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
I'll Make Your Bed
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm not the kind of girl that married dear dad
I don't bake apple pies and cookies from scratch
I'm not even handy with a needle or thread
But you'll never go hungry and I'll make your bed
I'll make your bed a place you can't wait to go
Smooth satin pillows I will fluff for your head
And you'll want for nothin' and I'll make your bed
I'll love you to sleep at night, wake you with a kiss
Things that I can't do, I swear you won't miss
I promised forever on the day that we meet
That's love you truly and
I'll make your bed
Do-do-do-do-do-do, de-de-de-oh-h
Do-do-do-do-do-do, de-de-de ah
Do-do-do-do-do-do, de-de-de-oh-h
I'll love you truly and I'll make your bed
I'll clothe you in dreams or I will feed you with love
Show you a magic life that few have dreamed of
I know this can be the love you'll never regret
'Cause I'm your forever and I'll make your bed
I'll make your bed a place you can't wait to go
Softer than feathers and as sweet as a rose
Smooth satin pillows I will fluff for your head
And I'll love you truly and
I'll make your bed
I'll love you to sleep at night, wake you with a kiss
Things that I can't do, I swear you won't miss
Forever and always I will prove what I said
And love you a lifetime and
I'll make your bed
And you'll want for nothing and I'll make your bed
Do-do-do-do-do-do, dumb-de-de oh-h
De-de-de-de-de-de, do-do-do ah
Do-do-do-do-do-do, de-de-de oh
I'll love you truly and I'll make your bed
Do-do-do-do-do-do, da-de-de-de-oh-h
De-de-da-de-de, dumb-de-de-ah
De-de-da-de, de-dumb de-de-oh
I'll love you truly and I'll make your bed
In this song, Dolly Parton sings about how she may not fit the traditional domestic role of a wife, but she promises to love and take care of her partner in other ways. She states that she will make her partner's bed a place they can't wait to go, with soft pillows and beautiful linens. She promises to love them to sleep at night and wake them with a kiss. Dolly sings about how despite not being able to bake, sew or cook, she will clothe them in dreams and show them a magical life. She emphasizes that her love will be forever and unconditional.
The lyrics to "I'll Make Your Bed" may be interpreted in different ways. One way this song can be understood is as a celebration of non-traditional gender roles. Dolly Parton is saying that despite not being a "typical" wife, she still has a lot of love and care to give. She recognizes that there are many ways to show love and build a strong relationship. This song can also be read as a tribute to the power of emotional support. Dolly Parton is making a strong commitment to be there for her partner in every way possible, even if it means actively acknowledging what she can't do. This can be seen as a powerful message about the importance of supporting and loving your partner unconditionally.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm not the kind of girl that married dear dad
I don't follow traditional gender roles as a housewife or homemaker.
I don't bake apple pies and cookies from scratch
I'm not skilled at domestic tasks like cooking and baking.
I'm not even handy with a needle or thread
I lack the ability to sew or repair clothing.
But you'll never go hungry and I'll make your bed
Despite my lack of domestic skills, I will always take care of you and ensure you have what you need.
I'll make your bed a place you can't wait to go
I will create a comfortable and welcoming sleeping space for you.
Softer than feathers and as sweet as a rose
Your bed will be soft and luxurious, with a pleasant fragrance.
Smooth satin pillows I will fluff for your head
I will make sure your pillows are comfortable and supportive.
And you'll want for nothin' and I'll make your bed
With me taking care of you, you will lack for nothing and your bed will always be taken care of.
I'll love you to sleep at night, wake you with a kiss
I will show affection and care by lovingly putting you to bed and greeting you in the morning.
Things that I can't do, I swear you won't miss
Even though there are things I'm not good at or can't do, I promise you won't feel their absence or any lack in our relationship.
I promised forever on the day that we meet
From the day we met, I promised to stay with you forever.
That's love you truly and
My promise of forever is a testament to my true love for you.
I'll make your bed
I will take care of your sleeping space with love and attention.
I'll clothe you in dreams or I will feed you with love
I will provide for you in any way you need, whether that means supporting your aspirations or nourishing you with care and affection.
Show you a magic life that few have dreamed of
I will help you experience a life full of wonder and excitement that many only dream of.
I know this can be the love you'll never regret
I'm confident that the love we share will be something you'll never regret committing to.
'Cause I'm your forever and I'll make your bed
I'm committed to being with you forever, and taking care of your comfort and wellbeing along the way.
Forever and always I will prove what I said
I will continuously demonstrate my love through my actions and commitment to you.
And love you a lifetime and
I will love you for the rest of our lives and beyond.
And you'll want for nothing and I'll make your bed
With me by your side, you will lack for nothing and your bed will always be comfortable and inviting.
I'll love you truly and I'll make your bed
My love for you will be genuine and unwavering, and I will always provide for your comfort and wellbeing.
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.