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
If We Don't
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's goin' on, what's goin' on
To me it seems to be so very wrong
So very wrong, can't get along
We can find the answers to
The questions and then and when we do
I do believe we could do a whole lot better
If we walk this life together
If we don't?
I'd like to think there is a better way
A better way, a brighter day
And I'd rather think like this
Than to be swayed the other way and only say
"There's no point to even try"
Be content to live a life of "I have faith"
When we decide to, we can change it
Take our world and rearrange it
Who is ever gonna change it, change it
If we don't?
Take a look inside ourselves
See what we can do
Make a step to be of help
So much to be improved
Try to make a difference in
This world before we're through
Who will do it, who will do
It, who will do it, who?
If we don't?
So look around and see what's goin' on
Everything just seems to be so wrong
If we'd open up our eyes
We could see a better life i still believe
There's a place for all of us
If we'd reach out and touch the love
Nothing's gonna ever change it much
If we don't
If I don't if you don't
If we don't if I don't
If you don't if I don't
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's song "If We Don't" convey a message about the need for unity and collective action in order to create a better world. The song encourages listeners to look around and acknowledge the wrongs that exist in society, emphasizing the importance of finding answers and working together to make a difference.
The opening lines invite us to observe what is happening around us and acknowledge the existing problems in the world. It highlights a sense of urgency, expressing that it feels so very wrong and that we can't get along. The lyrics suggest that the answers to the questions we have can be found if we come together and believe in our potential for improvement.
Dolly Parton stresses her belief that a better way and a brighter day are possible. She challenges the notion of giving up and being content with a life of "I have faith." Instead, she encourages us to take action and make the necessary changes. The repetition of the phrase "if we don't" throughout the song serves as a reminder that it is up to us to make the difference. The lyrics suggest that unless we decide to change and rearrange our world, no one else will.
In summary, the song "If We Don't" by Dolly Parton is a call to action, emphasizing the need to address the wrongs in the world and work together for a brighter future. It encourages listeners to open their eyes, reach out, and make a difference, as it is ultimately our responsibility to create the change we want to see.
Line by Line Meaning
Look around and see what's goin' on
Observe your surroundings and understand the current situation
What's goin' on, what's goin' on
What is happening, what is happening
To me it seems to be so very wrong
From my perspective, it appears to be highly incorrect
So very wrong, can't get along
Extremely wrong, unable to coexist peacefully
We can find the answers to
We have the ability to discover solutions for
The questions and then and when we do
The inquiries, and once we accomplish that
I do believe we could do a whole lot better
I firmly believe that we have the potential to greatly improve
If we walk this life together
If we navigate through life in unity
Who will make a difference in this world
Which individuals will bring about positive change in this world
If we don't?
If we fail to do so?
I'd like to think there is a better way
I prefer to believe that there exists a superior approach
A better way, a brighter day
An improved method, a more optimistic future
And I'd rather think like this
And I would prefer to have this mindset
Than to be swayed the other way and only say
Instead of being influenced in a different direction and merely uttering
"There's no point to even try"
"There is no reason to attempt anything"
Be content to live a life of "I have faith"
Be satisfied with leading a life centered around the notion of having faith
When we decide to, we can change it
When we make the decision, we have the capacity to alter it
Take our world and rearrange it
Transform our world by reorganizing it
Who is ever gonna change it, change it
Who will ever bring about its transformation, transform it
If we don't?
If we fail to do so?
Take a look inside ourselves
Reflect on our own inner selves
See what we can do
Discover our capabilities
Make a step to be of help
Take a proactive action to assist others
So much to be improved
Numerous aspects that can be enhanced
Try to make a difference in
Make an effort to bring about a positive change in
This world before we're through
This world before our time here is finished
Who will do it, who will do
Who will accomplish it, who will take action
It, who will do it, who?
It, who will accomplish it, who?
If we don't?
If we fail to do so?
So look around and see what's goin' on
Therefore, observe your surroundings and understand the current situation
Everything just seems to be so wrong
Everything simply appears to be highly incorrect
If we'd open up our eyes
If we were to expand our perception
We could see a better life, I still believe
We would be able to envision an improved existence, I continue to have faith
There's a place for all of us
There exists a place for each and every one of us
If we'd reach out and touch the love
If we were to extend our compassion and affection
Nothing's gonna ever change it much
Significant alterations will never occur
If we don't
If we fail to do so
If I don't if you don't
If I fail to do so, if you fail to do so
If we don't if I don't
If we fail to do so, if I fail to do so
If you don't if I don't
If you fail to do so, if I fail to do so
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Katia Martinez
Soy Mexicana, pero me encanta esta música ❣
ifechukwu O. Emmanuel
Dolly is amazingly beautiful. She sings like Angels. May God continue to bless her with good voice.
Ashley LeBlanc Music
Dolly is so amazing! 💗🎶
kaley woelfel
Three of my favorite singers! I love this song! Keep up the good work!❤️
Liliana Miftode
The album's songs are great.❤
Em
Perfect song for the troubles of today 🙌
Kátia Camila
Marvelous post! One of my favourite singers of all the times! Thanks for sharing! Have a great weekend! Warm greetings from Brazil!
Marryann Lamb
Thank you so very much for sharing .love dolly's songs.
Michele Gil
Thanks for sharing the dumplin's soundtrack. I've listening and loving you since "we've got tonight" with Kenny Rogers
Tina Butkus
Dolly Allison and Rhonda great song 💕💕