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
Applejack
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He lived by the apple orchard in this little orchard shack
His real name was Jackson Taylor but I called him AppleJack
Now old AppleJack was loved by everyone he ever knew
AppleJack picked apples but he picked the banjo too
Play a song for me AppleJack, AppleJack
Play a song for me AppleJack, AppleJack
Play a song, let your banjo ring
Now I'd go down to AppleJack's almost everyday
We'd sit and we'd drink applejack that old AppleJack had made
Then he'd take his banjo down then he'd ask me if I'd sing
And he would play the banjo and I'd play my tambourine
Play a song for me AppleJack, AppleJack
Play a song for me and I'll sing
Play a song for me AppleJack, AppleJack
Play a song, let your banjo ring
That's when I was just a kid and now that I am grown
All I have are memories, old AppleJack is gone
Oh but he left me his banjo and it always takes me back
And everytime I play it I still hear AppleJack
Play a song for me AppleJack, AppleJack
Play a song for me and I'll sing
Play a song for me AppleJack, AppleJack
Play a song, let your banjo ring
Play a song for me AppleJack, AppleJack
Play a song for me and I'll sing
Play a song for me AppleJack, AppleJack
Play a song, let your banjo ring
Play a song for me AppleJack, AppleJack
Play a song for me and I'll sing
Play a song for me AppleJack, AppleJack
Play a song, let your banjo ring
In the song "Applejack" by Dolly Parton, she tells the story of a man named Jackson Taylor who lived in a little orchard shack next to an apple orchard. Dolly calls him AppleJack, and he was loved by everyone he knew. He was known for picking apples, but he also played the banjo. Dolly would often visit him, and they would drink homemade applejack and sing together while AppleJack played the banjo and she played the tambourine.
As Dolly grew up, she lost touch with AppleJack but still cherishes the memories of their time together. She inherited his banjo, which she still plays to this day, and every time she plays it, she remembers AppleJack and their times together. Through the lyrics of the song, Dolly pays tribute to her dear friend who may no longer be with us but left a lasting impact on her life.
Overall, "Applejack" is a heartfelt tribute by Dolly Parton to a dear friend who was a big part of her life. The song speaks to the power of memories and how they can keep loved ones with us long after they are gone.
Line by Line Meaning
He lived by the apple orchard in this little orchard shack
AppleJack resided in a small dwelling near the apple orchard.
His real name was Jackson Taylor but I called him AppleJack
The singer personally referred to Jackson Taylor as AppleJack.
Now old AppleJack was loved by everyone he ever knew
AppleJack was well-liked by everyone who knew him.
AppleJack picked apples but he picked the banjo too
In addition to harvesting apples, AppleJack was also skilled at playing the banjo.
Play a song for me AppleJack, AppleJack
The artist requested that AppleJack play a song on his banjo.
Play a song for me and I'll sing
The singer offered to sing along with AppleJack's music.
Now I'd go down to AppleJack's almost everyday
The singer visited AppleJack frequently.
We'd sit and we'd drink applejack that old AppleJack had made
While visiting, they consumed homemade applejack, a type of alcoholic beverage.
Then he'd take his banjo down then he'd ask me if I'd sing
AppleJack would retrieve his banjo and request that the artist sing along with him.
And he would play the banjo and I'd play my tambourine
The two would make music together, with AppleJack playing the banjo and the artist playing the tambourine.
That's when I was just a kid and now that I am grown
The singer reminisced about visiting AppleJack when she was younger and reflects on the memories as an adult.
All I have are memories, old AppleJack is gone
AppleJack has passed away and the only thing the artist has left is memories of him.
Oh but he left me his banjo and it always takes me back
AppleJack's banjo was left to the singer and it reminds her of him every time she plays it.
And everytime I play it I still hear AppleJack
Playing the banjo allows the singer to feel connected to AppleJack and remember him fondly.
Play a song, let your banjo ring
The singer requested that AppleJack play his banjo with enthusiasm and skill.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
roddy cavin
One of the glories of the internet is the ability to listen to brilliant songs which you haven't heard in years.This is an absolute classic.
darla peppin
applejack will never be gone!
simon888666li
❤
Ilene stewart
I❤
Gigi Du Hermoine
I absolutely love this track.....I still have the cassette tape...Pure back-woods country at it's best!
countrygirl country musiclover
Gigi Du Hermoine first off backwoods is just one word no hyphen. Second of all this song is insanely incredible (I am a HUGE fan of dolly) but if you think this is "backwoods country at it's best" I suggest you listen to a song from about 33 years after this one that is actually CALLED backwoods from Justin moore
Leslie Goldman
I still have the cassette tape too
The good old days
sipioc
I never knew I needed this in my life! A charming song!
CheshorcatBeats
My 9 year old showed this to me... she was looking for My Little Pony videos. She said "dad, this song makes me so happy." My heart melted :)
René Velling Christensen
Dolly did it. ❤️ Shining Star 🌟 ✨