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
Comin' Home For Christmas
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fileds have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree
Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams
I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams
Christmas Eve will find me...
If only in my dreams
Yes I'll be home I'll be home for Christmas
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's "I'll Be Home for Christmas" encapsulate the essence of the holiday season. Parton's voice is soothing and comforting as she sings about the comfort of home and the warmth of family during this time of year. "I'll be home for Christmas you can count on me" is a poignant line that indicates the importance of family during Christmas. The idea of fields covered in snow, gifts under the tree, and mistletoe captures the essence of traditional Christmas celebrations. The line "Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams" is especially significant because it suggests that even if the singer cannot be physically present with her loved ones, she will still be united with them in spirit.
The final line of the song, "I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams," is a bittersweet reminder of the many sacrifices that people make at Christmas time. For some, it is impossible to travel home for the holidays or to see loved ones due to financial, personal, or logistical reasons. The line underscores the importance of holding onto the hope of reunion and the love that is shared between people.
Line by Line Meaning
I'll be home for Christmas you can count on me
Rest assured, I will be present for the Christmas celebrations at home.
Fields have snow and mistletoe and presents under the tree
The scenery outside is adorned with snowfall and mistletoe, and there are gifts waiting for everyone under the Christmas tree.
Christmas Eve will find me where the love light gleams
On the night of Christmas Eve, I will be where the warmth of love is shining bright.
I'll be home for Christmas if only in my dreams
Even if circumstances do not allow me to be physically present at home for Christmas, I will be there in my dreams.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc., GANNON & KENT MUSIC CO, CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: Kim Gannon, Walter Kent, Buck Ram
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dwightmaciv4789
I allways wanted to go to dollywood for christmas but never could afford it 😔♥️ but i allways make my christmas presents for my family i don't have any kids but my sister does so i spend alot of time maken little wooden trinkets for them and it puts a smile on there face me and dolly grew up alotta like. We share the same mindset a house full of love im from northcarolina so its not that far from east Tennessee love you dolly muahz
@savannahscharwarth1154
God bless you Mrs Dolly
@dwightmaciv4789
Awww dolly
@ellenw391
I am deeply impressed that she put up her whole new album for us to enjoy! Pure pure class!
@manuelorozco7760
This is the 7th track I heard off the album
@brandonjodrey2319
Dolly Parton is The Greatest
@denaclements3936
I love dolly Parton sing and her spirit. I loved her her Christmas program. God bless her
@imolaredm3
Awesome as usual Dolly!! I do like this reworked version. This is now destined to be a holiday classic. Dolly's words and tone bring back such memory of a time of innocence and simplicity in our lives. And I've always thought of this song talking about meeting our lost relatives one day in heaven. Especially when Dolly ends it with "I'm comin' home, I'm comin' home". Bittersweet messaging is her greatest talent.
@imolaredm3
@Dolly Parton Thank you for performing this on your Amazon Live session. It sounded great with added instrumentation and your great background singers. This song is already a classic with me.
@mrs.ericalaurenhornmason3825
Merry Christmas 🎁🎄