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
Olive Branch
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And yet so little's said
We're all so out of touch
It's hard to move ahead
We're all so self-absorbed
We don't know how to be
We need a leaf, a sprig
Or twig from that great living tree
We all need an olive branch
We all need a second chance
In this world of happenstance
We all need an olive branch
Let's make the most of life
Add to it what we can
Do more than just survive
Reach out and take command
Be willing to forgive ourselves
And others too
And love thy neighbor as thyself
God loves us when we do
We all need an olive branch
We all need a second chance
In this world of happenstance
We all need an olive branch
A little help from up above
A little push, a little shove
Heavens knows we need to love
Grab that branch He's handing us
'Cause we all need an olive branch
We all need a second chance
In this world of happenstance
We all need an olive branch
Oh, we all need an olive branch
And we deserve another glance
Another glance of sweet romance
Oh, we all need an olive branch
We all need an olive branch
We deserve a second chance
In this world of happenstance we all need
Oh, we all need an olive branch
An olive branch
The song "Olive Branch" by Dolly Parton touches on the theme of human disconnect and the need for forgiveness, love, and second chances. The lyrics convey a sense of disillusionment with modern society, where people talk but rarely communicate meaningfully. Parton suggests that the key to bridging this gap lies in finding unity and solace in nature's wisdom, symbolized by the olive branch.
The opening lines emphasize how much is left unsaid despite the constant chatter, showcasing the lack of genuine connection between individuals. Parton suggests that this disconnect makes it difficult for society to progress. She alludes to the self-absorption rampant in contemporary culture, highlighting the need for a small reminder from the beauty and wisdom of nature – represented by the leaf, sprig, or twig from the "great living tree," which is likely an allusion to the olive tree.
The chorus emphasizes the universal longing for an olive branch, which doubles as a metaphor for a second chance. Parton suggests that amidst the unpredictability of life, everyone deserves another opportunity to make amends, grow, and find redemption. She encourages listeners to seize the present moment, not just surviving but actively shaping their lives, while also learning to forgive themselves and others. Ultimately, the song suggests that by embracing love and empathy, we can find the peace and connection we seek.
Line by Line Meaning
People talk too much
People often speak excessively without conveying meaningful or valuable information
And yet so little's said
Despite the abundance of words, very little meaningful communication takes place
We're all so out of touch
There is a lack of connection and understanding between individuals
It's hard to move ahead
The lack of connection and understanding makes it difficult to make progress in life
We're all so self-absorbed
People are overly focused on themselves and their own interests
We don't know how to be
There is a lack of knowledge or understanding about how to live or behave
We need a leaf, a sprig
We require something small, a symbol of growth and renewal
Or twig from that great living tree
Or a small part of a larger source of life and wisdom
We all need an olive branch
Everyone requires a symbol of peace and reconciliation
We all need a second chance
Each person deserves an opportunity to start anew or make amends
In this world of happenstance
In a world where events occur by chance or coincidence
Let's make the most of life
Let us maximize our experiences and opportunities in life
Add to it what we can
Contribute and enhance our lives with our own efforts
Do more than just survive
Strive for more than mere existence
Reach out and take command
Actively engage and take control of our own destinies
Be willing to forgive ourselves
Have the readiness to pardon our own mistakes and shortcomings
And others too
And extend that forgiveness to others as well
And love thy neighbor as thyself
Show love and compassion towards others, treating them as we would like to be treated
God loves us when we do
When we demonstrate love and forgiveness, we receive love from a higher power
A little help from up above
Assistance or guidance from a higher spiritual force
A little push, a little shove
Some encouragement or gentle pressure to move forward
Heavens knows we need to love
It is clear and understood that we must love
Grab that branch He's handing us
Seize the opportunity or offering of peace and reconciliation provided by a divine presence
And we deserve another glance
We are worthy of another chance or consideration
Another glance of sweet romance
Another opportunity for a delightful and meaningful connection
An olive branch
A symbol of peace and reconciliation
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oresictihana
✨😇✨ beautifull words soul speak throw this song 🤫awe
@lindaburns5817
Beautifully done and lovely Dolly!!! Thank you, 🕊♥️🎶🎤🎸🎼🎵😁💋⚘🙂🌹🦋
@lindaburns5817
Thank you! 🌹🙏🎼♥️🦋
@dottiewestremembered7035
This bonus Dolly track, what edition of Dolly's "Blue Smoke" CD did this appear on? Hope you can help.
@DollyParton1946
The Walmart edition!
@dottiewestremembered7035
@DollyParton1946 Thank you.