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
Daddy Won't Be Home Anymore
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I think of all the happy times we'll never see again
Then I break down and start to cry, the children ask what for
I can't find a way to tell them
That Daddy won't be home anymore
Each night before they go to sleep, they fold their little hands
And say a prayer for Daddy fighting in their far-off land
God give me courage to tell them
That Daddy won't be home anymore
But honey as for me there'll never be another man
And I'll bring our children up
The best way that I can
You died for what you thought was right
That much I know for sure
But the children just can't understand
Why Daddy won't be home anymore
No the children just don't understand
Why Daddy won't be home anymore
In Dolly Parton's song "Daddy," she pays tribute to her hardworking father who spent his entire life working to provide for his family. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of Daddy's working life, his calloused hands, the million miles he's walked in his working boots, and the sacrifices he's made for his loved ones. Dolly sings about how Daddy's work has been a symbol of his love and devotion to his family, and how his working boots have been his foundation, worn and tired as they are.
The chorus serves as a reminder of the importance of hard work and dedication, and how Daddy's work boots have played a pivotal role in his journey. They have helped him stand strong through the rocky road of life, and have fulfilled their obligation to him. The spoken word section at the end of the song is particularly heartfelt, where Dolly asks God to allow her Daddy to walk on his golden streets wearing a new pair of golden boots.
Line by Line Meaning
My dear hard workin' daddy works his life away for us
My father works tirelessly to provide for us, his family, and to ensure that we have everything we need.
That's the way that daddy shows to us his love
My father demonstrates his love for us by working hard and providing for our needs.
And Daddy's two hard working hands
My father's hands show the signs of years of hard manual labor.
They're callous and they're sore
My father's hands are rough and tough from all of the work he has done.
And Daddy's workin' boots have walked a million miles or more
My father's boots have carried him through countless hours of work, both on the job and on the farm.
As long as I remember, I remember Daddy workin'
I have always known my father to be a hard worker, and he has instilled in me the value of hard work.
Workin' on the job or either on the farm
My father's work has taken him to various places, both on the job and on the family farm.
Tryin' to provide for the family that he loves
My father's motivation for working hard is always to provide for his family and ensure that we have everything we need.
And Daddy's working boots have taken many steps for us
My father's boots have carried him through many hours of hard work, always for the sake of his family.
Daddy's workin' boots have served as his foundation
My father's boots have been a symbol of his hard work and dedication to providing for our family.
Though just like him, they're tired and worn
Just like my father, his boots have been through a lot and show signs of wear and tear.
For years they've helped him stand
My father's boots have helped him stand tall and strong, even after many long hours of work.
Daddy's working boots have filled their obligation
My father's boots have done their duty, carrying him through many years of hard work and dedication to his family.
They've walked that rocky road with a mighty, mighty man
My father has faced many challenges and obstacles in his life, but he has always persevered with the help of his trusty boots.
Dear lord above, I know up there my Daddy's got a mansion
I believe that my father is in heaven, where he has received the rewards he deserves for a lifetime of hard work and sacrifice.
And a great reward that's long been overdue
My father's reward in heaven has been a long time coming, but it is well-deserved for all that he has done for our family.
And when it comes my Daddy's time to be with you in heaven
When the time comes for my father to pass on, I know that he will be welcomed into heaven with open arms.
"Won't cha let him walk your golden streets
I pray that my father will be able to walk on the golden streets of heaven.
In a pair of brand new golden boots"
I hope that my father will be able to wear new and shining boots to symbolize the reward he has received for a lifetime of hard work and dedication to his family.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Romy K.
on Gypsy Joe And Me
As a matter of fact she's contemplating suicide standing on the bridge, that's how they'll be together again.