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
Honky Tonk Angels
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The song about the wild side of life
As I listen to the words they are saying
It brings memories when I was a trusted wife
It was not God who made Honky Tonk Angels
As you said in the words of you're song
Too many times married men think, they're still single
And that's why many a poor girl do go wrong
It's not true that only you men feel the same
From the start most every heart that's ever broken
Was because there always was a man to blame
It was not God who made HTA
As you said in the words of you're song
Too many times married men think, they're still single
And that's why many a poor girl do go wrong
In Dolly Parton's song "Honky Tonk Angels," the singer reflects on the jukebox playing a song that reminds her of her younger days. The song sings about the wild side of life and the singer relates to the lyrics because she too has experienced that life. She reminisces about the times she was a trusted wife, but her reminiscing ends up bringing back memories of being wronged by married men who think they're still single. In a nod to the song's title, the singer acknowledges that "It was not God who made Honky Tonk Angels," implying that societal pressures and the actions of men contribute to the creation of such women. The lyrics go on to suggest that it's not fair to place all the blame of infidelity and heartbreak on women, as men are just as guilty, if not more so.
Overall, the song is a commentary on gender roles and the expectations placed on women versus the actions of men. It highlights how women bear the brunt of society's judgments, even when men are equally responsible for their actions. The lyrics demonstrate an insightful perspective on the struggles women face in a world where they are constantly belittled and demonized for pursuing the same freedom as men.
Line by Line Meaning
As I sit here tonite the jukebox's playin
I am currently sitting here and listening to the jukebox playing music.
The song about the wild side of life
The song that is playing is describing the wild and reckless behavior of some people.
As I listen to the words they are saying
As I am hearing the lyrics of this song, I am reminded of my past.
It brings memories when I was a trusted wife
The lyrics of this song bring back memories of when I was a faithful and loyal wife.
It was not God who made Honky Tonk Angels
God did not create the women who frequent honky tonks and bars, as described in this song.
As you said in the words of you're song
The lyrics of the song being played affirm this statement.
Too many times married men think, they're still single
Married men often act as if they are still single, leading to the downfall of many young women.
And that's why many a poor girl do go wrong
As a result of the actions of these married men, many young women make mistakes and suffer the consequences.
It's a shame that all the blame is on us women
It is unfortunate that women are often blamed for the indiscretions of men, as described in this song.
It's not true that only you men feel the same
Men are not the only ones who experience the emotions and behaviors described in this song.
From the start most every heart that's ever broken
Almost every broken heart can be traced back to the actions or inactions of another person.
Was because there always was a man to blame
In many cases, it is the actions of a man that cause a heart to be broken or a relationship to fail.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOSEPH D. MILLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@frankmachotka3488
I can't get enough of this lady Dolly Parton. Her voice like an angel. 😇. She's the best singer in the world 🌏💝💝💝💝⭐⭐⭐⭐🙏🎶🎵🎼🎸🎤🤠. I will always love you Dolly Parton. 💋💋💋💋🌹🌹🌹🌹💖💖💖💖
@jarheadmarine100
this women's vocal is sung from a love of music
@donlatymer5492
I could just hear this wonderful tune one and on
@kristelx33
i love this song thanks for uploading it :)
@sandramurdoch4704
It relates to an episode in my life
@tammyxx3699
👌
@courtneylewis7166
I'm not the typical teen that's into all this pop/rap music I'm purely and simply a country girl. And I adore this song doll was so young and talented to be able write such honest lyrics. Love you dolly 🌸
@dawnarnold7735
Dolly didn't write it, its actually Kitty Wells song.
@IH8COMERCIALRNB
that's true, it is a Kitty Wells song.. I do however prefer Dolly's singing to Kitty's.. I mean.. the song is incredibly whiny anyway in style.. But Kitty takes the cake.. Janis Joplin also did a cover of this song live but I am not fond of it either.
@stevequizodlibumpbumpbump3575
Was written by Jay Miller.