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
Lover du Jour
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It won't do you any good,
'Cause I know your kind!
If you wanna be mine,
We gotta get this understood!
Oh, I'm not gonna be your, be your lover du jour
Your special of the day, no way, I'll do farewell, bonjour
If you think that I will be your, be your lover du jour
Pas moi (Lover du jour), not me!
I am well aware of your good looks and sexy ways
Serving up yourself to girls to satisfy your taste
The fresh catch of the day, on your Romeo buffet
Served up hot and ready, just having it your way
Well, if I'm on the menu, you'd better get this straight
Me and you had better come to terms before you grab your plate
Don't even place your order if you believe that I
I'm just some cheesy little dish, just another chickie pie
No, I'm not gonna be your, be your lover du jour
The flavor of the day, no way, I'll do farewell, bonjour
Pardon my French but there's no chance in hell that I endure
The fact that I would only be your lover du jour
Oubliez-moi (Lover du jour), forget me!
Still looking, lover boy?
Have you changed your view?
I told you once, I'll say it again
I'll take no merde from you! (That's crap!)
If you want something appetizing
Something real and satisfying
I'll be worth a second look, but that's the only way!
'Cause, I'm not gonna be your, be your amour du jour
Your playmate of the day, no way, I'll do farewell, bonjour
'Cause I won't be caught up in all your charm and your allure
No, I'm not gonna be your, be your lover du jour!
No, I'm not gonna be your, be your lover du jour!
The special of the day, no way, I'll do farewell, bonjour!
Pardon my French, but there's no chance in hell that I'll endure
The fact that I would only be your lover du jour
No, I'm not gonna be your, be your lover du jour!
Your lover du jour!
Hm hm hm c'est dommage (Too bad!)
Now, I am not for your amusement
I am not a toy, you're nothing but trouble!
Ooh you're a bad bad boy! (Amour du jour)
I am a tasty starter around a full course meal
Desert after dinner drink, and you can have your fill
Pardon my French
Tu ne causes que des ennuis
Tu es un mauvais garçon
Any questions? (Haha)
Oh my French is awful but my love is awesome
(Haha) Ooh, they're gonna laugh at me in France
Sorry (Hahaha)
The song "Lover du Jour" by Dolly Parton is a strong feminist track that empowers women to not be reduced to mere objects for men's pleasure. The lyrics are aimed at a man who is trying to pursue her as just a temporary fling, a "lover du jour." Parton tells him that his looks and charm won't work on her, and that she knows he's just looking for a temporary thrill.
The chorus, with its repetition of "No, I'm not gonna be your, be your lover du jour," is a rejection of this type of limited, disposable relationship. She compares herself to a full course meal, rather than a temporary appetizer, and refuses to let herself be reduced to a cheap thrill.
The song is an amazing example of Dolly's vocal range and her ability to put together a sassy and punchy track that still has a strong message. The music video shows her dressed in a French maid costume, taking on the stereotypical image of women as sexual objects.
Line by Line Meaning
What are you looking at, lover boy?
The singer is questioning the intentions of the person she is addressing.
It won't do you any good,
'Cause I know your kind!
She is aware of the person's reputation and is not interested.
If you wanna be mine,
We gotta get this understood!
She only wants a meaningful relationship and requires mutual understanding.
Oh, I'm not gonna be your, be your lover du jour
Your special of the day, no way, I'll do farewell, bonjour
Pardon my French, but there's no chance in hell for you, for sure
If you think that I will be your, be your lover du jour
Pas moi (Lover du jour), not me!
The singer is not interested in a short-term, casual relationship and will not entertain the idea.
I am well aware of your good looks and sexy ways
Serving up yourself to girls to satisfy your taste
The fresh catch of the day, on your Romeo buffet
Served up hot and ready, just having it your way
She knows the person's behavior and is not impressed with it.
Well, if I'm on the menu, you'd better get this straight
Me and you had better come to terms before you grab your plate
Don't even place your order if you believe that I
I'm just some cheesy little dish, just another chickie pie
She makes it clear that she is not a casual opportunity and requires respect and mutual understanding.
Still looking, lover boy?
Have you changed your view?
I told you once, I'll say it again
I'll take no merde from you! (That's crap!)
She repeats that she has no interest in someone who does not value her or a serious relationship.
If you want something appetizing
Something real and satisfying
I'll be worth a second look, but that's the only way!
She hints that she is open to a meaningful relationship if the person is truly interested.
'Cause, I'm not gonna be your, be your amour du jour
Your playmate of the day, no way, I'll do farewell, bonjour
'Cause I won't be caught up in all your charm and your allure
No, I'm not gonna be your, be your lover du jour!
She repeats that she is not interested in a short-term, casual relationship.
No, I'm not gonna be your, be your lover du jour!
The special of the day, no way, I'll do farewell, bonjour!
Pardon my French, but there's no chance in hell that I'll endure
The fact that I would only be your lover du jour
No, I'm not gonna be your, be your lover du jour!
Your lover du jour!
Hm hm hm c'est dommage (Too bad!)
She clearly states that she is not going to be a casual partner and is not interested in someone who only wants a short-term relationship.
Now, I am not for your amusement
I am not a toy, you're nothing but trouble!
Ooh you're a bad bad boy! (Amour du jour)
I am a tasty starter around a full course meal
Desert after dinner drink, and you can have your fill
She emphasizes that she is not somebody to be toyed with or treated casually- she is an entire package that deserves respect and a lasting commitment.
Pardon my French
Tu ne causes que des ennuis
Tu es un mauvais garçon
Any questions? (Haha)
Oh my French is awful but my love is awesome
(Haha) Ooh, they're gonna laugh at me in France
Sorry (Hahaha)
She apologies for her bad French and humorously acknowledges her desire for lasting love
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@melissalavonchadwick4203
I love the way dolly is singing the song she's very outspoken and she's singing this song and I love it is awesome love always Melissa
@celinefaucher3771
No dolly we love you here in France ❤️❤️
@trr5291
Dolly just keeps getting better and better.
@melissalavonchadwick4203
I like the way Dolly sings this song it talks about relationships but it tells you to speak up for yourself as well dolly is very cool and outspoken like me that's awesome 👍 love always Melissa
@melissalavonchadwick4203
I'm sitting in my room I'm listening to the song that dolly is singing it's amazing and she talks French in it that's awesome it's like a twist it's amazing and I'm smiling love always Melissa
@melissalavonchadwick4203
I like the way Dolly sings in this song about sometimes you just have to take things the way they are and go with your heart dolly is awesome and cool and the best love always Melissa
@melissalavonchadwick4203
I love the song that Dolly singing cuz she's talking about being outspoken and and telling it like it is through the song she's amazing and awesome and cool love always Melissa
@georgiamay7965
I don't just like this song I LOVE IT!!!!! I'm a huge fan of Dolly Parton and so is my brother. When we heard that she had a new album out words cannot describe how excited we were. This was the first song that I learnt from 'Blue Smoke' and I wouldn't have this song any other way x
@missychadwick2840
❤❤❤❤❤❤ Sometimes you have suggests not feed into other people basically me I haven’t been in a lot of relationships Ashley none at all I got more grown-up to do before I get to that point but the same time I am enjoying this song that Dolly is singing she is amazing ❤❤ Love always Melissa❤
@melissachadwick4385
I like this song is cool 😎 sometimes you just have to stand up for yourself and not take but for yourself and speaking up for yourself as well I think that's what Dolly sings in the song is very awesome and cool she's amazing anyways love you Dolly love always Melissa