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.
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Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I like your looks
I love your smile
Could I use you for a while?
It's all wrong but it's all right
The amber sunset glow has died
My needs are very much alive
It's all wrong but it's all right
It's all wrong but it's all right
Just close your eyes and hold me tight
Tell me sexy lovin' lies
It's all wrong
But it's all right
It may be wrong if we make love
But I just need someone so much
And who knows, it might last for life
It's all wrong but it's all right
It's all wrong but it's all right (it's all wrong but it's all right)
Just close your eyes and hold me tight
Tell me sexy lovin' lies
It's all wrong
But it's all right
It's all wrong but it's all right
Just close your eyes and fantasize
Tell me sexy lovin' lies
It's all wrong but it's all right
It's all wrong but it's all right
Just close your eyes and hold me tight
Tell me sexy lovin' lies
It's all wrong but it's all right
It's all wrong but it's all right
Just close your eyes and fantasize
In Dolly Parton's song "It's My Time," she calls upon her old friends to gather around her during her time of need. She reminisces about the friends she grew up with and scuffed around with, and the boys she played house with and kissed on the mouth. She expresses vulnerability and a need for her friends' support during her time of emotional turmoil, declaring that it's her turn to cry and that she needs their tender words and comfort.
The song speaks to the importance of friendship and the power of human connection during difficult times. It's a reminder that we all need support and love from those around us, especially in moments of crisis. The idea of gathering together to support a friend during their time of need is a universal concept that many can relate to, and Parton's soulful lyrics capture that sentiment beautifully.
Overall, "It's My Time" is a poignant and heartfelt ode to friendship, vulnerability, and the human experience.
Line by Line Meaning
It's my time
I feel that it's finally my time to express myself and I want everyone to gather around and listen to me.
Gather round girls
All the girls who have been my companions since my childhood and with whom I used to have fun, please come near me.
You I grew up with
I am referring to the people I grew up with and especially to my old time friends.
My old friends that I used to scuff with
I am referring to the close friendships and bonds that I had with my childhood friends, that were real and authentic.
Need you round me
I need all of you around me, because I feel alone and vulnerable and I want to feel your warmth and comfort.
At this time
I am going through a difficult period and I am looking for support and love from my friends.
You've all had your turn to cry
I know that all of you have gone through difficult times and cried, but now it's my turn to express my feelings and cry.
An old friend stood closely by
In the past, I had a friend who was always by my side, always supporting me in my journey, and now I am looking for the same support.
Friends of mine
I am referring to all of my friends, whom I value and cherish deeply.
Stand by me
I am asking all of my friends to stand by me, to support me and to show me their affection.
'Cause it's my time
I want my friends to stand by me, because I feel that it's my time to express my feelings and emotions.
It's my time to cry
I feel like crying and expressing my emotions, as I haven't done it before.
Oh oh oh oh
I am expressing my emotions, and this sound conveys the depth of my feelings.
It's my turn to cry yeah
I am reiterating that it's my turn to express my emotions and cry.
Gather round boys
I am now addressing the boys who were my childhood companions, asking them to come near me.
I used to play house with
I am referring to the fun games I used to play with the boys when we were young, like playing house.
Come here boys
I am inviting the boys to come near me and show me their affection.
I first kissed on the mouth with
I am referring to a special moment in my life, the first kiss I shared with one of these boys.
Need your tender words so kind
I am expressing my need for tender and kind words from my childhood companions, to feel their love and support now that I am going through a tough time.
You've all had your misty eyes
All of my friends have gone through their own challenges and tough times, so they can understand the difficulties I am facing.
An old friend stood by to dry
I had a friend who was always by my side to support me and help me overcome my difficult times, and I am now looking for the same kind of help.
Whoa whoa
I am expressing my emotions again, manifesting my feelings through this sound.
It's my time
I am reiterating the fact that it's my turn to express my emotions and that I need the support of my old friends at this moment.
It's my time to cry mmm
I am restating my need to cry and express my feelings, during this challenging time in my life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thalassa Fischer
OMG don't get me started on the 90s...
"Why'd You Come In Here Looking Like That"
"Fancy"
"Lousiana Saturday Night"
"I Fell In Love"
ANYTHING BY KEITH WHITLEY!!!
When ppl talk about Garth Brooks I'm like "okay you don't like country muisc."
Jennifer P. Canady
Why'd you come in here lookin' like that
In your cowboy boots and your painted-on jeans
All decked out like a cowgirl's dream
Why'd you come in here looking like that
Here comes my baby
Draggin' my heart behind
He's drivin' me crazy
Who says love is blind
He's got a wanderin' eye and a travelin' mind
Big ideas and a little behind
Out with a different woman every night
But I remember when he was mine
Why'd you come in here lookin' like that
In your high heeled boots and your painted-on jeans
All decked out like a cowgirl's dream
Waltzing right in here lookin' like that
Why'd you come in here lookin' like that
When you could stop traffic in a gunney sack
Why you're almost givin' me a heart attack
When you waltz right in here lookin' like that
I just can't stand it
To see him on the town
He's out slow dancing
With every girl around
I'm a softhearted woman he's a hardheaded man
And he's gonna make me feel just as bad as he can
He's got himself a mean streak a half a mile wide
But now he's dancing on this heart of mine
Ooh, Why'd you come in here lookin' like that
In your high heeled boots and your painted-on jeans
All decked out like a cowgirl's dream
Why's you come in here lookin' like that
Why'd you come in here lookin' like that
In your high heeled boots and your painted-on jeans
All decked out like a cowgirl's dream
Why'd you come in here lookin' like that
Why'd you come in here lookin' like that
When you could stop traffic in a gunney sack
Why you're almost givin' me a heart attack
When you waltz right in here lookin' like that
Why'd you come in here lookin' like that
Why'd you come in here lookin' like that
cleaningtim
How could anyone not love Dolly Parton ? She seems so wholesome and down to earth. I am sure fame affected her some, but, I think she has always tried to remain true to her roots. She is a rare , wonderful music artist and actress. Love you Dolly !
David Alexander
cleaningtim Fame didn't affect her one bit. She is a country girl from Tennessee.
Bittersweet Cand
She's an incredible artist,singer. Prolific songwriter too. She also has charisma I would say
Connor S.
Yea she’s great. technically, Kitty Wells is the queen tho
Jen Labrecque
cleaningtim 2019 i’am always here
Tami Pike
She is
Janet Chambers
i love hearing dolly sing it always get me in a good mood
Fred William
Hello Janet
Paul LaCamera
That's cool. You're very smart lol 😆. God bless you, Janet..!! How are you doing today I hope you enjoyed the sweet melody of Dolly's song Right 👍? Coz I'm a big fan of Dolly Parton.💞😇👀
KULARATHNA RAJAPAKSHA
What uou said is true