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
Best Woman Wins
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What do you think this is
A game you can play tryin' to steal him away
Well I don't need a heartache like this
Well don't think I don't go through hell
But heaven is what we both want
He's easy to love but he's hard to give up
The best woman wins I will fight 'til the end
I'll lay down and die if I must
I'll beg and I'll plead I will suffer and bleed
But he must make a choice between us
This soap opera play that we're in
Is just like you watch on t.v.
But I never thought that I'd ever get caught in it
Starring you him and me
In love as in war all is fair
So a fight to the finish begins
When you fight from desire you fight fire with fire
So may the best woman win
The best woman wins I will fight 'til the end
I'll lay down and die if I must
I'll beg and I'll plead I will suffer and bleed
But he must make a choice between us
So may the best woman win
May the best woman win
May the best woman win
I'll never give up or give in
So may the best woman win (best woman win)
The best woman win (best woman win)
The best woman win (best woman win)
I'll never give up or give in
So may the best woman win
May the best woman win
May the best woman win (best woman win)
I'll never give up or give in
So may the best woman win
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's "Best Woman Wins" revolve around a love triangle between the singer, her partner, and another woman who is trying to come between them. The singer is determined to fight for her relationship, no matter what it takes, and declares that she will be the one to win in the end. She acknowledges the hardships of the situation but believes that if she fights hard enough, she will come out on top. The last lines of the song repeat the phrase "May the best woman win," emphasizing the competitive nature of the situation and the determination of the singer.
The lyrics of "Best Woman Wins" reflect the theme of many of Dolly Parton's songs, which focus on strong-willed, independent women who are not afraid to fight for what they want. Parton is known for her empowering lyrics and her ability to connect with audiences on a personal level through her music. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody also make it a fan favorite.
Line by Line Meaning
Who do you think you are
Addressing the other woman who is showing interest in her man, Dolly wants to know the woman's identity so they can proceed with this conversation respectfully.
What do you think this is
Asking the other woman to clarify her intentions in seeking Dolly's man's attention.
A game you can play tryin' to steal him away
Dolly makes it clear that she knows what the other woman is up to and warns her not to try and steal her man.
Well, I don't need a heartache like this
Dolly is expressing her disappointment and frustration with the situation brought on by the other woman's actions.
Well don't think I don't go through hell
Dolly admits that this situation has been challenging for her too.
But heaven is what we both want
Though she also has to suffer, Dolly insists that she and the other woman both desire the same thing - to be with Dolly's man.
He's easy to love but he's hard to give up
Dolly acknowledges that her man is great and expresses how hard it would be to let him go.
And if you think I will, well you're wrong
However, Dolly vows not to give up on her man without a fight.
The best woman wins, I will fight 'til the end
Dolly asserts that the competition is on and she's willing to fight for her man.
I'll lay down and die if I must
Dolly expresses how serious she is willing to take this competition, even if it means complete sacrifice on her part.
I'll beg and I'll plead, I will suffer and bleed
Dolly says she's willing to go to great lengths to win her man, no matter how painful it may be for her.
But he must make a choice between us
At the end, Dolly insists that her man is the one who must decide who he wants to be with.
This soap opera play that we're in
Comparing her situation to a drama TV series, Dolly remarks on how difficult and intense the situation has become.
Is just like you watch on t.v.
Dolly elaborates on how similar the real-life situation is to the dramatic scenarios typically presented on TV.
But I never thought that I'd ever get caught in it
Dolly acknowledges that she never expected to find herself in a situation like this, but it has happened anyway.
Starring you, him, and me
Dolly refers to the situation as a 'play' with only three characters - herself, the other woman, and her man.
In love as in war all is fair
Dolly acknowledges that she's willing to play rough in the game of love, even if it means doing things that could be seen as unfair.
So a fight to the finish begins
Dolly states that the competition has begun and will not end until her man makes a final decision.
When you fight from desire, you fight fire with fire
Dolly says that when fighting for love, you need to be just as passionate and direct in your approach as the other person.
So may the best woman win
Dolly reiterates that she's in it to win it and may the best woman come out victorious.
May the best woman win
Dolly repeats her earlier statement, emphasizing that the competition is still ongoing.
I'll never give up or give in
Dolly expresses her determination to continue pursuing her man no matter what obstacles come her way.
So may the best woman win (best woman win)
Dolly again emphasizes that she's in it to win and is hoping for the best possible outcome.
The best woman win (best woman win)
Dolly encourages her fellow competitor to bring her best game
The best woman wins (best woman win)
Dolly repeats the central idea of the song - that the ultimate winner of this love triangle will be the best woman.
May the best woman win
Dolly concludes by repeating the main idea once again, emphasizing the theme of competition and determination.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
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.