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
Marry Me
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fine as he can be
I met him at the big barn dance
And he took a shine to me
Sky-blue eyes, a big wide smile
And tall as a sycamore tree
He's real smart with a real big heart
And he's gonna marry me
And we're gonna go to town
We're gonna buy some real good car
And we're gonna drive around
We'll hold hands an' touch 'n' hug
He talks so sweet to me
'Cause he knows a lot about love and stuff
And he's gonna marry me
His momma don't like me one little bit
But you know I don't care
Let her pitch her hissy-fit
'Cause I ain't a'marryin' her
He's always been a momma's boy
It's just plain jealousy
She's as mad as an old red hen
'Cause he's gonna marry me
Oh, an' he's gonna marry me
An' he's gonna buy me a ring
We're gonna be so free
Cut momma's aprin strings
He's gonna build me a pretty little house
Have a pretty little made-for-three
'Cause he done kiss me on the mouth
An' he's gonna marry me
Yeah, he's gonna marry me
He's gonna buy me a ring
We're gonna be so free
Cut momma's aprin strings
He's gonna build me a pretty little house
Have a pretty little made-for-three
'Cause he's done kiss me on the mouth
So he's gotta marry me
Yeah he's done kiss me on the mouth
And he's gonna marry me
Yodel-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de
The song "Marry Me" by Dolly Parton is a feel-good country ballad that tells the story of a young couple in love. It starts by describing how she met a boy at a barn dance and how he took a liking to her. She goes on to describe his physical attributes - his sky-blue eyes, big smile, and tall stature. She also mentions that he is smart with a big heart, which implies that he is a good catch.
The second verse delves into the tension between the singer and her future mother-in-law. She states that his mother doesn't like her, but it doesn't bother her because she's not marrying her. She acknowledges that he's always been a mama's boy, which may explain the mother's disapproval. However, the singer sees her as jealous of their relationship.
The final verse talks about their plans for the future, including buying a car, building a house, and cutting apron strings. It ends with the assurance that he's already kissed her on the mouth, making it clear that he has to marry her now.
Overall, the song is a charming portrayal of young love and the obstacles that the couple must overcome to be together. The lyrics are straightforward and easy to understand, which makes it a perfect song for a singalong.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I met a boy from Grassy Branch
I met a man from a rural town called Grassy Branch
Fine as he can be
He is very attractive
I met him at the big barn dance
We met each other at a big dance hall in a barn
And he took a shine to me
He was immediately interested in me
Sky-blue eyes, a big wide smile
He has beautiful blue eyes and a great smile
And tall as a sycamore tree
He is very tall
He's real smart with a real big heart
He is intelligent and has a kind heart
And he's gonna marry me
He has proposed to me and we are getting married
He's gonna marry me
We are definitely getting married
And we're gonna go to town
We will go to the city together
We're gonna buy some real good car
We will purchase a good quality car
And we're gonna drive around
We will go for drives together
We'll hold hands an' touch 'n' hug
We will express our affection for each other through physical touch
He talks so sweet to me
He speaks to me in a kind, loving manner
'Cause he knows a lot about love and stuff
He has a good understanding of love and relationships
And he's gonna marry me
He has proposed and we are getting married
His momma don't like me one little bit
His mother disapproves of me
But you know I don't care
I am unconcerned with her opinion
Let her pitch her hissy-fit
Let her throw a tantrum
'Cause I ain't a'marryin' her
I am marrying him, not her
He's always been a momma's boy
He has had a close relationship with his mother all his life
It's just plain jealousy
She is jealous of our relationship
She's as mad as an old red hen
She is very angry
'Cause he's gonna marry me
She is angry because he chose to marry me
Oh, an' he's gonna marry me
We are definitely getting married
An' he's gonna buy me a ring
He will purchase a ring for me
We're gonna be so free
We will have freedom in our relationship
Cut momma's aprin strings
We will break away from his mother's control
He's gonna build me a pretty little house
He will construct a lovely home for us
Have a pretty little made-for-three
It will be perfect for the two of us and a future child
'Cause he done kiss me on the mouth
Because we have shared a passionate kiss
An' he's gonna marry me
We are definitely getting married
Yeah he's done kiss me on the mouth
We have shared a passionate kiss
And he's gonna marry me
We are definitely getting married
Yodel-de-de-de-de-de-de-de-de
This is a yodeling refrain and does not have a specific meaning
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Barbara Novak
Well, I met a boy from Grassy Branch
Fine as he can be
I met him at the big barn dance
And he took a shine to me
Sky-blue eyes, a big wide smile
And tall as a sicamore tree
He's real smart with a real big heart
And he's gonna marry me
He's gonna marry me
And we're gonna go to town
We're gonna buy some real good car
And we're gonna drive around
We'll hold hands an' touch 'n' hug
He talks so sweet to me
'Cause he knows a lot about love and stuff
And he's gonna marry me
His momma don't like me one little bit
But you know I don't care
Let her pitch her hissy-fit
'Cause I ain't a'marryin' her
He's always been a momma's boy
It's just plain jealousy
She's as mad as an old red hen
'Cause he's gonna marry me
Oh, an' he's gonna marry me
An' he's gonna buy me a ring
We're gonna be so free
Cut momma's aprin strings
He's gonna build me a pretty little house
Have a pretty little made-for-three
'Cause he's done kiss me on the mouth
So he's gonna marry me
Yeah, he's gonna marry me
He's gonna buy me a ring
We're gonna be so free
Cut momma's aprin strings
He's gonna build me a pretty little house
Have a pretty little made-for-three
'Cause he's done kiss me on the mouth
So he's gotta marry me
Yeah, he's done kiss me on the mouth
And he's gonna marry me
.
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Dolly Parton
Marry Me lyrics © Velvet Apple Music, Velvet Apple Music (sub)
monica tortora
I just heard this song for the first time in the movie "Sweet Home Alabama". I love it
Our Cabin Life Appalachia
Same!
Jeannie
Me too!!
ukdrummergirl
And me :)
Brianna Rogers
Dolly Parton wow I didn't know you actually got on here and conversed eith your fans. Thank you for your imagination library. My nephew loves them!
Our Cabin Life Appalachia
Dolly Parton I’m from Ky. Your neighboring state. 🥰
teriw56
Dolly you are anointed. Blessings to everything you do.
dollyparton570 @ gmail
Thanks for your love and support towards me on my page I really appreciate you and can’t thank you enough. Write me with the address above so we can have more conversations about my music❤ xoxoxoxo
Waylon
I love this song! Dolly is a absolute living legend!
dollyparton570 @ gmail
Thanks for your love and support towards me on my page I really appreciate you and can’t thank you enough. Write me with the address above so we can have more conversations about my music❤ xoxoxoxo