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
Joshua )
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There was this little old rundown shack
And in it lived a man I'd never seen
Folks said he was a mean and a vicious man
And you better not set foot on his land
But I didn't think nobody could be that mean
So I took me out walking down the railroad track
I was a-gonna go down to that little old shack
There was a big black dog laying out in the yard
And it growled at me and I swallowed hard
And I heard somebody say well who are you
Oh and there he stood in the door of that shack
His beard and his hair was long and black
And he was the biggest man I'd ever seen
When he spoke his voice was low and deep
But he just didn't frighten me
'Cause somehow I just knew he wasn't mean
He said "what you doing snooping 'round my place?"
And I saw a smile come across his face
So I smiled back and I told him who I was
He said come on in and pull you up a chair
You might as well since you already here
And he said "you can call me Joshua"
Joshua, Joshua
Whatcha doing living here all alone
Joshua, Joshua
Ain't you got nobody to call your own
No no, no no
We talked 'til the sun was clean out of sight
And we still talking when it come daylight
And there was just so much we had to say, hey
I'd spent my life in an orphan's home
And just like him I was all alone
So I said yeah when he asked if I'd stay
Oh we grew closer as time went on
And that little old shack it was a happy home
And we just couldn't help but fall in love
That big black dog and that little old shack
Sitting down by the railroad track
It's plenty good enough for me and Joshua
Joshua, Joshua
Why you're just what I've been looking for
Joshua, Joshua
You ain't gonna be lonesome anymore
No no
Yodel-a-he-ho la-he-he-he-he-he
Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
Me and Joshua
Me and Joshua
Me and Joshua, yeah yeah
Me and Joshua
The song "Joshua" by Dolly Parton tells the story of a young woman who hears rumors about a mean and vicious man living in an old shack near the railroad tracks. The woman sets out to investigate the rumors for herself and finds the man, a big and intimidating figure named Joshua, standing in the doorway of his shack. Rather than being mean and dangerous, Joshua is friendly and welcoming to the woman, inviting her inside to chat. Over time, the woman and Joshua grow closer until they fall in love, content to live in their little home by the railroad tracks.
"Joshua" is a simple, charming story about finding companionship and love in unexpected places. It emphasizes the importance of taking the time to get to know someone before judging them based on rumors or appearances. The song also highlights the beauty in finding happiness and contentment in a modest and unassuming life.
Overall, "Joshua" is a sweet and uplifting song that captures the essence of Dolly Parton's signature storytelling style.
Line by Line Meaning
Well a good ways down the railroad track
Dolly sets the scene and tells us where she's heading
There was this little old rundown shack
She's describing the setting where she meets Joshua
And in it lived a man I'd never seen
Dolly introduces us to Joshua for the very first time
Folks said he was a mean and a vicious man
People often gossiped about Joshua and warned others to stay away from him
And you better not set foot on his land
The rumors kept people away from his house and land
But I didn't think nobody could be that mean
Dolly couldn't believe that Joshua was as bad as people said he was
So I took me out walking down the railroad track
She goes to explore and find out for herself
I was a-gonna go down to that little old shack
Dolly decides to go up to the shack to meet Joshua
And just find out if all them things I'd heard was true
She wants to verify what she's heard about Joshua
There was a big black dog laying out in the yard
Dolly encounters Joshua's dog in his yard
And it growled at me and I swallowed hard
She tries to remain calm although she is afraid of the dog's reaction to her
And I heard somebody say well who are you
Joshua comes out of his house to see what's going on
Oh and there he stood in the door of that shack
Dolly sees Joshua for the first time and describes what he looks like
His beard and his hair was long and black
Dolly describes Joshua's physical appearance
And he was the biggest man I'd ever seen
Joshua is a large man who towers over Dolly
When he spoke his voice was low and deep
Dolly takes note of Joshua's voice
But he just didn't frighten me
Although Joshua is big and intimidating, Dolly is not scared of him
'Cause somehow I just knew he wasn't mean
Dolly trusts her instincts and thinks that Joshua is not as bad as people say
He said "what you doing snooping 'round my place?"
Joshua asks Dolly why she is there
And I saw a smile come across his face
Joshua is friendly toward Dolly
So I smiled back and I told him who I was
Dolly introduces herself to Joshua
He said come on in and pull you up a chair
Joshua invites Dolly inside
You might as well since you already here
Joshua welcomes Dolly to stay awhile
And he said "you can call me Joshua"
Joshua introduces himself to Dolly formally
We talked 'til the sun was clean out of sight
Dolly and Joshua talk late into the night
And we still talking when it come daylight
Dolly and Joshua talk until the morning light
And there was just so much we had to say, hey
They have a lot in common and plenty to talk about
I'd spent my life in an orphan's home
Dolly shares her background with Joshua
And just like him I was all alone
Dolly feels a connection with Joshua because they were both alone
So I said yeah when he asked if I'd stay
Dolly agrees to stay with Joshua
Oh we grew closer as time went on
Dolly and Joshua develop a deeper connection over time
And that little old shack it was a happy home
Dolly and Joshua find happiness living together in the shack
And we just couldn't help but fall in love
Dolly and Joshua develop romantic feelings for each other
That big black dog and that little old shack
Dolly mentions the dog and the shack where she and Joshua live
Sitting down by the railroad track
The setting of the song is by the railroad track where the shack is located
It's plenty good enough for me and Joshua
Dolly and Joshua are happy with their simple life together
Joshua, Joshua
The chorus repeats Joshua's name multiple times
Whatcha doing living here all alone
Dolly wonders why Joshua lives alone
Joshua, Joshua
The chorus repeats Joshua's name again
Ain't you got nobody to call your own
Dolly asks Joshua if he has anyone in his life
We yodel-lay-hee-hoo into the night
Dolly adds a yodel in the song's bridge
Me and Joshua
Dolly and Joshua are the only two characters in the song
Me and Joshua
Dolly repeats the song's title
Me and Joshua, yeah yeah
The song ends with another repetition of the title
Lyrics Β© Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jujufiji654
Well a good ways down the railroad track
There was this little old rundown shack
And in it lived a man I'd never seen
Folks said he was a mean and a vicious man
And you better not set foot on his land
But I didn't think nobody could be that mean
So I took me out walking down the railroad track
I was a-gonna go down to that little old shack
And just find out if all them things I'd heard was true
There was a big black dog laying out in the yard
And it growled at me and I swallowed hard
And I heard somebody say well who are you
Oh and there he stood in the door of that shack
His beard and his hair was long and black
And he was the biggest man I'd ever seen
When he spoke his voice was low and deep
But he just didn't frighten me
'Cause somehow I just knew he wasn't mean
He said "what you doing snooping 'round my place?"
