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
He's A Go Getter
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's a go getter, go getter
When his wife gets off from work, he'll go get her
Now I've got a neighbor that lives down the road a ways
His wife holds down a steady job, he don't turn his hand all day
I know that most of you will know the kind I'm talkin' about
The kind that rather than have to work, he'd rather do without
But he's a go getter, a go getter
When his wife gets off from work, he'll go get her
There's a group of men in the court house yard any time that you go by
Playin' checkers and tradin' odds and makin' jokes about their wives
They wait all week for pay day and they hold the money's plenty
And the wife that's worked those long hard hours never gets a penny
But he's a go getter, a go getter
When his wife gets off from work, he'll go get her
Yes he's a go getter, a go getter
When his wife gets off from work, he'll go get her
He's a go getter, a go getter
When his wife gets off from work, he'll go get her
In Dolly Parton's song "He's a Go Getter," she paints a picture of a man who is willing to put in the effort to support his wife, even though he may not be a fan of work. The lyrics describe a common scenario in small towns, where men often wait for pay day to indulge in leisure activities while their wives work hard to support the household. Parton contrasts this with the titular "go getter," who is willing to go out and do something for his wife, showing his dedication and commitment to their relationship.
The first verse sets the scene, describing a neighbor who doesn't work despite his wife having a steady job. Parton notes that this kind of man is common and would rather do without than work. However, the chorus reveals that this neighbor is actually a "go getter" - he will pick up his wife from work when she is done, showing that he is willing to put in some effort for his partner.
The second verse expands on this theme, describing a group of men in the courthouse yard who spend their days playing checkers and making jokes about their wives. These men wait for pay day to come around, but their wives - who work hard all week - never see a penny of their husband's earnings. In contrast, the "go getter" from the previous verse is willing to do something for his wife, showing that he values her and is committed to their relationship.
Overall, "He's a Go Getter" is a song about relationships and the value of putting in effort for your partner. Parton uses a simple, relatable scenario to highlight the contrast between men who would rather do without and those who are willing to do something for the people they care about.
Line by Line Meaning
He's a go getter, go getter
He is an ambitious and industrious person who pursues his goals relentlessly.
When his wife gets off from work, he'll go get her
He is a considerate and caring husband who values his wife's time and will come to pick her up from work.
Now I've got a neighbor that lives down the road a ways
The singer is referring to a nearby acquaintance who is a good example of someone who lacks motivation.
His wife holds down a steady job, he don't turn his hand all day
While his wife works diligently, he is content with idling away his time without contributing anything productive or meaningful.
I know that most of you will know the kind I'm talkin' about
The artist is making a general observation that many people are familiar with the type of person she is referring to.
The kind that rather than have to work, he'd rather do without
This further emphasizes the laziness and lack of initiative that the singer is describing.
There's a group of men in the court house yard any time that you go by
The singer describes another group of men who spend their days in idle chatter, loitering around a courthouse.
Playin' checkers and tradin' odds and makin' jokes about their wives
Their pastimes are trivial and unproductive, and their sense of humor is often at the expense of their wives.
They wait all week for pay day and they hold the money's plenty
These men are only motivated by their paycheck and their spending habits reflect their lack of foresight or future planning.
And the wife that's worked those long hard hours never gets a penny
The wives of these men, who are the ones actually contributing to the household income, do not receive any financial compensation for their efforts.
Yes he's a go getter, a go getter
Reinforcement of the husband's motivated and industrious nature.
He's a go getter, a go getter
Reinforcement of the husband's motivated and industrious nature.
When his wife gets off from work, he'll go get her
Reinforcement of the husband's caring and considerate nature.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
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.