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
Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I use to take comfort from long before I met you
I caught a spark from his eyes of forgotten desire
With a word, or a touch, I could have rekindled that fire
Old flames can't hold a candle to you
No one can light up the night like you do
Flickering embers of love
But old flames can't hold a candle to you
Sometimes at night, I think of old lovers I've known
I remember how holding them helped me not feel so alone
Then I feel you beside me and even their memories are gone
Like stars in the night lost in the sweet light of dawn
Old flames can't hold a candle to you
No one can light up the night like you do
Flickering embers of love
I've known one or two
But old flames can't hold a candle to you
Old flames can't hold a candle to you
Mmmm
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's "Old Flames Can't Hold a Candle to You" explore the idea that, while the singer may encounter old flames and former lovers from her past, none of them can compare to her current love. She sees an old friend in downtown and feels a spark of desire, but she quickly realizes that this person cannot compare to the love she has with her current partner. She acknowledges that she has known one or two other flickering embers of love, but ultimately they cannot hold a candle to the person she is now with.
The song is a reflection on the power of lasting love and the way it can outshine all other experiences. The singer speaks of feeling alone in the past and turning to former lovers for comfort, but ultimately she realizes that she is far happier and more fulfilled with the person she is currently with. The song is a tribute to the strength and beauty of long-lasting relationships, even in the face of temptation and old memories.
Line by Line Meaning
Downtown tonight, I saw an old friend, someone who
While I was out in the town tonight, I bumped into an old friend, somebody who I used to rely on for emotional comfort before you came into my life.
I use to take comfort from long before I met you
I had depended on this friend for emotional solace well before I had met you.
I caught a spark from his eyes of forgotten desire
I sensed a hint of desire in his gaze that had been long forgotten.
With a word, or a touch, I could have rekindled that fire
A single word, or even a simple touch, could have ignited that love we used to feel for each other.
Old flames can't hold a candle to you
However, out of all the people I have loved in the past, your love still shines the brightest and remains incomparable.
No one can light up the night like you do
You have a unique ability to brighten up my life like no one else can.
Flickering embers of love
The love I have had for others in the past may flicker, but with you, it remains a constant flame that burns bright.
I've known one or two
I have loved and been loved by some people before, but none of them hold a candle to you.
Sometimes at night, I think of old lovers I've known
Occasionally at night, I reminisce about the people from my past who I have loved.
I remember how holding them helped me not feel so alone
I recall how just holding them made me feel less lonely and needed.
Then I feel you beside me and even their memories are gone
But, when I am with you, even the memories of them fade away completely.
Like stars in the night lost in the sweet light of dawn
Those memories fade away just like stars in the night fade away when dawn breaks into sweet light.
Old flames can't hold a candle to you
Even though there have been people I have loved in the past, none of them can compare to the love I have for you.
Mmmm
This is just a hum for the melody in the song.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hugh Moffatt, Rosemary Patricia Sebert
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jonah's Media
Songwriters: Hugh Moffatt / Pebe Sebert
Old Flames (Can't Hold A Candle To You) lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc, BMG Rights Management
>>Old Flames (Can't Hold A Candle To You) Dolly Parton
Downtown tonight, I saw an old friend, someone who
I use to take comfort from long before I met you
I caught a spark from his eyes of forgotten desire
With a word, or a touch, I could have rekindled that fire
Old flames can't hold a candle to you
No one can light up the night like you do
Flickering embers of love
I've known one or two
But old flames can't hold a candle to you
Sometimes at night, I think of old lovers I've known
I remember how holding them helped me not feel so alone
Then I feel you beside me and even their memories are gone
Like stars in the night lost in the sweet light of dawn
Old flames can't hold a candle to you
No one can light up the night like you do
Flickering embers of love
I've known one or two
But old flames can't hold a candle to you
Old flames can't hold a candle to you
Mmmm
tony delgobbo
God Bless her brother who just passed from cancer. Brought me here to share this pretty song from them both.
Chadsida Churchwell
I’m here for the same reason , I am praying for Dolly And her entire family , May God comfort them during this most difficult time
Tee Naidoo
It's so sad.. RIP.. Randy.. 🙏🤗♥️
Theresa Waddell
RIP Randy! 😢
Gary Loyer
Same here.. Rip
Peter Mungai
Rip
H Evans
Beautiful, timeless classic. This lady’s talent will endure forever.
Frank van den Muijsenberg
Amazing song. One of the most romantic songs ever written.
Ben Craft
This woman is amazing.she is loved worldwide . Her talent is unmatched, and she is truly a remarkable person.ive followed her career since back with porter. She’s written hundreds of songs, sung hundreds more, and every one is terrific. Love you, dolly!
Zac McNulty
Kesha’s mum Pebbe Serbert wrote this song.