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
Red White and Bluegrass
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
As proud as punch and peacocks, you know I am, I am
An All-American girl what knows good music and good times
Red, white and bluegrass, I'm not color blind
Red, white and bluegrass... Red, white and blue
These are my true colors and I love my bluegrass, too
America, America, let pride and freedom ring
Where else but in America can people live so free
And I'm proud of every soldier that has stood and fought for me
And I'm proud of every bluegrass band that's ever picked a lick
And I'm proud to be American, that's why I'm a singin' this
Red, white and bluegrass... Red, white and blue
These are my true colors, and I love my bluegrass, too
America, America, let pride and freedom ring
Red, white and bluegrass, let's all stand up and sing, and pick
Red, white and blue, I love my bluegrass, too
Red, white and bluegrass, don't you love it, too?
Red, white and bluegrass... Red, white and blue
These are my true colors and I love my bluegrass, too
America, America, let pride and freedom ring
Red, white and bluegrass, let's all stand up and sing
Red, white and bluegrass, the red and white and blue ooh-ooh-ooh
Blue, ooh-ooh-ooh, red, white and blue
Red, white and bluegrass, red and white and blue
Red, white and bluegrass, red and white and blue
Red, white and bluegrass, don't you love it, too?
Red, white and bluegrass, let freedom ring
Red, white and bluegrass, everybody pick and sing
Red, white and bluegrass, red, white and blue
Red, white and blue ooh-ooh-ooh
Red, white and blue
The song "Red, White and Bluegrass" by Dolly Parton is a patriotic tribute to America and bluegrass music. The song praises the American way of life and the freedom that comes with it. The lyrics reflect a deep love for the country, its traditions, and the music that has been a part of its heritage for centuries. Parton sings "Red, white and bluegrass, I'm not colorblind," emphasizing her love for bluegrass music, which is a part of her Southern heritage. She further praises the beauty of the American flag and its colors by singing "Red, white and blue, these are my true colors."
The song is also a tribute to the soldiers who have fought for America's freedom. Parton expresses her gratitude towards these soldiers and praises their bravery in protecting American values. She sings, "Where else but in America can people live so free, and I'm proud of every soldier that has stood and fought for me."
Overall, the song is a heartfelt tribute to America, its people, and its heritage. It celebrates the freedom, patriotism, and the unique cultural identity of the country.
Line by Line Meaning
As American as apple pie, Mom and homemade jam
I am proud to be an all-American girl who can enjoy the traditional things that Americans love such as apple pie and homemade jam.
As proud as punch and peacocks, you know I am, I am
I am very proud of who I am as an American and I love to show it.
An All-American girl what knows good music and good times
As an American girl, I appreciate good music and good times that come with it.
Red, white and bluegrass, I'm not color blind
I love my country and its music, and I am not color blind to the red, white, and blue that symbolizes my nation.
These are my true colors and I love my bluegrass, too
The colors red, white, and blue are my true colors, and I love bluegrass music just as much as I love my country.
America, America, let pride and freedom ring
I want America to be proud of itself and for its freedom to be celebrated and acknowledged.
Let's all stand up and sing, and pick
Let's all celebrate our country by standing up, singing, and playing the music that brings us together.
Where else but in America can people live so free
America is unique in the way that its citizens can live their lives freely without fear of oppression, which is something to be proud of.
And I'm proud of every soldier that has stood and fought for me
As an American, I am grateful to every soldier who has fought for my freedom and to protect my country.
And I'm proud of every bluegrass band that's ever picked a lick
I also appreciate the contribution of every bluegrass band that has contributed to the unique cultural heritage of my country.
And I'm proud to be American, that's why I'm a singin' this
Being an American is something to be proud of, and it is the reason why I am singing this song.
Red, white and bluegrass, don't you love it, too?
Do you also love our country's national colors and bluegrass music as much as I do?
Red, white and bluegrass, let freedom ring
Let's celebrate our country's freedom by continuing to make music that reflects our culture and heritage.
Red, white and bluegrass, everybody pick and sing
Let everyone sing and play music that reflects the red, white, and blue of our country.
Contributed by Thomas W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Donovan Edwards
True talent! I love this song! Love Bluegrass.
Harry G
MRS. Parton. I've said this before and I will say it again. This Album has gotten me through a many combat tours. I am so sorry I missed you at your park. But I did enjoy it, and I look forward to my next visit. Ma'am We save this for our Marines. But I say Semper Fidelis and thank you.
Adrian Wick
EXCELSIOR 🎶❤️🌹🇺🇲🗽
E C
💃♥️🇺🇸
annerozes7
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