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 Still Believe
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Scared and wonderin' what happens next
Uncertainty, division, anger and the rest
I still believe
Questions of what and why and when
What is it? Why it happened or when will it end?
These are strange and crazy times that we're living in
I believe to my very core
We'll walk again in the sunshine by the seashore
That we'll dance and we'll sing and be happy again
Don't know how or when but we will again, you'll see
I still believe (I believe)
I believe there's a day and it's coming soon
Where we'll unmask this face of doom
Walk hand in hand in perfect harmony
And I believe there are good deeds to be sowed
Nurtured with love to make them grow
I believe that faith can heal our bodies, minds and souls
Yes, that's what I believe
I believe to my very core
We'll walk again in the sunshine by the seashore
That we'll dance and we'll sing and be happy again
Don't know how or when but we will again, you'll see
I believe (I believe)
(I still believe)
We've become hysterical, completely come undone
Oh, but I believe in miracles and that we'll soon see one
And the world will be a better place when all is said and done
You gotta believe (I believe)
I believe in a higher power and in the mist of our darkest hour
There's a light so bright it can melt away hate and greed
That's what I believe
(I still believe) I believe
I believe to my very core
We'll walk again in the sunshine by the seashore (I still believe)
That we'll dance and we'll sing and be happy again
You know our hearts, You know our needs
You see our fear, You hear our pleas
We come to You on bended knees
Through it all, I still believe
Even though we're walkin' through the valley of death
I will fear no evil
In the first verse of the song, Dolly Parton acknowledges the challenging and uncertain times we live in, characterized by fear, division, and anger. Despite facing these difficulties, she expresses her unwavering belief that there is hope and resilience even in the face of adversity. She emphasizes her steadfast faith by stating, "I still believe" amidst the backdrop of the valley of death.
The lyrics then delve into the questions that often arise during trying times - questions about the nature of current events, why they are happening, and when they will come to an end. Despite the confusion and chaos of the world, Dolly Parton maintains her belief in the possibility of a brighter future, evoking imagery of walking in the sunshine by the seashore and finding joy and happiness once again.
The song continues with a sense of optimism and conviction in the power of belief. Dolly Parton emphasizes her core belief in the eventual restoration of harmony and unity, envisioning a time when individuals can come together, unmasking the darkness that clouds the present and walking hand in hand in perfect harmony.
As the song progresses, Dolly Parton shifts her focus to the importance of kindness, love, and faith in healing and transforming not only our bodies but also our minds and souls. She asserts her belief in the capacity for good deeds and faith to sow seeds of positivity and growth, highlighting the potential for these actions to bring about healing and renewal amidst the turmoil of the world.
Through her poignant lyrics, Dolly Parton advocates for maintaining hope and faith in the face of adversity, believing in the possibility of miracles and a brighter future. She emphasizes the power of belief in a higher power and the ability of love and light to overcome hate and greed. The song ultimately serves as a message of resilience, perseverance, and unwavering faith, echoing the sentiment that even in the darkest of times, there is still room to believe in the possibility of a better tomorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Even though we're walkin' through the valley of death
Facing challenges and uncertainty
Scared and wonderin' what happens next
Feeling anxious and unsure about the future
Uncertainty, division, anger and the rest
Dealing with a mix of emotions and circumstances
I still believe
Maintaining hope and faith despite challenges
Questions of what and why and when
Seeking answers to uncertainties
That we'll dance and we'll sing and be happy again
Anticipating joyful moments in the future
There are good deeds to be sowed
Believing in the power of kindness and generosity
That faith can heal our bodies, minds and souls
Finding strength and comfort in faith
We've become hysterical, completely come undone
Feeling overwhelmed and disoriented
And the world will be a better place when all is said and done
Looking forward to positive change in the future
I believe in a higher power and in the mist of our darkest hour
Having faith in a greater spiritual force during tough times
Through it all, I still believe
Holding on to hope and faith throughout challenges
I will fear no evil
Remaining strong and fearless in the face of adversity
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton, Kent Wells
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Poeticsam
Why on earth would anyone give this a thumbs down?? This is such a beautiful and meaningful song. Gives us hope. Helps us keep the faith. Ms. Parton please continue to spread love, laughter, light, hope, faith and kindness because "I Still Believe" there are better days a-comin' and "I Still Believe" in you! God Bless you and all you do. 🦋❤
HempBuster
@bracesforme 3 If we took all the trolls and haters and put them in one spot or on a plant to be a little more farfetched, they would destroy one another fast and when they reach a few left would they even stop and think? "Oh how we hated reason for no reason at all" Merry Christmas.
bracesforme 3
Trolls, I guarantee you. They have no lifes what so ever and just like to ruin others or piss people off.
Coleman Jarrett
Just watched your Holly Dolly Christmas special! This song is phenomenal!
Manuel Orozco
I just came from there too
Ashley Williams
I just watched, as well, and love this song!
Debbi Owens
I agree this song is amazing and this whole album is beautiful
Linda Johnston
It’s an amazing song that is just in time for our joyous Christmas season
Aaron Baker
You can feel God in this song. Thank you Dolly!
Jimmy Jimmy
Dolly, I’ll always believe in you! God sent you from above to unify this Country. You are an angel for all the love you spread across the world! ❤️ We will always love you Dolly!