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 Want to Be What You Need
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're not strong and need someone to lean on
Let me be your strength when you're weak
When you need somebody to comfort and love you
Let mine be the arms that you seek
I want to be what you need
Whatever it is, come to me
'Cause I want to be what you need
When life gets to be more than you can endure
My hand is always in reach
And I'm always waiting, and I'm always willing
To give you whatever you need
I want to be what you need
Whatever it is, come to me
You'll always know where I'll be
'Cause I want to be what you need
Yes, I want to be what you need
Dolly Parton's "I Want to Be What You Need" is a love song with a message of commitment and a willingness to do whatever it takes to support the one you love. The lyrics embody the idea of unconditional love and the promise of being a source of strength, comfort, and stability in the face of life's challenges. The song speaks to the power of a relationship where each partner can be vulnerable and rely on the other for support.
The opening lines set the tone, expressing a desire to be a source of strength for the one you love. The song's repeated refrain of "I want to be what you need" underscores this commitment to being there for your partner, no matter what they need. The song acknowledges that life can be difficult and that we all face struggles, but it also affirms that having someone to rely on can make all the difference. The lyrics convey a sense of deep connection and intimacy between two people, and suggest that the bond between them is strong enough to endure anything.
Overall, "I Want to Be What You Need" is a beautiful and heartfelt song that celebrates the power of love and the importance of supporting those we care about. It highlights the importance of being there for your partner through thick and thin, and the comfort and security that comes from knowing you have someone to rely on.
Interesting Facts:
1. "I Want to Be What You Need" was released in 1977 on Dolly Parton's album "Here You Come Again."
2. The song was written by songwriter Bob Morrison, who also wrote hits for other country music stars, including Conway Twitty and Merle Haggard.
3. The song was a top-ten hit on the Billboard country charts, peaking at number five.
4. The song was later covered by country singer Lorrie Morgan in 2002.
5. Dolly Parton performed the song during her 2016 Pure & Simple tour.
6. The song features a simple arrangement, with acoustic guitar and soft strings in the background.
7. The song's message of commitment and unconditional love has made it a popular choice for weddings and other romantic occasions.
8. The song has been covered by other artists, including Alison Krauss and Randy Travis.
9. The song was included on Dolly Parton's 1999 "The Love Album," which features a collection of her most romantic songs.
10. The song's lyrics were emblazoned on a t-shirt sold as part of Dolly Parton's merchandise line.
Chords:
While we couldn't find the exact chords to the song, the instrumental parts are relatively simple with an acoustic guitar and soft strings in the background. The song is in 4/4 time and follows a standard chord progression, using the chords G, C, D, and Em.
Line by Line Meaning
When you're not strong and need someone to lean on
When life gets tough and you feel like giving up, I want to be the person you can rely on for support.
Let me be your strength when you're weak
If you're feeling weak and powerless, I will provide the strength you need to overcome any obstacle.
When you need somebody to comfort and love you
If you're feeling sad and alone, I promise to be there to offer you comfort and love. You never have to be alone in your pain.
Let mine be the arms that you seek
Whenever you feel lost and alone, know that my arms are open wide to comfort and console you. You are never alone as long as I am around.
I want to be what you need
I am committed to being the person you can depend on whenever you need me. Whatever it takes, I will be there for you.
Whatever it is, come to me
Whatever challenge you face or problem you encounter, don't be afraid to come to me for help. I am here for you and won't judge you.
You'll always know where I'll be
No matter what happens, you can always find me. I will always be there to support you and provide whatever encouragement you need.
'Cause I want to be what you need
My desire is to be the person you need in your life. I want to be there for you through the good times and the bad, always ready to offer whatever support or love you require.
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.