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
Do You Hear The Robins Sing
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the astroturf that's on your lawn stays green the whole year around
And the buildings are so tall they almost reach heaven
But do you ever ever hear the robins sing
Do you hear the robins singing in the springtime
While a mockingbird sings his happy song
Is all the beauty in your world this artificial thing
Do you ever ever hear the robins sing
Where I live the butterflies still kiss the roses
And forgetmenots still grow along the shady lane
And the weeping willow trees still swaying in the breeze
And often I still hear the robins sing
Do you hear the robins...
Do you ever ever hear the robins sing
In "Do You Hear The Robins Sing," Dolly Parton contrasts two different perspectives on beauty and nature. The first verse addresses someone who lives in a place with a visually stunning view, green astroturf, and tall buildings. While this environment may seem idyllic, Dolly asks if they ever hear the robins sing. This serves as a metaphor for whether they truly connect with the authentic beauty of the natural world around them or if their experience is limited to artificial and superficial elements.
She further emphasizes this point in the chorus, questioning if the person ever hears the robins singing in the springtime while a mockingbird adds its own joyful melody. Dolly suggests that true beauty lies in the genuine sounds and sensations of the natural world, rather than just the appearance of man-made structures. It prompts the listener to consider whether their world is filled with only artificial beauty or if they embrace the experience of nature.
In the second verse, Dolly shares her own perspective, where butterflies still kiss the roses, forgetmenots still grow along the shady lane, and weeping willow trees sway in the breeze. It portrays a more organic and traditional scene, where nature's beauty is preserved. Dolly expresses that she still hears the robins sing, implying that she remains connected to the authenticity and untouched beauty of the natural environment that surrounds her.
Ultimately, "Do You Hear The Robins Sing" encourages reflection on the real sources of beauty and the importance of staying in tune with nature. It highlights the value of listening to the simple, yet powerful, melodies of the robins as a reminder to appreciate the genuine and unadorned aspects of the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Where you live you say the view is so beautiful
You claim that the scenery where you live is incredibly breathtaking
And the astroturf that's on your lawn stays green the whole year around
Even the fake grass on your lawn remains vibrant throughout the year
And the buildings are so tall they almost reach heaven
The skyscrapers in your city are incredibly tall, almost touching the heavens
But do you ever ever hear the robins sing
Despite all the beauty around you, do you ever take the time to listen to the melodious songs of the robins
Do you hear the robins singing in the springtime
Are you able to perceive the sweet melodies of the robins during the season of new beginnings
While a mockingbird sings his happy song
Meanwhile, as a mockingbird joyfully serenades with its own unique tune
Is all the beauty in your world this artificial thing
Is the entirety of the beauty you experience merely a result of artificiality
Do you ever ever hear the robins sing
Do you ever truly listen to the enchanting songs of the robins
[ ac.guitar ]
Instrumental interlude
Where I live the butterflies still kiss the roses
In the place I reside, butterflies still delicately touch the roses with their wings
And forgetmenots still grow along the shady lane
The forget-me-not flowers continue to bloom on the tranquil path shaded by trees
And the weeping willow trees still swaying in the breeze
The graceful weeping willow trees persist in gently swaying with the blowing wind
And often I still hear the robins sing
And frequently, I am still able to perceive the melodious songs of the robins
Do you hear the robins...
Do you ever truly listen to the enchanting songs of the robins
Do you ever ever hear the robins sing
Do you ever take the time to truly appreciate and listen to the beautiful melodies sung by the robins
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: PORTER WAGONER
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.