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
Cowgirl And The Dandy
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The grandest man that I had ever seen
Outside the heavy rains had grounded all the planes
So I asked him if he'd like some company
In my rhinestone-studded suit and my cowgirl high-heel boots
I must have been a site for him to see
But he said, "Pull up a chair", as I fumbled with my hair
I was Mogan David wine, he was Chablis fifty-nine
But there we sat, the cowgirl and the dandy
He was ski resorts in Aspen and summers in Paris
I was Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee
The cowgirl and the dandy as different as can be
But it seemed so right that rainy night in Tennessee
Then somewhere in between, his Harvey's Bristol cream
And the beer that I kept sippin' at his table
We somehow came together for a night of stormy weather
Now there's a little bit of class in this old cabin
An' there's a little bit of country in the dandy
Cowgirl and the dandy as different as can be
But it seemed so right that rainy night in Tennessee
I was Mogan David wine, he was Chablis fifty-nine
But there we sat, the cowgirl and the dandy
He was ski resorts in Aspen and summers in Paris
I was Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee
He was ski resorts in Aspen and summers in Paris
I was Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee
The lyrics to Dolly Parton's song "Cowgirl And The Dandy" tell the story of an unlikely pair who meet in an airport lounge on a rainy night in Tennessee. The singer, a cowgirl dressed in her rhinestone-studded suit and cowgirl high-heel boots, strikes up a conversation with a well-dressed older man sitting alone with his cane and derby hat. Despite their differences in background and style, the two hit it off and spend the night together, discovering that they have more in common than they originally thought.
The song explores themes of unexpected connections and the idea that people can find common ground despite their differences. It also plays with the idea of appearances being deceiving, as the cowgirl and the dandy seem like they couldn't be more different at first glance but end up sharing a special moment together. The use of wine and beer as symbolic representations of their contrasting backgrounds further emphasizes this idea.
Overall, "Cowgirl And The Dandy" is a charming story of two people from different worlds coming together for a night of companionship and understanding.
Line by Line Meaning
In the airport lounge he sat with his cane and derby hat
I saw a distinguished gentleman sitting in the waiting area with his walking cane and stylish bowler hat.
The grandest man that I had ever seen
He caught my eye as the most sophisticated man I had ever laid eyes on.
Outside the heavy rains had grounded all the planes
The inclement weather prohibited any flights from taking off or landing.
So I asked him if he'd like some company
I inquired as to whether he would enjoy some conversation with a stranger.
In my rhinestone-studded suit and my cowgirl high-heel boots
I was attired in a dazzling outfit embellished with gems and fanciful footwear.
I must have been a site for him to see
My appearance likely surprised or intrigued him.
But he said, "Pull up a chair", as I fumbled with my hair
He kindly invited me to sit down, despite my nervousness and primping.
A more unlikely pair you'll never see
We were quite an unlikely duo, an unassuming man and a flamboyant cowgirl.
I was Mogan David wine, he was Chablis fifty-nine
I was more inexpensive, sweetened wine and he was a sophisticated, older vintage chardonnay.
But there we sat, the cowgirl and the dandy
Nevertheless, we still found ourselves in each other's company and enjoying each other's presence.
He was ski resorts in Aspen and summers in Paris
He had indulged in luxury vacations to Aspen, a top-rated ski destination, and Paris, one of the world's most romantic cities.
I was Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee
Meanwhile, my interests had led me to the Grand Ole Opry, a famed venue in Nashville that showcases country music acts.
Cowgirl and the dandy as different as can be
We were as dissimilar as two people could be.
But it seemed so right that rainy night in Tennessee
Despite our differences, it felt appropriate and natural to be together on that stormy evening in Tennessee.
Then somewhere in between, his Harvey's Bristol cream
We found some middle ground in his preferred alcohol, a sweet, smooth sherry.
And the beer that I kept sippin' at his table
Though I favored a lower quality beer, I still enjoyed his company and conversation.
We somehow came together for a night of stormy weather
Despite our differences, we spent the stormy night sharing stories and enjoying each other's company.
Now there's a little bit of class in this old cabin
As a result of our evening together, there is now some sophistication present in this humble abode.
