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
Before The Next Teardrop Falls
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then I wish you both the best
It's your happiness that matters most of all
But if she ever breaks your heart
If the teardrops ever start
I'll be there before the next teardrop falls
Though it hurts to let you go
I'll run to you if ever you should call
And if I should ever hear
That she's made you shed a tear
I'll be there before the next teardrop falls
I'll be there anytime you need me by your side
To dry away each teardrop you've cried
If she ever leaves you blue
Just remember I love you
And I'll be there
Before the next teardrop falls
All I Estare Candor me necesites a tu lado
Para borrar cadda lagrima que haya llorado
If he ever leaves you blue
Just remember I love you
And I'll be there
Before the next teardrop falls
I'll be there, I'll be there
Before the next teardrop falls
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" express deep emotions of love and care for someone even after they have moved on with someone else. The singer of the song wishes the person and their new lover happiness and promises to be there for them if they ever need support. The lyrics powerfully convey the theme of selfless and unconditional love. The line "It's your happiness that matters most of all" highlights the essence of the song, which is about prioritizing the well-being of someone even if that means letting them go.
The second and third stanzas emphasize the depth of the singer's feelings and commitment to being there for the person. They express the willingness to run to the person's aid at any time and wipe away their tears. The bridge of the song, which is in Spanish, adds another layer of emotion to the already touching lyrics. It translates to "I'll be there anytime you need me by your side, to dry away each teardrop you've cried."
Overall, "Before The Next Teardrop Falls" is a moving tribute to the power of love and the importance of supporting those we care for, especially during times of heartbreak.
Line by Line Meaning
If she brings you happiness
If this new person in your life is bringing you joy and making you happy
Then I wish you both the best
I genuinely want happiness for you and this other person
It's your happiness that matters most of all
Your happiness should be the number one priority
But if she ever breaks your heart
However, if this person hurts you in any way
If the teardrops ever start
If you shed a single tear over this person
I'll be there before the next teardrop falls
I will be there for you to help you through the pain and heartbreak
Though it hurts to let you go
Even though it hurts to say goodbye
Darling I want you to know
I want you to understand
I'll run to you if ever you should call
I'll be there for you whenever you need me - just call and I'll come running
And if I should ever hear
If I learn that you're hurting or in pain
That she's made you shed a tear
That this person has caused you to cry
I'll be there before the next teardrop falls
I will be there to comfort you before you even shed another tear
I'll be there anytime you need me by your side
I will always be there for you, no matter what time of day or night
To dry away each teardrop you've cried
I'll wipe away every tear you've cried
If she ever leaves you blue
If this new person ever makes you feel sad or unhappy
Just remember I love you
Please don't forget that I love you and care about you deeply
And I'll be there before the next teardrop falls
I'll be there for you as soon as you need me, before you even have a chance to cry
I'll be there, I'll be there
You can count on me to always be there for you and support you
Before the next teardrop falls
I'll try my best to keep you from experiencing any more pain or sadness
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Ben Peters, Vivian Keith
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
brian tammenga
Its 2023...almost midnight...listening to this master piece...thank you Dolly❤
Hannifa Thompson
This song tells the true meaning of love. Its like u can love someone but ur not the one he is with but u still love him no matter what. I love this song
Scott Williams
Simple Music can make you sing. a Simple hug can make you feel better Simple things can make you happy, i hope my Simple Hello makes you smile..
Babie Zorinpuii
Still my favorite song in 2022 . Love it
Jenny Allan
This song means a lot to me only those who have been in true love knows how deep the song is
Novi Tochhawng
Exactly...you're right
Hopeson Khundrakpam
I will say big YES
Eddie Kaviti
I can relate. But not anymore
Rebecca Green
Yes you are so very right
Nandutu carol Carol
Indeed