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
Even a Fool Would Let Go
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause I know this could never work out
But honey, how love grows
Even though there's no reason to doubt
This can never be
You keep saying it's wrong
Neither one of us is free
Still I want to hold on
When even a fool would let go
'Cause he knows that there's no use in trying
Even a child would say no
When he knows that he'll end up crying
Tell me now, is it wise holdin' you
Even a fool would let go
Love has no reason
Like the words in a song that don't rhyme
My love has no season
I just know that it's there all the time
Maybe just you and me
I can't believe that it's wrong
Thinking about you and me
Just makes me want to hold on
When even a fool would let go
'Cause he knows that there's no use in trying
Even a child would say no
When he knows that he'll end up crying
Tell me now, is it wise holdin' you
Even a fool would let go
Tell me now, is it wise holdin' you
When even a fool would let go
In Dolly Parton's song "Even a Fool Would Let Go," the lyrics explore the complexities of love and the conflicting emotions that come with holding on to a relationship that may not have a future. The song reflects on the contradictions and irrationality that love often brings into our lives. The singer acknowledges that logically, this relationship could never work out, and yet, the love they feel for their partner continues to grow despite the doubts. Both individuals involved are aware that they are not free to be together, making the situation even more challenging.
The lyrics suggest that even though anyone in their right mind would let go of such a relationship, the singer finds themselves unable to do so. Love, in its unpredictable nature, defies reason and logic. The song continues to illustrate that even a fool or a child would recognize the futility of trying to make this relationship work, as it would only lead to heartbreak and tears. However, the singer remains conflicted, questioning the wisdom of holding on to this love despite the inevitable pain it may cause.
Overall, "Even a Fool Would Let Go" conveys the complexities of love, highlighting how it can defy logic and reason, leading individuals to hold on to relationships that may not be meant to be.
Line by Line Meaning
It's funny how love goes
'It's intriguing how love unfolds'
'Cause I know this could never work out
'Because I'm aware that this relationship won't succeed'
But honey, how love grows
However, love continues to develop
Even though there's no reason to doubt
Despite having no basis for uncertainty
This can never be
Our relationship can never be
You keep saying it's wrong
You consistently affirm that it's incorrect
Neither one of us is free
Neither of us is truly liberated
Still I want to hold on
Nevertheless, I have the desire to cling to this
When even a fool would let go
In a situation where even an unintelligent person would release their grip
'Cause he knows that there's no use in trying
Because he understands that it's futile to attempt
Even a child would say no
Even a young child would refuse
When he knows that he'll end up crying
When he comprehends that he'll ultimately end up in tears
Tell me now, is it wise holding' you
Please inform me, is it prudent to keep holding onto you
Love has no reason
Love doesn't rely on logic
Like the words in a song that don't rhyme
Similar to lyrics that lack coherence
My love has no season
My affection doesn't have a specific time frame
I just know that it's there all the time
I simply understand that it's continuously present
Maybe just you and me
Perhaps only you and I
I can't believe that it's wrong
I cannot accept that it's incorrect
Thinking about you and me
Reflecting on you and me
Just makes me want to hold on
Only intensifies my desire to cling to this
Tell me now, is it wise holding' you
Please let me know, is it sensible to keep holding onto you
When even a fool would let go
In a situation where even an unintelligent person would release their grip
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KERRY CHATER, TOM SNOW
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.