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
Better Get to Livin'
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(Ooh-ooh)
People always comin' up to me and askin'
"Dolly, what's your secret?
With all you do, your attitude
Just seems to be so good
How do you keep it?"
To offer up a few words of advice
You better get to livin', givin'
Don't forget to throw in a little forgivin'
And love along the way
You better get to knowin', showin'
A little bit more concern about where you're goin'
Here's a word unto the wise
You better get to livin'
(Ah-ha)
A girlfriend came to my house
Started cryin' on my shoulder Sunday evening (better get to livin')
She was spinnin' such a sad tale
I could not believe the yarn that she was weavin' (better get to livin')
So negative the words she had to say
I said if I had a violin I'd play
I said you'd better get to livin', givin'
Be willing and forgivin'
'Cause all healin'g has to start with you
You better stop whinin', pinin'
Get your dreams in line
And then just shine, design, refine
'Til they come true
And you better get to livin'
Your life's a wreck, your house is mess
And your wardrobe way outdated
All your plans just keep on fallin' through
Overweight and under paid, under appreciated
I'm no guru, but I'll tell you
This I know is true
You better get to livin', givin'
A little more thought about bein'
A little more willin' to make a better way (make a better way)
Don't sweat the small stuff
Keep your chin up
Just hang tough
And if it gets too rough
Fall on your knees and pray (ooh, everyday)
And do that everyday
Then you'll get to livin'
(Ah-ha)
The day we're born we start to die
Don't waste one minute of this life
Get to livin' (better get to livin')
Share your dreams and share your laughter
Make some points for the great hereafter (better get to livin')
Better start carin'
Better start sharin'
Better start tryin'
Better start smiling
And you better get to livin'
In Dolly Parton's song "Better Get to Livin'," she gives advice for living a fulfilling life. People often ask her how she maintains her positive attitude, and she responds by emphasizing the importance of giving, forgiving, and loving. She encourages listeners to be more concerned with where they are going and to stop whining and start shining, designing, and refining their dreams. She advises not to sweat the small stuff and to keep your chin up, but to also fall on your knees and pray when things get tough. The song acknowledges that life is short and encourages listeners to start caring, sharing, trying, and smiling in order to truly start living.
Line by Line Meaning
People always comin' up to me and askin', 'Dolly, what's your secret?'
People often ask me how I manage to be so positive despite everything.
With all you do, your attitude, Just seems to be so good, How do you keep it?'
People usually associate my positive attitude with the various things I do. They want to know how I keep myself happy and motivated.
Well, I'm not the Dalai Lama, but I'll try, To offer up a few words of advice
I may not be an expert on philosophy, but I can share some lessons and wisdom that have helped me through tough times.
You better get to livin', givin', Don't forget to throw in a little forgivin', And lovin' on the way, You better get to knowin', showin', A little bit more concerned about where you're goin', Just a word unto the wise, You better get to livin'
My advice to anyone who wants to be happy and successful is to start living, giving, loving, and showing concern for their goals. Do it now rather than waiting, as life is too short to waste on regrets.
A girlfriend came to my house, Started cryin' on my shoulder Sunday evening, She was spinnin' such a sad tale, I could not believe the yarn that she was weavin'
A friend recently came to me seeking a shoulder to cry on, and her story was so sad that I could hardly believe it could happen in real life.
So negative the words she had to say, I said if I had a violin I'd play
My friend had nothing but negative things to say, leaving me wishing I had a way to portray my feelings about her story in a creative way.
You better get to livin', givin', Be willing and forgivin', Cause all healing has to start with you, You better stop whining, pining, Get your dreams in line, And then just shine, design, refine, Until they come true, And you better get to livin'
I told her that the healing process begins with yourself, and you need to focus on living, giving, and being forgiving. It's time to stop complaining and delaying things, start planning, and excel in what you do.
Your life's a wreck, your house is mess, And your wardrobe way outdated, All your plans just keep on falling through, Overweight and underpaid, underappreciated, I'm no guru, but I'll tell you, This I know is true.
If you feel like nothing is going right in your life and are stuck in a rut, you need to understand that you need to make changes. You can improve your life by fixing your home, updating your wardrobe, working hard, and being more appreciated.
You better get to livin', givin', A little more thought about bein', A little more willin' to make a better way, Don't sweat the small stuff, Keep your chin up, Just hang tough, And if it gets too rough, Fall on your knees and pray, And do that every day, Then you'll get to livin'
You need to start caring and sharing, willing to face challenges and willing to work hard to create a better life for yourself. Don't worry about the small things; instead, stay strong and pray for guidance.
The day we're born we start to die, Don't waste one minute of this life, Get to livin', Share your dreams and share your laughter, Make some points for the great hereafter, Better start carin', Better start sharin', Better start tryin', Better start smiling, And you better get to livin'...
We all have a limited time on earth, so we need to make the most of it by living to the fullest. Share your dreams and your sense of humor, and work towards creating a better future for yourself and those around you. Start caring, sharing, trying, and smiling; these things will help you make the most of your life.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton, Michael K. Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mrs Nesbitt
It doesn't matter how low I am, Dolly will always cheer me up. She is the epitome of positivity!
Octagon9
such positivity can’t possibly be faked
Kaesy Govea
Yes amen !
Mark Julius Fortaleza
Very true dolly dolly brilliant singer songwriter in and out good persona
Billy Saylors
Amen damn right
Jose Rebolledo
She is just what I needed to cheer up a little bit
Rydel6
56 dislikes? these people must be dead inside lol this is the most uplifting song ive heard in ages, i was delighted to discover the video! i listen to this song whenever i get into one of "those" moods :)
Octagon9
as some say they got so excited to be lovin’ they accidentally pressed wrong button...it can happen I’ve done it and I’m sure u have so u know
Elma Ware
I never get tired of listening to Dolly's songs and hearing her voice always makes my day brighter and happier! 👠💕💋🙏
Kaitlyn Bess
"Well, I'm not the Dalai Lama, but I'll try to offer up a few words of advice" Hahahaa. I love Dolly.