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
Girl in the Movies
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Velvet-cushioned seats and soft armrests
Best seat in my favorite movie house
Start my dreaming as the lights go out
Up on the silver screen, I picture me
Living out my passions, hopes, and fantasies
I want to be the girl in the movies
The girl that seldom loses
Beautiful, with grace and style
Acting out her story standing in her glory
Happy ever after
I want to be the girl in the movies
Wish I had a nickel for each dime I've spent
Watching others live their
Lives with confidence
Here's a preview of some things to come
It's not too late for me to be someone
I can't keep living in their make-believe
Coming attractions will be starring me
I want to be the girl in the movies
The one with the stars in her eyes
(In her eyes) she gets the roles she chooses
She can laugh or she can cry
Acting in her story standing in her glory
Always happy endings
I want to be the girl in the movies
It's time I show the world
Just what I'm about
I'm steppin' up and I'm steppin' out
I'm feelin' bold and I'm feelin' proud
I want to be that girl
I want to be the girl in the movies hmm hmm
I want to be the girl in the movies
Hmm hmm hmm
Gonna stand up and I'm gonna matter
'Cause I've had enough of
My dreams being shattered
And I've had enough of
My tears being splattered
I've already been that girl
Oh, I want to be (I want to be)
I want to be (I want to be)
I want to be the girl in the movies
I want to be (I want to be)
Hey look at me (Hey look at me)
I want to be the girl in the movies
I want to shine (I want to shine)
I want to shine (I'm gonna shine)
It's my time and I want to shine
I want to be happy, I want to be free
Just like the girl in the movies
In Dolly Parton's song "Girl in the Movies," the lyrics explore the desire to escape into the world of cinema and become the singer of one's own life. It begins by setting the scene of a movie theater, with popcorn, soda, and candy, as the singer takes her seat and watches the lights dim. As the movie plays on the silver screen, the singer envisions herself living out her dreams and passions through the characters she sees.
The chorus reveals the longing to be like the girls in the movies, those confident and glamorous women who seldom lose. The singer yearns for the beauty, grace, and style that these characters possess. She wants to be the one who gets to choose her roles and can portray emotions like laughter and tears. Essentially, she desires to be the leading lady in her own story, with happy endings and the admiration of others.
Throughout the song, there is a sense of dissatisfaction and a realization that time is passing by. The singer reflects on all the hours spent watching others live their lives with confidence, while she remains in a state of make-believe. However, there is a glimmer of hope, as she acknowledges that it is not too late for her to become someone and step into her own spotlight.
Line by Line Meaning
Popcorn, soda, box of Raisinets
Enjoying snacks at the movie theater
Velvet-cushioned seats and soft armrests
Sitting comfortably in a luxurious theater
Best seat in my favorite movie house
Being in the prime spot for watching movies
Start my dreaming as the lights go out
Letting imagination run wild when the movie begins
Up on the silver screen, I picture me
Imagining oneself as a movie character
Living out my passions, hopes, and fantasies
Acting out desired emotions and dreams
I want to be the girl in the movies
Desiring to be a leading lady on screen
The one with the glint in her eyes
Having a spark of ambition
The girl that seldom loses
Rarely facing defeat or failure
Beautiful, with grace and style
Exuding charm and elegance
Acting out her story standing in her glory
Performing confidently and proudly
Happy ever after
Desiring a life of constant happiness
Wish I had a nickel for each dime I've spent
Reflecting on the time and money invested in watching others' lives
Watching others live their
Observing other people's experiences
Lives with confidence
Seeing others confident in themselves
Here's a preview of some things to come
Looking ahead to future possibilities
It's not too late for me to be someone
Believing in the potential for personal growth and success
I can't keep living in their make-believe
No longer wanting to live vicariously through others
Coming attractions will be starring me
Anticipating one's own success and recognition
I want to be the girl in the movies
Desiring to be a leading lady on screen
The one with the stars in her eyes
Having a dream and ambition in her gaze
(In her eyes) she gets the roles she chooses
Being in control of one's own destiny and career
She can laugh or she can cry
Being versatile in portraying various emotions
Acting in her story standing in her glory
Performing proudly in one's own narrative
Always happy endings
Desiring a life filled with constant joy and success
It's time I show the world
Feeling the need to express oneself to others
Just what I'm about
Demonstrating one's true self and purpose
I'm steppin' up and I'm steppin' out
Taking bold actions and making a change
I'm feelin' bold and I'm feelin' proud
Experiencing confidence and self-assurance
I want to be that girl
Aspiring to be the person one envisions
Gonna stand up and I'm gonna matter
Determined to make a significant impact
'Cause I've had enough of
Reaching a point of dissatisfaction
My dreams being shattered
Feeling disheartened by unrealized aspirations
And I've had enough of
Being tired of
My tears being splattered
Having emotions ignored or dismissed
I've already been that girl
Recognizing that the potential already exists within oneself
Oh, I want to be (I want to be)
Expressing a deep longing
Hey look at me (Hey look at me)
Seeking attention and recognition
I want to be the girl in the movies
Desiring to be a leading lady on screen
I want to shine (I want to shine)
Yearning to stand out and be noticed
It's my time and I want to shine
Believing that the present moment is the opportunity to succeed
I want to be happy, I want to be free
Striving for happiness and liberation
Just like the girl in the movies
Similar to the portrayal of a character on screen
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DOLLY PARTON, LINDA PERRY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Roxyschnoxi Roxyschnoxi
Dear Susan,
Every film is an illusion.
