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
Another Woman's Man
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't know why I trust him I just know his heart is true
I don't know why he's more a man than any man I know
I don't know how I know the man's for real but I still know
The man is more than what meets the eye he is worn and weary from life
He is rugged but he's got style the man has got what matters inside
Weary yes he must get weary but he doesn't say
But you can read between the lines that wind along his face
And you can see the sadness in the eyes they hide behind
The man is more than what meets the eye...
Love him yes I've always loved him and I always will
He holds a place in my heart no one else could ever fill
He's always been my hero, the best friend I've ever had
The man is something special and I'm proud that he's my dad
The man is more than what meets the eye...
The man is more than what meets the eye...
In Dolly Parton's song "Another Woman's Man," the singer confesses her feelings for a man who is already taken. She acknowledges that she doesn't understand why she likes him or trusts him, but she knows that he is a good and true person. The man is described as having qualities that set him apart from other men - he is more of a man than any other the singer knows. The lyrics suggest that the man has been through a lot - he is worn down and has memories that he keeps hidden - but he still possesses a certain rugged style that highlights his inner strength.
Despite the man's difficulties, the singer remains devoted to him. He is someone who has always been a hero to her, and she is proud to call him her dad. The song seems to be a celebration of this bond between father and daughter, as well as an acknowledgement of the ways in which we can be drawn to those who may not be the best choice for us.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know why I like him I just only know I do
I can't explain why I have feelings for him, but my affection for him is undeniable.
I don't know why I trust him I just know his heart is true
Although I can't pinpoint the reason, I have complete faith in him because he is genuine and sincere.
I don't know why he's more a man than any man I know
There is something about him that sets him apart from other men, making him the epitome of what a man should be in my eyes.
I don't know how I know the man's for real but I still know
Even though I can't explain it, I have an intuitive sense that he is authentic and trustworthy.
The man is more than what meets the eye he is worn and weary from life
Although he may seem like an ordinary man on the surface, he has experienced hardship and struggle that have left their mark on him.
He is rugged but he's got style the man has got what matters inside
He may have a rough exterior, but he possesses inner qualities such as strength, character, and integrity that make him a remarkable person.
Weary yes he must get weary but he doesn't say
Although he undoubtedly experiences fatigue and exhaustion, he doesn't complain or seek sympathy from others.
But you can read between the lines that wind along his face
His face bears the signs of his struggles and experiences, and those who pay attention can discern the depth of his character and the extent of his resilience.
The man has got his memories that he hides inside his mind
He carries with him a multitude of memories, both positive and negative, that he keeps to himself and does not share with others.
And you can see the sadness in the eyes they hide behind
Despite his strength and character, there is a hint of sorrow and pain that he keeps hidden behind his eyes.
Love him yes I've always loved him and I always will
My feelings for him are deep and enduring, and will never fade.
He holds a place in my heart no one else could ever fill
He has a special and irreplaceable position in my life and affections that no one else could ever claim.
He's always been my hero, the best friend I've ever had
He is more than just a love interest to me - he is also a hero and a dear friend, someone I admire and respect deeply.
The man is something special and I'm proud that he's my dad
He is not just any man - he is my father, and I am proud to be his daughter because of the outstanding qualities he possesses.
The man is more than what meets the eye...
This line serves as a refrain or a reminder that despite what may seem apparent on the surface, there is always more to a person than meets the eye.
Contributed by Evelyn T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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.