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
Bless You
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I had to start all over with just my family by my side
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
Chorus:
And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the ones who died who gave that right to me
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A.
From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee
Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.
There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say.
Chorus:
And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the ones who died who gave that right to me
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A.
Proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free
And I won't forget the ones who died who gave that right to me
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land...God bless the U.S.A.
God Bless the U.S.A., the U.S.A...
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's song "Bless You" convey a deep sense of patriotism and gratitude for the United States of America. The opening verse reflects on the concept of resilience and starting anew with only the support of family, cherishing the freedom symbolized by the American flag that cannot be taken away. It speaks to the foundational values and ideals that the country was built upon and the gratitude for being able to live in a land where freedom still exists.
The chorus emphasizes the singer's pride in being an American, highlighting the importance of remembering and honoring those who sacrificed their lives to protect and uphold that freedom. The commitment to stand up and defend the country alongside fellow Americans is a central theme, underscoring the unity and strength that comes from a shared love for the nation. The repetition of the phrase "God bless the U.S.A." reinforces the sentiment of invoking blessings upon the country and its people.
The subsequent verse lyrically travels across the diverse landscapes of America, from the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee, capturing the vast expanse and varied beauty of the nation. The geographical references from Detroit to Houston, and New York to L.A., depict the unity and pride that resonates in every American heart. It calls for a collective acknowledgment of this pride and a call to action to express it proudly through words and deeds.
In the closing lines, the repeated assertion of being proud to be an American and the acknowledgment of the sacrifices made for that freedom echo the overarching theme of gratitude and commitment to the country. The resolute declaration of love for the land and the final invocation of "God bless the U.S.A." encapsulates a deep sense of reverence and appreciation for the nation. Overall, the lyrics of "Bless You" by Dolly Parton serve as a heartfelt tribute to the United States and its enduring values of freedom, unity, and patriotism.
Line by Line Meaning
If tomorrow all the things were gone I'd worked for all my life
If I lost everything I've worked for, I would still be grateful for my family and the opportunities I have today.
And I had to start all over with just my family by my side
Starting over with loved ones is all I need to keep going in difficult times.
I'd thank my lucky stars to be living here today
I feel fortunate to live in a country that values freedom and opportunity.
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can't take that away.
The symbol of freedom represented by the flag is something no one can ever take from us.
From the lakes of Minnesota to the hills of Tennessee
Freedom and pride in America can be found from coast to coast.
Across the plains of Texas from sea to shining sea
Every part of this country holds a sense of pride and loyalty to our nation.
From Detroit down to Houston and New York to L.A.
Whether in big cities or small towns, Americans share a common love for their country.
There's pride in every American heart and it's time we stand and say.
It's important to express our love and appreciation for our country and its values.
Proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free
I take pride in being American and value the freedoms we have.
And I won't forget the ones who died who gave that right to me
I remember and honor those who sacrificed for our freedoms and way of life.
And I gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today
I will stand beside my fellow Americans to protect and defend our country.
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land, God bless the U.S.A.
I have no doubt in my love for this country and pray for its continual blessings and prosperity.
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Genevieve Caldwell
I'm a proud Canadian but I celebrate the American Independence Day every year, for there's such a deep pride and love in Americans and the US is a mesmerizing country. I love it.
Easter
I'm proud Kenyan but I love this song so much โค๏ธ God bless America..
With love from ๐ฐ๐ช๐ฐ๐ช
Cheers to Wine
What a Beautiful rendition of this amazing song. No one sings it better then Lee Greenwood until I heard you sing it Dolly. You always seem to make everything better. Thanks for loving our troops and our country.
Jill hebert
I can't believe she'll be 75 years young !! God bless you Miss Dolly Parton for your country singing through the years ๐
Kryoptic
This song always gives me chills. Such an amazing rendition.
Holly Hernandez
I am proud to be a almost American ๐บ๐ธ๐บ๐ฒ
melissa l chadwick
I love this song ๐๐ dolly ๐ sings because I'm proud to be a US citizen as well and it teaches you how to have respect for each other in our country no matter what sometimes you have to forgive others even though they're wrong and you know it in your heart dolly is amazing and she says good examples in many ways for all the young people that are trying hard to make as me and do the best they can and their own little way I love goes out to her deeply as my idol and country singer love always Melissa
talal rene darjani
I love this song ! God bless the USA
Enzic Moon
I didnโt know dolly had a range like this
Adrian Wick
EXCELSIOR ๐ถ๐ฝ๐บ๐ฒ