Since Eden, our life has been a delusion:
We think it's good to trust ourselves.
That is why our hearts are lonely.
Until they break.
Then we'll see:
It was God who had to break our hearts:
So that we no longer seek love from people.
Because: only God has true love.
Love, without beginning and without end.
God will give them to all of us.
Broken hearts will be open to HIS love.
Warm greetings from Germany
Wolfgang
I am 67 years old.
HE broke my heart - THAT WAS HARD - and healed again:
I have no more self-confidence ... God gave me this afterwards: trust in God.
My heart has found peace in it.
---------
Liebe Susan,
Jeder Film ist eine Illusion.
Seit Eden ist unser Leben eine Täuschung:
Wir finden es gut, uns selbst zu vertrauen.
Deshalb sind unsere Herzen einsam.
Bis sie brechen.
Dann werden wir sehen:
Es war Gott, der unser Herz brechen musste:
Damit wir nicht länger Liebe von Menschen suchen.
Denn: Nur Gott hat wahre Liebe.
Liebe, ohne Anfang und ohne Ende.
Gott wird sie uns allen geben.
Gebrochene Herzen werden für SEINE Liebe offen sein.
Liebe Grüße aus Deutschland
Wolfgang
Ich bin 67 Jahre.
Mein Herz hat ER zerbrochen - DAS WAR HART - und wieder geheilt:
Ich habe kein Selbstvertrauen mehr ... Gott hat mir danach das geschenkt: Gottvertrauen.
Mein Herz hat darin Ruhe gefunden.
Lhingneinem Haokip
Girl in the Movies
Dolly Parton
GIRL IN THE MOVIES LYRICS
[Verse 1]
Popcorn, soda, box of Raisinets
Velvet-cushioned seats and soft armrests
Best seat in my favorite movie house
Start my dreaming as the lights go out
Up on the silver screen, I picture me
Living out my passions, hopes, and fantasies
[Chorus 1]
I want to be the girl in the movies
The one with the glint in her eyes
The girl that seldom loses
Beautiful, with grace and style
Acting out her story
Standing in her glory
Happy ever after
I want to be the girl in the movies
[Verse 2]
Wish I had a nickel for each dime I've spent
Watching others live their lives with confidence
Here's a preview of some things to come
It's not too late for me to be someone
I can't keep living in their make-believe
Coming attractions will be starring me
Michele Harbaugh
I am not a fan of country music. However, Dolly Parton has been and will forever be one of the few country artists I could listen to all day.
Chafa Sigma
oh dude ! what about john Denver, kenny Rogers........ and some others too. the old country is full of great great singers, who knew how to write and to sing.
Leo Johnson
You should listen to Chris Stapleton "Tennessee Whiskey" and "I Was Wrong"
Dolly’s Jukebox
Me too Michele’! They broke the mould when they made dolly!
Josh Meadows
Don't forget Johnny Cash.
Avi Greene
I agree! Her and the Dixie Chicks!
mike rayner videos
so very beautiful Dolly ❤️
Marcie Kisler
D
Tiny Dancer
From the sounds of the soundtrack so far, I guess I better take some tissues with me when I see "Dumplin'"! So beautiful and so emotional. Dolly is such a treasure.
Poisen Ivie
@C. Coffee well ty idk ,, I'm always last to find the best new stuff stuck way back in 70's lol