten on the U.S. country charts in late 1967, and was the first of over a dozen duet singles to chart for them during the next several years.
Parton is a hugely successful songwriter, having begun by writing country songs with strong elements of folk music in them based upon her upbringing in humble mountain surroundings. Her songs "Coat of Many Colors" and "Jolene" have become classics in the field, as have a number of others. As a composer, she is also regarded as one of country music's most gifted storytellers, with many of her narrative songs based on persons and events from her childhood.
In 1982 Dolly Parton sang her song "I Will Always Love You", for the movie "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", starring Parton and Burt Reynolds. The song - originally composed around 1974 - made few ripples, but it wasn't until Whitney Houston re-recorded it for "The Bodyguard" a decade later, that the song made yet another international hit for Dolly Parton. She later put out her own version on the 1996 album of the same name.
In 1987, Parton left her longtime label, RCA, and signed with Columbia Records, where her recording career continued to prosper, but by the mid 1990s, Parton, along with many other performers of her generation, found that her new music was not welcome on country radio playlists. She recorded a series of critically acclaimed bluegrass albums, beginning with "The Grass is Blue" (1999) and "Little Sparrow" (2001), both of which won Grammy Awards. Her 2002 album "Halos and Horns" included a bluegrass version of the Led Zeppelin classic Stairway to Heaven. In 2005, Parton released Those Were The Days, her interpretation of hits from the folk-rock era of the late 1960s through early 1970s. The CD featured such classics as John Lennon's "Imagine," Cat Stevens' "Where Do The Children Play," Tommy James' "Crimson & Clover," and the folk classic "Where Have All The Flowers Gone", as well as the title track.
In 2007, Dolly paved new musical ground by forming her own record label, Dolly Records. The label's first release - Backwoods Barbie - debuted at #2 on the Billboard country albums charts and marks Parton's first mainstream country album in 17 years. Parton is touring North America and Europe throughout 2008 in support of her latest release.
1955
Afraid to Live and Afraid of Dying
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Could hurt your health
Be careful what you drink
Don't harm yourself
And pollution in the air might make you sick
Makes you afraid to live
Afraid that you might die too quick
This danger really know?
Life is a gift to be enjoyed
And not to worry so
The biggest danger sign that we should know
Make sure we're right with God as
Through this world we go
We're afraid to live 'cause
We're afraid of dying
And afraid to love the one we love
Afraid they might be lying
We can't enjoy life when they say each
Thing might bring an early grave
We're afraid to live 'cause
We're afraid of dying
Do the men that quote
This danger really know?
Life is a gift to be enjoyed, why worry so?
The biggest danger sign that we should know
Make sure we're right with God as
Through this world we go
Make sure we're right with God as
Through this world we go
In Dolly Parton's song "Afraid to Live and Afraid of Dying," she reflects on the fear that permeates our lives due to the constant reminders of potential dangers and risks. The lyrics acknowledge the prevalent advice and warnings regarding what we eat, drink, and the pollution we breathe, instilling a sense of fear and caution. It suggests that these warnings create a sense of apprehension, causing us to be afraid to fully live our lives, as we constantly worry about the potential risks and harm that could befall us.
The song also questions the credibility of those who warn us about these dangers, asking if they truly understand the joy of life and appreciate the gift it is meant to be. It encourages listeners to not let fear dominate their lives and instead enjoy life and love without constantly doubting or second-guessing. The lyrics emphasize the importance of being at peace with oneself and being in harmony with God, recognizing that life itself is a journey through this world, and it is essential to have faith and spiritual alignment as we navigate it.
In summary, "Afraid to Live and Afraid of Dying" highlights the pervasive fear that society cultivates through constant warnings and safety precautions, and encourages listeners to embrace life, love, and enjoy each moment while maintaining a sense of spiritual connection and faith.
Line by Line Meaning
They say most anything you eat
According to these individuals, consuming any type of food can potentially harm your well-being
Could hurt your health
It has the potential to negatively affect your physical well-being
Be careful what you drink
Exercise caution in regards to the beverages you consume
Don't harm yourself
Take precautions to ensure you don't cause harm to your own body
And pollution in the air might make you sick
The presence of air pollution has the potential to lead to illness
Makes you afraid to live
These warnings and concerns instill a fear of fully embracing life
Afraid that you might die too quick
The apprehension stems from the fear of an untimely death
Do the men that quote
Are the men who assert these warnings
This danger really know?
Truly aware of the extent of this perceived danger?
Life is a gift to be enjoyed
Life is bestowed upon us as a precious present meant to be cherished
And not to worry so
Instead of constant concern, it's beneficial to let go of unnecessary worries
The biggest danger sign that we should know
The most significant warning indicator that demands our attention
Make sure we're right with God as
Ensuring that our spiritual relationship with God is in order while
Through this world we go
Navigating our way through the journey of life
We're afraid to live 'cause
The reason we fear experiencing life is because
We're afraid of dying
We're frightened of the prospect of death
And afraid to love the one we love
There exists a fear of fully embracing and trusting our loved ones
Afraid they might be lying
Apprehensive that the individuals we care about may not be truthful
We can't enjoy life when they say each
It becomes challenging to find joy in life when there's constant insistence that every
Thing might bring an early grave
Action or circumstance could lead to a premature death
Make sure we're right with God as
We should ensure our spiritual alignment with God while
Through this world we go
Moving through the journey of life
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Romy K.
on Gypsy Joe And Me
As a matter of fact she's contemplating suicide standing on the bridge, that's how they'll be together again.