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
Mama Say a Prayer
Dolly Parton Lyrics
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The bright lights of the city are a pretty site to see
Perhaps they're extra pretty to a country girl like me
Temptation waits at every turn and it won't let me be
So mama when you pray tonight
Say a special prayer for me
I miss your tender good-night kiss of love and understanding
So mama when you pray tonight
And while you're on your knees
Mama say a special prayer for me
The nights get cold and lonely
When you're faraway from home
And lonely makes it easy for a good girl to go wrong
Evil eyes search through the night for lonely girls like me
So mama when you pray tonight
Say a special prayer for me
I miss your tender good-night kiss of love and understanding
These good-night kisses I get now are cruel and so demanding
So mama when you pray tonight
And while you're on your knees
Mama say a special prayer for me
The song "Mama Say a Prayer" by Dolly Parton is a poignant and heartfelt expression of the struggles faced by a young woman who leaves her quiet country life to pursue a career in the city. The lyrics convey a deep longing for the love and support of her mother, who is seen as a source of guidance and strength in the midst of the temptations and challenges of city life. The singer describes the bright lights of the city as a pretty sight to see, but also acknowledges the dangers and temptations that lurk around every corner.
The theme of temptation and the struggle to resist it is a prominent one in the song, as the singer describes how easy it is for a good girl to go wrong when she is far away from home and feeling lonely. The lyrics suggest that the singer is aware of the dangers of the city, but feels vulnerable and alone in the face of them. This vulnerability is contrasted with the sense of security and love that she associates with her mother's prayers, which are seen as a protective shield against the forces of evil that threaten to pull her away from her values and beliefs.
Overall, "Mama Say a Prayer" is a moving and evocative song that speaks to the universal human experience of longing for love, guidance, and support in difficult times. It is a testament to the enduring power of the mother-child bond, and a tribute to the strength and resilience of women in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
The bright lights of the city are a pretty site to see
The bustling city is an attractive sight, especially for someone who comes from the countryside
Perhaps they're extra pretty to a country girl like me
Maybe the city lights are more pleasant to a girl who's used to the tranquil countryside
Temptation waits at every turn and it won't let me be
The city is full of alluring temptation that's hard to resist
So mama when you pray tonight
When you kneel down to pray today, mother,
Say a special prayer for me
Please pray for me with a special intention in mind
I miss your tender good-night kiss of love and understanding
I remember the affectionate kiss you'd give me before bed, which was full of love and comprehension
The good-night kisses I get now are cruel and so demanding
The kisses I receive now are harsh and forceful, making me uncomfortable
And while you're on your knees
While you're still praying
The nights get cold and lonely
The evenings become cold and lonesome
When you're faraway from home
When you're away and not around familiar surroundings
And lonely makes it easy for a good girl to go wrong
When feeling lonely and isolated, it's simpler for a virtuous girl to make mistakes
Evil eyes search through the night for lonely girls like me
Sinister individuals look for vulnerable girls, like me, during the night
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.