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 know You By Heart
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Somebody, somebody who will always care
We get locked up in our own worlds
With feelings and secrets we're afraid to share
But all I have to do is see you smile
And maybe, just maybe if I brush your hand
Something happens, I cannot explain
I, I think you're gonna find
Gonna find you, gonna find you
I'm reading your mind
I know you by heart
And you're so much a part of me
I know you by heart, yes, I do
It's no wonder I can love you the way that I do
I can finish any sentence you start
I know you, I know you by heart
I know every time you're gonna call
I pick up the phone before it ever rings
And when you need some lovin'
I'll be there beside you, anticipating everything
Oh, it's like I always said
You're the one I want
All I want is you
I'm inside your head
I know you by heart
Girl, you're so much a part of me
I know you by heart, yes, I do
It's no wonder I can love you the way that I do
I can finish any sentence you start
I know you, I know you by heart
It's no wonder I can love you the way that I do
I can finish any sentence you start
I know you, I know you by heart
I know you by heart
And you're so much a part of me
I know you by heart, I know you, I know you, I know you
It's no wonder I can love you the way that I do
I can finish any sentence you start
I know you, I know you by
heart.
In "I Know You By Heart," Dolly Parton sings about the power of a deep connection with someone. The song explores the desire for human connection and the feeling of finally finding someone who truly understands and knows you. The lyrics talk about the fear of sharing secrets and feelings, but the comfort that comes from being with someone who truly knows you. The chorus of the song emphasizes this deep understanding, stating that the singer knows the other person "by heart" and that they are a significant part of the singer's life.
The song is a powerful reflection on the human need for connection and love. The lyrics are emotional and heartfelt, and Parton's beautiful voice carries the message forward. The song speaks to the deep human desire for intimacy and the joy that comes from finding a deep connection with another person.
Overall, "I Know You By Heart" is a song that speaks to the core of the human experience. It's a song about love, connection, and the importance of truly knowing and understanding the people we care about.
Line by Line Meaning
Everybody wants to find a love
Everyone seeks to find a romantic partner.
Somebody, somebody who will always care
A partner who will consistently show affection and concern.
We get locked up in our own worlds
We become absorbed in our own personal experiences and emotions.
With feelings and secrets we're afraid to share
We hold onto our innermost thoughts and emotions, fearing the vulnerability of sharing them.
But all I have to do is see you smile
The presence of the person and their happy expression bring joy to the artist.
And maybe, just maybe if I brush your hand
A touch from the person may create an unexplainable reaction.
Something happens, I cannot explain
An inexplicable feeling arises within the singer when interacting with the person.
And somehow, oh, somehow I can understand
Though difficult to explain, the artist comprehends the nature of their inexplicable feelings.
I, I think you're gonna find
The artist believes that they can accurately predict the person's thoughts and emotions.
Gonna find you, gonna find you
The artist has confidence in their ability to locate the person.
I'm reading your mind
The singer can accurately anticipate the person's thoughts and emotions.
I know you by heart
The artist has a deep understanding and familiarity with the person.
And you're so much a part of me
The person has become integral to the singer's life and identity.
It's no wonder I can love you the way that I do
The depth of the singer's love and understanding for the person is not surprising.
I can finish any sentence you start
The singer can accurately predict the person's thoughts and actions to a high degree.
Girl, you're so much a part of me
The person has a significant impact on the artist's life and sense of self.
I know you by heart, yes, I do
The artist has an intimate understanding of the person.
It's no wonder I can love you the way that I do
The depth and intensity of the singer's love and understanding for the person is not surprising.
I know you, I know you by heart
The singer has a deep, intuitive knowledge of the person.
It's no wonder I can love you the way that I do
The depth and intensity of the artist's love and understanding for the person is not surprising.
I can finish any sentence you start
The artist has a deep understanding of the person, including their thoughts and expressions.
I know you, I know you by heart.
The artist has a profound connection to and understanding of the person's thoughts and emotions.
Lyrics © KAREN SCHAUBEN PUBLISHING ADMINISTRATION
Written by: DEAN PITCHFORD, GEORGE MERRILL, SHANNON RUBICAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marta Aguilera
Everybody wants to find a love
Somebody, somebody who will always care
We get locked up in our own worlds
With feelings and secrets we're afraid to share
But all I have to do is see you smile
And maybe, just maybe if I brush your hand
Something happens, I cannot explain
And somehow, oh, somehow I can understand
I, I think you're gonna find
Gonna find you, gonna find you
I'm reading your mind
I know you by heart
And you're so much a part of me
I know you by heart, yes, I do
It's no wonder I can love you the way that I do
I can finish any sentence you start
I know you, I know you by heart
I know every time you're gonna call
I pick up the phone before it ever rings
And when you need some lovin'
I'll be there beside you, anticipating everything
Oh, it's like I always said
You're the one I want
All I want is you
I'm inside your head
I know you by heart
Girl, you're so much a part of me
I know you by heart, yes, I do
It's no wonder I can love you the way that I do
I can finish any sentence you start
I know you, I know you by heart
It's no wonder I can love you the way that I do
I can finish any sentence you start
I know you, I know you by heart
I know you by heart
And you're so much a part of me
I know you by heart, I know you, I know you, I know you
It's no wonder I can love you the way that I do
I can finish any sentence you start
I know you, I know you by
Anshika Aloo
This makes me nostalgic for an era that I haven't even experienced wish I could go back in time!
Glenda Cook
YES!!!! This is so 80's!! Such a wonderful time!!! I wish quite often to go back to those day's! I tell my daughters all the time!; wish I could take them back to a time with out stress & things were a simple time!! Everyone has dignity & respect!!! Things were such fun back then!!
Somer Wirkner
DOOLLY PATËN IS THE BEST WAY FOR YOU 💜💜💜💜💜💜
Lucky Luna Loops
Two voices from heaven. Ahhhh... the songs from pre-autotune, when singers could actually sing and be known by merit of actual talent.
Will Mallory
Well stated!
Otis Roseboro
Perfectly Said
Clark Griswold
These older videos are timeless and endearing. ❤️ Nothing like music today and will never be topped!
Gordon Weiss
This song still sounds fresh and new... Love it!!!
Otis Roseboro
Fact's
Mia Kiceh
I'm really thrilled to see these two legends collaborate. I love the vocals, the visuals are cute and entertaining, ... the tune is a hit.
Thanks for sharing your talents online. Blessings upon you and yours. <3 <3 <3