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
Home for Pete's Sake
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I thought pretty clothes and city lights
Running round both day and night could do no harm
A party girl I mixed for bout myself into a fix for running wild
So I wrote my dad and mom asked if I could come back home to have my child
I received the letter from the folks back home and they said things were fine
They went on to say that Pete the boy I broke up with was about to lose his mind
But I couldn't hardly read the rest the words were being bloted by my tears
So I'm going home for Pete's sake it was I who broke his heart in the first place
If he'll try me one more time for then I've made up my mind
And in the morning I'm going home for Pete's sake
Yes for Pete's sake my baby's and mine
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's song "Home for Pete's Sake" tell the story of a young woman who left her rural upbringing behind to experience life in the city. She believed that the allure of pretty clothes and the excitement of the city lights would bring her happiness. However, her partying lifestyle led her down a troubled path, and she found herself in a difficult situation when she discovered she was pregnant.
Realizing the importance of family and the need for stability, the woman writes a letter to her parents, asking if she can return home to have her child. Upon receiving their reply, she learns of the emotional turmoil her ex-boyfriend Pete has been experiencing since their breakup. The words of the letter become blurred by her tears, and she feels a deep sense of shame for the pain she caused him.
In light of this revelation, the woman decides to go back home, not just for the sake of her unborn child, but also for Pete's sake. She recognizes that she was the one who broke his heart in the first place and hopes that he will give her another chance. She has made up her mind to make amends and start anew, acknowledging the love he still holds for her.
Overall, "Home for Pete's Sake" explores themes of regret, redemption, and the desire to make things right. It highlights the importance of home and family, as well as the consequences of one's actions and the potential for healing and forgiveness.
Line by Line Meaning
I became a woman of the world cause I was fed up with the farm
I left my small town and rural life to experience the excitement and opportunities that the city offered.
And I thought pretty clothes and city lights
Running round both day and night could do no harm
I believed that indulging in material possessions and the nightlife of the city would bring me happiness without consequences.
A party girl I mixed for bout myself into a fix for running wild
I got caught up in a lifestyle of partying and reckless behavior, which led me to a troublesome situation.
So I wrote my dad and mom asked if I could come back home to have my child
Realizing the consequences of my actions, I reached out to my parents, asking if I could return home to give birth to my child.
I received the letter from the folks back home and they said things were fine
My parents replied to my letter, assuring me that everything was well back home.
They went on to say that Pete the boy I broke up with was about to lose his mind
They informed me that Pete, the person I ended my relationship with, was deeply devastated and struggling emotionally.
But I couldn't hardly read the rest the words were being bloted by my tears
I was so overwhelmed with sadness that my tears blurred the remaining words of the letter, making it difficult for me to read.
I'm feelin' so ashamed he loved me then he feels the same he still cares
I feel immense guilt and shame because I realize that Pete still loves me and continues to have feelings for me.
So I'm going home for Pete's sake it was I who broke his heart in the first place
In order to make amends and take responsibility for breaking Pete's heart, I have decided to return home.
If he'll try me one more time for then I've made up my mind
I hope that if Pete is willing to give me another chance, I have firmly decided to commit myself to him.
And in the morning I'm going home for Pete's sake
Tomorrow morning, I will embark on my journey back home for Pete's sake and to rebuild what was lost.
Yes for Pete's sake my baby's and mine
Returning home is not only for Pete's sake but also for the well-being of my child and myself.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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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.