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
Country Is as Country Does
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eat sushi raw or my catfish fried
Wherever I am, then that's where I belong
'Cause I'm quite content with who I am
And if you ain't, well, kiss my ham
Country is as country does and I'm country to the bone
Country is as country does
It's the way I always will be, that's for sure
Country born and country bred
Countrified and country-fed
A country heart and a country head
'Cause I'm country to the core
Now, I can drive a tractor or a Cadillac
I can fly first class or slum in the back
But I'll be the same ol' gal when I arrive
Oh I can wear denim or I can wear silk
Drink champagne or chocolate milk
Take the best or live with less, 'cause a country girl survives
Country is as country does
It's the way I am and it's the way I was
And the way I'll be until they lay me low
Country born and country bred
I'm countrified and I'm country-fed
And I'll be that way 'til I'm country dead
'Cause I'm country head to toe
And what you see is what you get
Nothing's ever changed me yet
Nothing will, it's a pretty safe bet
'Cause I'm country through and through
Oh, that's country!
Country is as country does
It's the way I am and it's the way I was
It's the way I'll be until my dying day
I'm country born and country bred
Countrified and country-fed
And nothing done and nothing said can change my country ways
Nothing done and nothing said
Nothing's gonna change my country ways
I don't think so
Wouldn't change if I could
Country is as country does
It's the way I is and it's the way I was
Country born and country bred
I'm countrified and I'm country-fed, you know that
I'm country (she's country)
But now that don't mean I can't go to town!
In Dolly Parton's song "Country Is as Country Does", the lyrics speak of someone who is comfortable with who they are despite the different paths they could go down. The lyrics speak of being comfortable in any situation and making the most of what one has, whether it be living in a mansion or a double-wide, eating sushi or catfish, or driving a Cadillac or a tractor. The chorus makes the point that as long as someone stays true to who they are, that is what really matters. The lyrics also acknowledge the misconception that being "country" means someone can't leave their hometown or participate in more formal settings. The song celebrates the fact that while someone may be country, it doesn't mean they can't go to town and still be true to themselves.
Overall, the song celebrates authenticity and the power of staying true to oneself despite outside pressure or societal expectations. The lyrics emphasize that being "country" is not just about a location or a particular lifestyle, but a mindset and a way of being that is not limited by one's surroundings.
Line by Line Meaning
I can live in a mansion or a double-wide
It doesn't matter where I live, whether in a luxurious mansion or a simple double-wide trailer, my country identity stays with me.
Eat sushi raw or my catfish fried
I'm open to trying new things, like eating raw sushi or traditional Southern catfish fried to perfection, but my roots will always be in country cooking.
Wherever I am, then that's where I belong
I don't let my surroundings or circumstances define me, I am content and belong wherever I am.
'Cause I'm quite content with who I am
I am comfortable with my personal identity and do not feel the need to conform to societal standards.
And if you ain't, well, kiss my ham
If you have a problem with who I am, then that's your issue, not mine.
Country is as country does and I'm country to the bone
My actions and lifestyle reflect my country identity and I am proud of it.
It's the way I am and it's the way I was
My country upbringing has shaped me into the person I am today and I embrace that.
It's the way I always will be, that's for sure
I have no intention of changing who I am or where I come from, my country roots are a part of me for life.
Country born and country bred
I was born and raised in the country and am proud of my heritage.
Countrified and country-fed
My upbringing has instilled in me the values and traditions of country life and food.
A country heart and a country head
My mindset and emotions are guided by my country background and beliefs.
Now, I can drive a tractor or a Cadillac
I am capable of living a simple life driving a tractor or one of luxury cruising around in a Cadillac, but my roots will always be in the country lifestyle.
I can fly first class or slum in the back
I am not defined by my class or social status and am comfortable flying in any seat on a plane.
But I'll be the same ol' gal when I arrive
No matter where I go or what I do, I will always be true to my country identity and ways.
Oh I can wear denim or I can wear silk
I am versatile in my fashion choices and can wear anything from blue denim to fine silk to showcase my unique style.
Drink champagne or chocolate milk
I am open to trying new things, like sipping on a glass of bubbly champagne or enjoying a nostalgic childhood favorite like chocolate milk.
Take the best or live with less, 'cause a country girl survives
I can adapt to any situation and am resilient enough to make the most of whatever I have, because that's the country way.
And what you see is what you get
I am genuine and true to myself, there are no hidden motives or pretenses in my character.
Nothing's ever changed me yet
I have remained true to my country identity and values throughout my life, and nothing has caused me to waiver from them.
Nothing will, it's a pretty safe bet
I am confident and secure in knowing that nothing can influence or change who I am as a person.
'Cause I'm country through and through
My country identity is woven into every aspect of my life and character.
It's the way I'll be until they lay me low
My country identity is a lifelong part of who I am and I will carry it with me until I die.
Nothing done and nothing said
No action or words will change my country identity or beliefs.
Nothing's gonna change my country ways
My country upbringing and values are deeply ingrained in me and are not subject to change.
I don't think so
There is nothing that could convince me to betray my country roots or beliefs.
Wouldn't change if I could
I have no desire to change who I am or where I come from, my country identity is a part of my core being.
But now that don't mean I can't go to town!
Being country doesn't mean I can't go to the city or experience new things, it just means I stay true to my country identity while doing so.
Lyrics Ā© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: MAC DAVIS, DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
teriw56
Dolly is anointed, shining for her lord and savior.
Tobias Dubose
The "Better Day" album needs to be back on Spotify.
Daging Buenaobra
š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°š„°
Jesse Sumers
We are too