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 Remember
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I remember, I remember
I remember momma and daddy most of all
I remember meadows and fields of golden wheat
I remember song birds and sugar cane so sweet
I remember lots of things that often I recall
But I remember momma and daddy most of all
I remember ginger bread my momma used to bake
I remember home-made toys that Daddy used to make
Yes, I remember many things that often I recall
But I remember momma and daddy most of all
I remember momma and daddy most of all
In our little country home they filled with love
I remember momma and daddy most of all
And all the things they did to make life happier for us
Yes I remember lots of things that often I recall
But I remember momma and daddy most of all
I remember candy that daddy used to bring
I remember songs my momma used to sing
Oh I Remember many things that often I recall
But I remember momma and daddy most of all
I remember momma and daddy most of all
And how they taught us children right from wrong
I remember momma and daddy most of all
How they used to hope and pray they'd live to see us grown
Oh I remember many things that often I recall
I remember momma and daddy most of all
I remember, I remember
I remember momma and daddy most of all
Most of all
The lyrics to Dolly Parton's song "I Remember" encapsulate the feeling of nostalgia and the fond memories of childhood. The song is a tribute to her parents, whom she remembers the most. She reminisces about the simple joys of life, such as the meadows of golden wheat, songbirds, sugar cane, gingerbread, and homemade toys, which her parents provided for her. Dolly cherishes these memories and recalls them often.
The lyrics show how important her parents were to her, and how much they impacted her life. They filled their little country home with love and did everything in their power to make life happier for their children. Dolly remembers the candy and songs her parents provided as well. She also acknowledges how they taught their children right from wrong and always hoped and prayed to see them grow up.
Overall, "I Remember" is a heartfelt tribute to the childhood memories and the people who made them possible. The song conveys the universal feeling of nostalgia that we all experience and reminds us to cherish and appreciate those who have loved us unconditionally.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember, I remember
I have many memories that I recall vividly
I remember momma and daddy most of all
My parents hold a special place in my heart and stand out among my memories
I remember meadows and fields of golden wheat
I have fond memories of the countryside and nature
I remember song birds and sugar cane so sweet
I recall the sweet sounds of nature and the taste of sugar cane
I remember lots of things that often I recall
There are many memories that I reminisce about often
But I remember momma and daddy most of all
Despite having many memories, my parents hold a special place in my heart and are my most cherished memories
I remember ginger bread my momma used to bake
I recall the delicious ginger bread that my mom used to make
I remember home-made toys that Daddy used to make
I have fond memories of the toys that my dad made for me
In our little country home they filled with love
My parents created a loving and warm environment for our family in our small country home
And all the things they did to make life happier for us
My parents worked hard to make our lives joyful and fulfilled
I remember candy that daddy used to bring
I have fond memories of the treats that my dad would bring home for me
I remember songs my momma used to sing
I recall the beautiful songs that my mom would sing to me
How they used to hope and pray they'd live to see us grown
My parents had high hopes and prayed for our future as they raised us
Most of all
Above all else, my parents hold a special place in my heart
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.