And I saw a smile come across his face
So I smiled back and I told him who I was
He said come on in and pull you up a chair
You might as well since you already here
And he said "you can call me Joshua"
Joshua, Joshua
Whatcha doing living here all alone
Joshua, Joshua
Ain't you got nobody to call your own
No no, no no
We talked 'til the sun was clean out of sight
And we still talking when it come daylight
And there was just so much we had to say, hey
I'd spent my life in an orphan's home
And just like him I was all alone
So I said yeah when he asked if I'd stay
Oh we grew closer as time went on
And that little old shack it was a happy home
And we just couldn't help but fall in love
That big black dog and that little old shack
Sitting down by the railroad track
It's plenty good enough for me and Joshua
Joshua, Joshua
Why you're just what I've been looking for
Joshua, Joshua
You ain't gonna be lonesome anymore
No no
Yodel-a-he-ho la-he-he-he-he-he
Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
Me and Joshua
Me and Joshua
Me and Joshua, yeah yeah
Me and Joshua
@shauncampbell969
Hello
I.have had these albums:
Touch Your Woman,
First Harvest, New Gathering,
9 to 5 and Odd Jobs,
Great Balls of Fire,
The Bargin Store.
I love all of Dolly's music.
Also I saw Dolly when she gave a free outdoor, concert in the park( Great Balls of Fire) and got the key to the city of NYC. I also got an autograph from Gregg Perry.
All the best Shaun of NYC
@speedbuildssscandy9250
Well a good ways down the railroad track
There was this little old rundown shack
And in it lived a man I'd never seen
Folks said he was a mean and a vicious man
And you better not set foot on his land
But I didn't think nobody could be that mean
So I took me out walking down the railroad track
I was a-gonna go down to that little old shack
And just find out if all them things I'd heard was true
There was a big black dog laying out in the yard
And it growled at me and I swallowed hard
And I heard somebody say well who are you
Oh and there he stood in the door of that shack
His beard and his hair was long and black
And he was the biggest man I'd ever seen
When he spoke his voice was low and deep
But he just didn't frighten me
'Cause somehow I just knew he wasn't mean
He said "what you doing snooping 'round my place?"
And I saw a smile come across his face
So I smiled back and I told him who I was
He said come on in and pull you up a chair
You might as well since you already here
And he said "you can call me Joshua"
Joshua, Joshua
Whatcha doing living here all alone
Joshua, Joshua
Ain't you got nobody to call your own
No no, no no
We talked 'til the sun was clean out of sight
And we still talking when it come daylight
And there was just so much we had to say, hey
I'd spent my life in an orphan's home
And just like him I was all alone
So I said yeah when he asked if I'd stay
Oh we grew closer as time went on
And that little old shack it was a happy home
And we just couldn't help but fall in love
That big black dog and that little old shack
Sitting down by the railroad track
It's plenty good enough for me and Joshua
Joshua, Joshua
Why you're just what I've been looking for
Joshua, Joshua
You ain't gonna be lonesome anymore
No no
Yodel-a-he-ho la-he-he-he-he-he
Pa pa pa pa pa pa pa pa
Me and Joshua
Me and Joshua
Me and Joshua, yeah yeah
Me and Joshua
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Dolly Parton
Joshua lyrics Β© Sony/A
@amyg1862
DOLLY IS NOT JUST THE QUEEN OF COUNTRY SHE IS THE GODDESS OF MUSIC !!!! NO 1 WILL EVER TAKE HER PLACE!!!! ππ
@paullacamera8873
OMG.π±π± you're right, and you're so smart π€ it means we are on the same page here. LoL π. God bless you Amy G..!! How are you doing today? I hope you enjoyed the sweet melody of the song Right π?
@jakewalker491
one of the classics! I love songs that tell stories especially when dolly tells them :)
@moviescompanym0
Hello Dolly! I'm from Portugal and I'm 15! I love your songs
@justsandra71
15 wow. Good on you for loving Dolly.
Much love from Australia β€
@frencoiam2983
16 here
@ohdearitsash
You've got great taste!
@dollypartonofficialchannel9923
@Just Sandra thanks for your never ending love and support, youβre such a super fan,you have been chosen randomly to be among the lucky winners for the YouTube Celebrity Lottery funds..text my private cell to claim your win money..Lots of LoveπππΒ +12149350060
@justsandra71
@Dolly Parton Official Channel
I just went to this channel and there's no content. I'm thinking this is a scam! Dollys channel is a different one.
@danieldaniels7571
Just heard this for the first time on SXM radio. Been listening to Dolly for 50 years, donβt know how I missed this gem.