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
Jealous Heart
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mine is a jealous heart
Imagines things that never are
Builds a fire from a tiny spark
But that's the way of a jealous heart
Sunny skies and a rosy bed
'Cause suddenly the sky turns dark
For those of us with a jealous heart
Imagination runnin' wild
Like a frantic frightened child
Any time that we're apart
I can't control my jealous heart
And you know mine is a jealous heart
And every hurt leaves a lasting scar
Don't you hate yourself for the fool you are
When you're cursed with a jealous heart
I love you more than words can tell
One day's heaven two days hell
Suspicious words like poison darts
Spoken from my jealous heart
Mine is a jealous heart
Imagines things that never are
Builds a fire from a tiny spark
But that's the way of a jealous heart
And you know mine, you know mine is a jealous heart
And every hurt, and every hurt leaves a lasting scar
Don't you hate yourself for the fool you are
When you're cursed with a jealous heart
And you know mine, you know mine is a jealous heart
Imagines things, imagines things that never are
Builds a fire from a tiny spark
But that's the way of a jealous heart
In Dolly Parton's song "Jealous Heart," the lyrics depict the turmoil of a person struggling with their own jealousy. The song tells the story of how jealousy can create problems even in the most loving relationships. It's a powerful representation of the feelings that can take hold of someone when the fear of losing someone they love becomes overwhelming.
Throughout the song, Dolly's lyrics reflect the painful reality that a jealous heart can bring. She sings, "Imagines things that never are" and "Builds a fire from a tiny spark." These phrases represent the way in which a person's jealousy can create unfounded suspicions and cause insignificant actions to be blown out of proportion.
The song reveals the constant burden that jealousy can bring to a person's life. Even when there is no reason to be jealous, it can control a person's thoughts and emotions. The lyrics, "Suspicious words like poison darts" portray how jealousy can penetrate and impact a relationship.
In conclusion, "Jealous Heart" is a compelling song that portrays the harm that jealousy can cause to an individual and their loved ones. The lyrics reveal the turmoil and pain that a person can experience when unable to control their jealousy.
Line by Line Meaning
Mine is a jealous heart
I have a heart that is often filled with jealousy.
Imagines things that never are
I tend to create imaginary scenarios in my head that aren't actually happening.
Builds a fire from a tiny spark
My jealousy can quickly escalate and become out of control even from a small trigger.
But that's the way of a jealous heart
Unfortunately, this is just the nature of having a jealous heart.
Sunny skies and a rosy bed
I may start off feeling happy and content in a relationship.
Thorns and storm clouds up ahead
But I know that there may be difficulties and uncertain moments in the future.
'Cause suddenly the sky turns dark
At times, my jealous thoughts can turn a previously happy moment into a negative one.
For those of us with a jealous heart
People who have jealous hearts like me understand how difficult it can be.
Imagination runnin' wild
My imagination may create unrealistic and unfounded scenarios.
Like a frantic frightened child
My jealousy can make me feel like a scared child who is unable to control their emotions.
Any time that we're apart
Being away from my partner can trigger my jealous thoughts.
I can't control my jealous heart
I struggle to keep my jealousy in check and it can sometimes take over.
And you know mine is a jealous heart
I am not ashamed to admit that I have a heart that is often filled with jealousy.
And every hurt leaves a lasting scar
My jealous thoughts can cause me pain and leave an emotional mark on my heart.
Don't you hate yourself for the fool you are
I often feel foolish for letting my jealousy get the best of me.
When you're cursed with a jealous heart
Having a jealous heart can feel like a curse at times.
I love you more than words can tell
Despite my struggles with jealousy, I truly love my partner deeply.
One day's heaven two days hell
However, my jealousy can make our relationship feel like a rollercoaster of ups and downs.
Suspicious words like poison darts
My jealousy can lead me to say hurtful or accusatory things to my partner, like poison darts.
Spoken from my jealous heart
These words often stem from my own jealousy and insecurity, rather than any actual wrongdoing on my partner's part.
And you know mine, you know mine is a jealous heart
My partner is aware of my tendency towards jealousy.
Imagines things, imagines things that never are
I tend to create scenarios in my head that are not based in reality.
But that's the way of a jealous heart
Unfortunately, this is just part of having a heart that is prone to jealousy.
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.