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
High Sierra
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been higher than the high sierra
Lower than death valley must be
I've been right, mostly wrong
Wrong about you, right about me
The way I feel, can't explain
So much passion turned to pain
Did you know the sun shines when it rains
[Chorus]
I've been cussed and I've been praised
And I've been nothing these days
But I'll come back, time will see
If I'm wrong about you, right about me
[Chorus]
The song High Sierra sung by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris speaks of experiences of deep pain and passion. The chorus talks about how the singer has been higher than the high Sierra and lower than death valley, reflecting the emotional rollercoaster they have been through. They have been right at times and wrong at others, especially about the person they are singing to. However, they seem sure that they know themselves well. The singer says that they cannot explain how they feel, but it is a mixture of passion and pain. They acknowledge that the sun still shines even in the rain.
The second verse seems to talk about the highs and lows of the singer's reputation. They have been both praised and spat upon, and in recent times, they have been nothing. However, they state that they will come back, and time will tell if they were right about themselves and wrong about the other person.
Overall, the lyrics of the song High Sierra seem to reflect on the tumultuous journey of a person through experiences full of passion and pain, highs and lows. It also showcases the unknown side of a person that they believe they know well.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been higher than the high sierra
I have experienced moments of intense happiness and success, surpassing the great height of the Sierra Mountains.
Lower than death valley must be
On the flipside, I have also experienced moments of great sorrow and despair, comparable to the lowest point in Death Valley.
I've been right, mostly wrong
In certain situations, my intuition has been correct, but more often than not, I have made mistakes or poor judgement calls.
Wrong about you, right about me
While my perceptions of others have been inaccurate, I have a better understanding of my own character and motivations.
The way I feel, can't explain
The emotions I am experiencing are difficult to articulate or comprehend fully.
So much passion turned to pain
Though I once felt strongly and passionately, those feelings have shifted to pain and heartbreak.
The sun still shines most of the time
Despite the struggles and challenges I face, there are still moments of brightness and positivity.
Did you know the sun shines when it rains
Even in times of sorrow and tears, there are still reasons to find hope and beauty in the world around us.
I've been cussed and I've been praised
Throughout my life I have experienced both criticism and acclaim from others.
And I've been nothing these days
Currently, I feel as though I am not achieving much or making an impact in the world around me.
But I'll come back, time will see
I have faith that with time and perseverance, I will be able to overcome my current challenges and find success once again.
If I'm wrong about you, right about me
If my perceptions of others have been untrue, at least I know myself and understand my own character and values.
I've been higher than the high sierra
Reiterating my past successes and moments of great joy and fulfillment.
Lower than death valley must be
Reiterating my past struggles and moments of sorrow and despair.
[Chorus]
Repeating the central message and title of the song, which emphasizes the up-and-down nature of life and the importance of perseverance.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: HARLEY L. ALLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MAAivoges
the power of Ronstadt's voice is amazing. so much control. Such a well mastered instrument. She took the lead on this one, but they trade off in so many other Trio gems. Amazing Trio.
@MegaAtomium
This is such a great song. Their harmonies... flawless. Linda... best female pop singer ever... PERIOD!
@davidroga6508
This song is simply stunning. The harmonies are out of this world. Linda’s voice packs so much emotion. Emmy n Dolly’s harmony is surreal. The whole arrangement is transcendental.
@user-mr9uy9gj5l
Singing is one of the greatest things a human can do. These 3 women are at the top of this human contribution. When I leave this world I wish I could be eternally bathed in the sound of human singing.
@maryhart3929
That solo section of Linda's absolutely slays me. It's beautiful and heart-wrenching at the same time.
@gregharald1072
Hi 👋
@gtswann
Your response to to Linda's singing is the same as mine just a thrill ride of emotions. She brings to tears of joy and sadness at the same time! She puts a lump in my throat and makes me speechless. What a gift to world Linda is, thank you for her God!
@gtswann
Yes indeed! Tears of joy and sadness....at the same time! ONLY Linda Ronstadt can take one on an emotional roller coaster ride like that! Oh my God, i love my Linda and thank you for sending her here to us !
@troycarpenter3675
In retrospect, you can hear the Parkinson starting
@keithsw2566
@@troycarpenter3675 LOL no you can't