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 Walk the Line
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the ties that bind
Because you're mine I walk the line
I find it very very easy to be true
Yes I admit it, I am a fool for you
Because you're mine I walk the line
As sure as night is dark and day's light
I keep you on my mind both day and night
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
Because you're mine, I walk the line
You've got a way to keep me on your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
Because you're mine, I walk that line
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you're mine, I walk the line
Because you're mine, I walk the line
Because you're mine, I walk the line
I'm gonna walk it
I'm gonna walk the line
I'm gonna walk it, walk it, walk it
I'm gonna walk that line
I'm gonna walk it because you're mine
I'm gonna walk it, walk it
I'm gonna walk the line
I'm gonna walk it, walk it
I'm gonna walk the line
I'm gonna walk it
I'm gonna walk the line
Dolly Parton's version of I Walk the Line, originally recorded by Johnny Cash in 1956, is a love song emphasizing the importance of remaining faithful and loyal to one's partner. The song begins with the singer professing his dedication to his lover, keeping a watchful eye on his heart and staying alert to maintain their love connection. He acknowledges that it is effortless for him to be true in his relationship and even though he finds himself alone at times, he remains focused on his partner. He admits to being a fool for his lover, believing that his commitment to her is what drives him to keep walking the line.
The second verse explicates his unwavering love for his partner, stating that she is always on his mind, and his happiness is the result of being with her. The third part of the song highlights the unique way his partner has to keep him on her side and the love that she provokes in him that he cannot hide. He says that he would even try to turn the tide for her, anything to remain dedicated to her. The song ends with the singer restating his commitment to his lover, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and faithfulness in love.
Overall, I Walk the Line is a love song about remaining faithful to one's partner and the steadfast commitment required to sustain a healthy and happy relationship. The song's simplicity and straightforwardness in expressing the importance of loyalty in love have made it a classic.
Line by Line Meaning
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I am careful about protecting my heart and making sure it stays true
I keep my eyes wide open all the time
I remain vigilant and watchful, never letting my guard down
I keep the ends out for the ties that bind
I am always on the lookout for connections that will keep me grounded and connected to what is important to me
Because you're mine I walk the line
I am loyal and committed to you, and it drives me to stay true to myself and my values
I find it very very easy to be true
Being true to myself and to you comes naturally and without hesitation
I find myself alone when each day's through
At the end of each day, I reflect and find that I am content and at peace with where I am
Yes I admit it, I am a fool for you
I am unabashedly devoted to you, even if it means people might see me as foolish
As sure as night is dark and day's light
My commitment to you is rock-solid and unwavering, like the cycles of day and night
I keep you on my mind both day and night
You are always in my thoughts, no matter what else is going on in my life
And happiness I've known proves that it's right
My happiness is evidence that staying true to you and myself is the correct path
You've got a way to keep me on your side
Your way of being and loving keeps me loyal and by your side
You give me cause for love that I can't hide
Your love for me inspires me to reciprocate and be open with my emotions
For you I know I'd even try to turn the tide
I would go to great lengths for you, even if it meant changing the course of events against all odds
Because you're mine, I walk that line
My love and loyalty to you guide me to stay true to myself and to our relationship
I'm gonna walk it
I will continue on this path
I'm gonna walk the line
I will stay true to myself and to you
I'm gonna walk it, walk it, walk it
I will carry on this commitment without fail
I'm gonna walk that line
I will continue to stay true to myself and to you no matter what
I'm gonna walk it because you're mine
My love for you compels me to stay true and loyal
I'm gonna walk it, walk it
I will continue to stay true to myself and to you even if it is difficult
I'm gonna walk the line
I will stay committed and loyal to you and our relationship
I'm gonna walk it, walk it
I will always continue to stay true to myself and to you
I'm gonna walk the line
I will remain steadfast and consistent in my loyalty and devotion to you
I'm gonna walk it
I will stay true to myself and to you until the end
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Johnny Cash
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.