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
Break My Mind
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Made of sand, made of sand
In the wink of an eye my soul is turnin'
In your hand, in your hand
Are you going away with no word of farewell?
Will there be not a trace left behind?
I could've loved you better
You know that was the last thing on my mind
As we walk along, my thoughts are tumblin'
'Round and 'round, 'round and 'round
Underneath our feet a subway's rumblin'
Underground, underground
Are you going away with no word of farewell?
Will there be not a trace left behind?
I could've loved you better
Didn't mean to be unkind
You know that was the last thing on my mind
I've got reason a plenty for goin'
This I know, this I know
The weeds have been steadily growin'
Please don't go, please don't go
Are you going away with no word of farewell?
Will there be not a trace left behind?
I could've loved you better
Didn't mean to be unkind
You know that was the last thing on my mind
Are you going away with no word of farewell?
Will there be not a trace left behind?
I could've loved you better
Didn't mean to be unkind
You know that was the last thing on my mind
You know that was the last thing on my mind
In Dolly Parton's song "The Last Thing on My Mind," the singer reflects on a painful breakup and expresses regret for not loving their partner better. The lyrics convey a sense of realization and remorse for how they may have unintentionally hurt their partner. The opening lines, "It's a lesson too late for the learning / Made of sand, made of sand," suggest that the singer has now come to understand the fragility of their relationship, comparing it to something easily crumbled like sand. The following lines, "In the wink of an eye my soul is turnin' / In your hand, in your hand," emphasize the power their partner had over their emotions and the brevity of their relationship.
The chorus of the song repeats the heart-wrenching question, "Are you going away with no word of farewell? / Will there be not a trace left behind?" This portrays the singer's fear of their partner leaving without any explanation or closure, leaving them with no understanding of what went wrong. They acknowledge that they could have loved their partner better and didn't mean to be unkind, suggesting that they may have taken their partner for granted or not invested enough into the relationship. The repetition of the line "You know that was the last thing on my mind" further emphasizes the regret and sorrow the singer feels for not prioritizing their relationship.
In the second verse, as the couple walks together, the singer's thoughts are tumbling around, possibly reflecting the confusion and turmoil in their mind. The mention of a subway rumbling underground symbolizes the hidden tension and unresolved issues within their relationship. The subsequent verse repeats the chorus, emphasizing the fear of being left behind without any explanation.
Overall, "The Last Thing on My Mind" portrays the singer's realization of their mistakes and the pain they carry from the end of the relationship. It reflects the common human experience of not fully appreciating something until it's gone and the regret that follows.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a lesson too late for the learning
I have realized the lesson too late and now it cannot be applied
Made of sand, made of sand
The foundation of our relationship was fragile and easily broken
In the wink of an eye my soul is turnin'
My emotions have suddenly shifted and I am experiencing inner turmoil
In your hand, in your hand
You have control over my emotions and well-being
Are you going away with no word of farewell?
Are you leaving without saying goodbye?
Will there be not a trace left behind?
Will there be no evidence of our relationship?
I could've loved you better
I realize I could have shown you more love and affection
Didn't mean to be unkind
I didn't intend to treat you poorly or hurt you
You know that was the last thing on my mind
Hurtful actions were not my intention at all
As we walk along, my thoughts are tumblin'
As we continue in our relationship, my thoughts are chaotic and confused
'Round and 'round, 'round and 'round
My thoughts are endlessly circling without a clear direction
Underneath our feet a subway's rumblin'
There is an underlying tension or conflict between us
Underground, underground
This tension exists beneath the surface, not openly acknowledged
I've got reason a plenty for goin'
I have many valid reasons for wanting to leave
This I know, this I know
I am certain of my decision to leave
The weeds have been steadily growin'
Problems and issues in our relationship have been accumulating and worsening
Please don't go, please don't go
I am pleading with you to stay and not end our relationship
You know that was the last thing on my mind
The thought of you leaving was the furthest thing from my thoughts
You know that was the last thing on my mind
The thought of you leaving was the furthest thing from my thoughts
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tom Paxton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tommytwotoes3880
I have never heard anyone say a single negative word about Dolly. If ever there was a national treasure, she is it.
@EagleArrow
She is that. May God continue to bless her and all she does!
@eatcat2
She let that demon little Nas x record her song that was definitely a black mark no pun intended
@diannesquyres4493
I have always suspected she is liberal but smart enough to keep her political opinions to herself, between her close friends and loved ones.
Very intelligent of her.
Kept the $ rolling in.
@EagleArrow
@@diannesquyres4493 In some ways she might have been as she had to fight for equality being a woman in the business she is in, but I also feel she is conservative on a lot of other things. She once said she looks like a woman, but thinks like a man so she is really good at business and isn't going to let anyone steal from her or under pay her. So maybe women just need to be a more bold, confident in who they are and the gifts they have, but in a charming, no nonsense way to get deals done.
@EagleArrow
@@eatcat2 She makes $ everytime his version is played.
@JessicaC.
Stella Parton used to babysit me. My father is best friends with Randy Parton. I am very good friends with Dolly's niece Heidi. Dolly is absolutely gorgeous but I always thought that Stella was so beautiful still is beautiful! All of the Parton brothers and sisters have amazing hearts! They wear them on their sleeves for sure.
@alexanderlapp5048
That is so cool you had that sweet lady babysit you. I agree Stella is a beautiful lady. I saw her in 7 Brides for 7 Brothers. She was so cute in that movie.
Those 60s hair styles though, I am glad those are gone. My mom's older sisters had similar styles and their senior pictures are at my grandma's house. I remember looking at those pictures as a kid and wondering if who were those to women with the strange hair. I was born in 72 and I don't remember it anyone with hair like that. I had some strange hair in the 80s though.
Thank you for sharing.
@foxibot
Wh9ch one is Stella ma cher? I’m a louisiana cajien but I Love Dolly. They said Stella has a great Twitter feed.
@alexanderlapp5048
@@foxibot,
Stella is the one on the left with the short blonde hair.