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
How Does It Feel
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Knowing that there's someone out here thinkin' of you
In your heart and in your mind
I know there is no doubt that someone loves you
And I know that you know
That I'll be waiting here when you have need of me
And when the world has chained you down
I know you know my love will set you free
How does it feel to know that someone's always thinkin' of you
Oh and how does it feel to know that someone puts no one above you
How does it feel to know that someone loves you, someone loves you
I have come to know and love you
Like I've never known or loved another
Words have not been made
That could describe these feelings we have for each other
And I would go to any length
To let you know at all times that I care
'Cause I want you to know
That any time you reach for me you'll find me there
How does it feel to know that someone loves you
How does it feel to know that someone's always thinkin' of you
Oh and how does it feel to know that someone puts no one above you
How does it feel to know that someone loves you, someone loves you
Someone loves you, how does it feel to know it
Someone loves you, how does it feel to know that someone
Loves you, someone loves you, how does it feel, how does it feel
How does it feel to know that someone loves you
Somebody loves you, how does it feel, how does it feel
How does it feel to know that someone loves you
Someone loves you, somebody loves you
Somebody loves you, how does it feel to know it
Somebody loves you
The lyrics to Dolly Parton's song, "How Does It Feel," are about love and the feelings that come with being loved by someone. The song begins with Parton acknowledging that she knows the person she loves is out there and thinking of her. She assures them that she will always be waiting for them and that her love will set them free from the chains of the world. The chorus then repeats several times, asking how it feels to be loved and thought of constantly by someone who puts no one above them.
In the second verse, Parton talks about how much she loves the person and how special they are to her. She states that she would do anything to make sure they know how much she cares and that she will always be there for them whenever they need her. The chorus repeats again, asking how it feels to know that someone loves you so intensely and that there is no one else above you in their mind.
The song is a beautiful expression of an intense and passionate love that is unwavering and constant. Parton's heartfelt lyrics and soulful voice convey the depth of emotion that comes with loving and being loved so unequivocally.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that you're out there
I am aware of your existence and presence somewhere in this world
Knowing that there's someone out here thinkin' of you
I acknowledge that there is someone who cares about you and has you in their thoughts
In your heart and in your mind
I believe that you hold feelings and thoughts about this person in your innermost being
I know there is no doubt that someone loves you
I am certain that there is someone who loves you, without question or hesitation
And I know that you know
I am aware that you are aware of this person's love for you
That I'll be waiting here when you have need of me
I am willing to be there for you whenever you require my help or support
And when the world has chained you down
I understand that in difficult times, you may feel trapped or restrained by external circumstances
I know you know my love will set you free
I believe that my love has the power to liberate you and help you overcome hardships
How does it feel to know that someone loves you
I am curious about the emotions you experience when you are aware that someone loves you
How does it feel to know that someone's always thinkin' of you
I am interested in how it feels to know that someone has you in their thoughts frequently
Oh and how does it feel to know that someone puts no one above you
I am curious about the experience of knowing that someone considers you their highest priority
I have come to know and love you
I have developed an understanding of and affection for you over time
Like I've never known or loved another
The depth and intensity of my feelings for you are unparalleled by any other person
Words have not been made
It is difficult to find language that adequately conveys the depth of our emotions
That could describe these feelings we have for each other
There are no words that can fully capture the depth of our mutual affection
And I would go to any length
I am willing to do whatever it takes to express my love and care for you
To let you know at all times that I care
I am committed to ensuring that you always know that I am dedicated to you and your well-being
'Cause I want you to know
It is important to me that you understand and feel the depth of my affection for you
That any time you reach for me you'll find me there
I will always be available and present for you when you need me, without hesitation
Someone loves you, how does it feel to know it
There is someone who loves you - I am wondering how it feels to be aware of this fact
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
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.