An' there's a little bit of country in the dandy
On the other hand, our time together also revealed some rustic and casual qualities in the gentleman.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOBBY GOLDSBORO
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lidia
In the airport lounge, he sat
With his cane and durby hat
The grandest man that I had ever seen
Outside the heavy rains
Had grounded all the planes
So I asked him if he'd like some company
In my rhinestone-studded suit
And my cowgirl high-heel boots
I must have been a site for him to see
But he said, "Pull up a chair"
As I fumble with my hair
A more unlikely pair you'll never see
I was Mogan David wine
He was Chablis fifty-nine
But there we sat
The cowgirl and the dandy
He was ski resorts in Aspen
And summers in Paris
I was Grand Ole Opry Nashville, Tennessee
The cowgirl and the dandy
As different as can be
But it seemed so right that rainy night in Tennessee
Then somewhere in between
His Harvey's Bristol cream
And the beer that I kept sippin' at his table
We somehow came together
For a night of stormy weather
Now there's a little bit of class in this old cabin
And there's a little country in the dandy
The cowgirl and the dandy
As different as can be
But it seemed so right that rainy night in Tennessee
I was Mogan David wine
He was Chablis fifty-nine
But there we sat
The cowgirl and the dandy
He was ski resorts in Aspen
And summers in Paris
I was Grand Ole Opry Nashville, Tennessee
He was ski resorts in Aspen
And summers in Paris
I was Grand Ol Opry Nashville, Tennessee
Celine Faucher
Lyrics
In the airport lounge he sat with his cane and derby hat
The grandest man that I had ever seen
Outside the heavy rains had grounded all the planes
So I asked him if he'd like some company
In my rhinestone-studded suit and my cowgirl high-heel boots
I must have been a site for him to see
But he said, "Pull up a chair", as I fumbled with my hair
A more unlikely pair you'll never see
I was Mogan David wine, he was Chablis fifty-nine
But there we sat, the cowgirl and the dandy
He was ski resorts in Aspen and summers in Paris
I was Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee
The cowgirl and the dandy as different as can be
But it seemed so right that rainy night in Tennessee
Then somewhere in between, his Harvey's Bristol cream
And the beer that I kept sippin' at his table
We somehow came together for a night of stormy weather
Now there's a little bit of class in this old cabin
An' there's a little bit of country in the dandy
Cowgirl and the dandy as different as can be
But it seemed so right that rainy night in Tennessee
I was Mogan David wine, he was Chablis fifty-nine
But there we sat, the cowgirl and the dandy
He was ski resorts in Aspen and summers in Paris
I was Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee
He was ski resorts in Aspen and summers in Paris
I was Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, Tennessee
B A
I love how she changes the lyrics here: “He was rare imported wine, I was Tennessee moonshine”. Those little shifts Dolly does to make every single performance unique (and therefore required viewing for us serious fans) it keeps us spellbound.
screaming banshee
dolly makes me feel so safe- i can’t explain it i just feel like she would hug me and tell me things are gunna be okay :-)
keosha boykins
Yes! Me too!
Bryan Richardson
This song takes me back to my childhood as a teenager growing up in the country. This is such a golden classic. Way better than the credit it received.
Steven S
Love this song from the "Here You Come Again" album. In fact, the entire album is great. No matter how many times I've listened to the album, it just never gets old.
Margarita Aranas
Oh my idol dolly forever icon legend national yreasure
B A
If I could only take one Dolly album with me onto a desert island, it would be Here You Come Again.
Honestwithmywords hughes
This song was written by Bobby Goldsboro. ( he spoke about how he changed it slightly for Dolly to record on pop with goes the country ) I've never heard his version and would like too !!Does anyone know if or who has covered his songs Honey or Goodbye Marie ???? 2 of my absolute favorites.......
Hydreigion
I brought this album and already in love with it. I like when she sings it slower
Ionutz Asaftei
Outstanding voice ! It's a shame that it has only 18k views. This is true music, true voice! What happened to the people nowadays ? Why good music / artist is not appreciated anymore ? Dolly's voice & performance on stange is diamond compared to what we are listening today !