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
Bluer Pastures
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I was lookin' for greener pastures
When I left my old Kentucky home
I was chasin' after dreams I thought I'd master
So I left the one that loved me all along
Thinkin' only of myself and doin' better
Didn't care about the grief I left behind
So sure I'd be successful in no time
Now I'm heading for bluer pastures
And back to the one who's heart I broke
To the bluegrass state of Kentucky
Where he waits with open for me I hope
Ain't it funny how you are when you're younger?
How what you have is never good enough
How the years will find you searchin' through your plunder
Lookin' for the treasures you gave up
Well the seasons came, they went
The dreams all shattered
While the grass just stayed a lonely shade of brown
Then I realized I'd lost all that had mattered
So with foolish pride aside, I'm homeward bound
Now I'm heading for bluer pastures
And back to the one who's heart I broke
To the bluegrass state of ole Kentucky
Where he waits with open for me I hope
Now I'm heading for bluer pastures
Where the bluegrass waves sweetly in the wind
Where the bluegrass music's always playin'
To the haunting sound of Monroe's mandolin
I'm heading for bluer pastures
In Dolly Parton's song "Bluer Pastures," she reflects on her past choices and the consequences they had. She sings about leaving her home in Kentucky to chase after her dreams without any regard for the people she left behind. She admits that she was looking for greener pastures, but in doing so, she left behind someone who loved her unconditionally. As time passed, she came to realize that she had lost what mattered most: the love and support of those she left behind. So, she decides to head back to Kentucky and the person whose heart she broke.
Parton's lyrics are reflective and contemplative, exploring how we often don't appreciate what we have until it's gone. She acknowledges the mistakes she made, the thoughtlessness of her actions, and the regret she feels for the pain she caused. The song is a reminder that sometimes, we need to stop and reflect on our choices, and consider the impact they have on those around us.
Line by Line Meaning
I was lookin' for greener pastures
I was searching for something better, something more fulfilling than what I had.
When I left my old Kentucky home
I left the place where I grew up, where I had roots and people who loved me.
I was chasin' after dreams I thought I'd master
I was pursuing my ambitions and plans, convinced that I could achieve my goals.
So I left the one that loved me all along
I abandoned the person who had always cared for me, who had shown me love and devotion.
Thinkin' only of myself and doin' better
I was selfish and focused solely on my own interests and success.
Didn't care about the grief I left behind
I was insensitive to the pain and suffering I caused others by leaving them behind.
Didn't even make a card or write a letter
I didn't bother to send a message or show any concern for the people I left behind.
So sure I'd be successful in no time
I was confident that my plans and dreams would quickly lead to my prosperity and achievement.
Now I'm heading for bluer pastures
I have come to realize that there is something else I need, something that I have been missing.
And back to the one who's heart I broke
I am returning to the person I hurt, the one I left behind and caused pain.
To the bluegrass state of Kentucky
I am going back to the place where I came from, the land that I call my home.
Where he waits with open for me I hope
I hope that the person I hurt and abandoned will still be willing to forgive and accept me.
Ain't it funny how you are when you're younger?
Isn't it ironic how your perspective and priorities change as you grow older and gain life experiences?
How what you have is never good enough
No matter how much you achieve or possess, you always crave more and never feel satisfied.
How the years will find you searchin' through your plunder
As time passes, you will realize that what you thought was valuable or important is actually worthless, and thus you seek what you really need.
Lookin' for the treasures you gave up
You regret the choices you made and the opportunities you missed, and you try to recover what you lost.
Well the seasons came, they went
Life went on, time passed, and things changed without your influence.
The dreams all shattered
Your aspirations and hopes did not come true, and you realized that they were unreasonable or unrealistic.
While the grass just stayed a lonely shade of brown
The world around you did not change or improve, but remained dull and lifeless.
Then I realized I'd lost all that had mattered
You came to the realization that what you truly needed and wanted was already within your reach, but you ignored or abandoned it.
So with foolish pride aside, I'm homeward bound
You set aside your foolish pride and return to where you belong, to the place and people that truly matter to you.
Where the bluegrass waves sweetly in the wind
Returning to Kentucky, you are surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of nature, and you appreciate the simple things in life.
Where the bluegrass music's always playin'
The sounds and rhythms of bluegrass music fill the air, reminding you of your roots and the culture that you cherish.
To the haunting sound of Monroe's mandolin
The music is both familiar and haunting, evoking memories of the past and the emotions you feel about returning home.
I'm heading for bluer pastures
You are moving forward, with a new perspective and appreciation for what you have, and hopeful for what the future holds.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
cxd2you
oh WOW! DOLLY is the best songwriter ever! Lyrics are amazing! Music is amazing! Love how DOLLY sings this song! - perfect song! - it just gets straight to your heart and mind! Thank you DOLLY !
Ain't it funny how you are when you're younger?
How what you have is never good enough
How the years will find you searchin' through your plunder
Lookin' for the treasures you gave up
Well the seasons came, they went
The dreams all shattered
While the grass just stayed a lonely shade of brown
Then I realized I'd lost all that had mattered
So with foolish pride aside, I'm homeward bound
Ruth music
Love this song and love this album.The best bluegrass!
hawkchild
One of my favorite bluegrass songs of all time.
cxd2you
oh WOW! DOLLY is the best songwriter ever! Lyrics are amazing! Music is amazing! Love how DOLLY sings this song! - perfect song! - it just gets straight to your heart and mind! Thank you DOLLY !
Ain't it funny how you are when you're younger?
How what you have is never good enough
How the years will find you searchin' through your plunder
Lookin' for the treasures you gave up
Well the seasons came, they went
The dreams all shattered
While the grass just stayed a lonely shade of brown
Then I realized I'd lost all that had mattered
So with foolish pride aside, I'm homeward bound
Jessie Gray
I absolutely love this song! I have been searching for it all over.
HePlays88K3ys
SO HAVE I!! I could never find it anywhere. I was so glad when she released
all these songs on here back in April.
Nemuel Ondima
I'm glad I found this song. Beautifully written.
Lori Esters
Love it!
WWE figure Matches
She has a beautiful voice
annerozes7
Beautifully song and written.
Samuel Kipng'etich
OMG... I have been desperately looking for this song for 2 years. Thanks God now I have it.