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 Can't Be True
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't be true no matter what I do
It's a weakness of mine, nothin' to do with you
So don't expect it of me though I expect it of you
I love you, I do, but I can't be true
Men are my weakness I've got a roving eye
And I've fallen victim to many a smile
I'm just a hopeless romantic so I can't be true, I can't be true
I can't be true no matter what I do
It's a weakness of mine, nothin' to do with you
So don't expect it of me though I expect it of you
I love you, I do, but I can't be true, I can't be true
Some play it safe while some like it hot
I guess you could say I never knew when to stop
But when I'm lovin' you, I'll give it all that I got
It might be different with you to know I can't be true
I can't be true no matter what I do
Oh I get around, and I break all of the rules
Now that you know it's true, I'll leave the rest up to you
I'll be good to you, but I can't be true, I can't be true
I can't be true no matter what I do
It's a weakness of mine, its not a weakness in you
So don't expect it of me though I expect it of you
I really love you, I do, but I can't be true, I can't be true
I can't be true no matter what I do
Oh I get around, and I break all of the rules
Now that you know it's true, I'll leave the rest up to you
I'll be good to you, but I can't be true, I can't be true
Dolly Parton's "I Can't Be True" is a confession of sorts, with the singer admitting that no matter what she does, she cannot be completely faithful to her lover. She acknowledges that her infidelity has nothing to do with him, but is instead a weakness of hers. She expects him to be true, but she can't promise the same in return. Men are Parton's weakness, and she admits to having a roving eye and falling victim to many a smile. Despite her love for her partner, she thrives on the excitement of new love and is a hopeless romantic.
The song reflects the complexities of romance and relationships. Parton recognizes that her behavior doesn't necessarily make her a bad person - she simply can't control her attraction to men. The line "Some play it safe while some like it hot / I guess you could say I never knew when to stop" speaks to the different approaches people take to love and sex. For some, monogamy and commitment are the only way to go. For others, the thrill of the chase and the excitement of multiple partners is too tempting to resist.
Overall, "I Can't Be True" is a frank and honest portrayal of the challenges of love, passion, and fidelity. Parton's vocals are emotive and vulnerable, adding depth to the lyrics and making the listener believe in her struggle.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't be true no matter what I do
I am incapable of being faithful, despite my efforts.
It's a weakness of mine, nothin' to do with you
My inability to be faithful is a personal flaw, not related to my partner.
So don't expect it of me though I expect it of you
I do not expect my partner to be unfaithful, but I understand if they expect fidelity from me.
I love you, I do, but I can't be true
Despite my love for you, I cannot commit to being faithful.
Men are my weakness I've got a roving eye
I am tempted by men and easily distracted by their attention.
And I've fallen victim to many a smile
I have succumbed to the charm of many men.
I just love the excitement of love when it's new
I enjoy the thrill of new romance, but struggle with long-term commitment.
I'm just a hopeless romantic so I can't be true, I can't be true
My love for romance and adventure prevents me from being faithful.
Some play it safe while some like it hot
People have differing views on fidelity.
I guess you could say I never knew when to stop
I struggle with controlling my impulses and knowing when to stop pursuing romantic interests.
But when I'm lovin' you, I'll give it all that I got
When I am with my partner, I will give my all, despite my inability to be faithful.
It might be different with you to know I can't be true
I hold out hope that I may be able to be faithful to my current partner, despite my past behavior.
Oh I get around, and I break all of the rules
I have a history of promiscuity and disregard for the expectations of fidelity in relationships.
Now that you know it's true, I'll leave the rest up to you
I am honest about my inability to be faithful and it is up to my partner to decide if they can accept that.
I'll be good to you, but I can't be true, I can't be true
I will treat my partner well and be loving, but I cannot commit to fidelity.
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.