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
Say Goodnight
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The lights have gone out, the sun is coming on
We've been standing here for hours watching the river flow
You walked into my life tonight but if you've got to go
Say goodnight while there's still a star to wish on
Say goodnight while the moon is still in your eyes
Let me touch your smile and hold you for a while
I've been saving all my secrets, spending my time alone
I've given up on the life I used to know
I've been waiting for one person to love me like a friend
You walked into my life tonight but if it's got to end
Say goodnight while there's still a star to wish on
Say goodnight while the moon is still in your eyes
Let me touch your smile and hold you for a while
Then say goodnight but never say goodbye
Oh, it's easy now to tell you how I'm dreaming 'bout tomorrow
Cause you'll be there to share that dream with me
But now it's time to close your eyes put this night away
And keep it safe, a perfect memory
Say goodnight while there's still a star to wish on
Say goodnight while the moon is still in your eyes
Let me touch your smile and hold you for a while
Then say goodnight but never say goodbye
Oh, oh, oh
Let me touch your smile and hold you for a little while
Then say goodnight but never say goodbye
Say goodnight while there's still a star to wish on
Say goodnight while the moon is still in your eyes
Let me touch your smile and hold you for a while
Then say goodnight but don't you say goodbye
Say goodnight while there's still a star to wish on
Say goodnight while the moon is still in your eyes
Let me touch your smile and hold you for a while
The lyrics of Dolly Parton's song "Say Goodnight" tell the story of two people enjoying a magical night together, but aware that it might be their only one. The opening lines describe the feeling of waiting around until dawn, watching the world pass by, and setting the scene for a tender moment. The chorus, repeated throughout the song, urges the other person to say goodnight before they have to part ways. But crucially, it's not "goodbye," because they want to hold on to this moment as long as possible. The song is about the magic of the moment and the value of cherishing it, even when you know it's only temporary.
The second verse reveals that the singer has been waiting for someone to come into her life and love her like a friend. The lyrics describe her loneliness and solitude, but also her hope that this person could be the one to share her life with. By the song's end, she's already dreaming about tomorrow with this person and wanting to keep the memory of their perfect night safe. The lyrics are poignant and beautifully written, conveying the sense of intimacy and tenderness that two people can share, even when they know their time together might be short.
Overall, "Say Goodnight" is a romantic and bittersweet song about the fleeting nature of love and human connection. It highlights the importance of treasuring every moment we have with the people we care about, even if we know they can't last forever.
Line by Line Meaning
The city streets are empty, it's beginning to feel like dawn
The city is quiet and peaceful, and it seems as though the night has come to an end.
The lights have gone out, the sun is coming on
The artificial lights that helped the night remain bright have faded away, and the sun is beginning to rise.
We've been standing here for hours watching the river flow
The singer, with their love interest, has been watching the river for a long time.
You walked into my life tonight but if you've got to go
The artist and their love interest met recently, but their time together may be short.
Say goodnight while there's still a star to wish on
End this night on a positive note while there's still hope for future wishes.
Say goodnight while the moon is still in your eyes
Say goodnight before the moon and its beauty disappears.
Let me touch your smile and hold you for a while
The singer wants to be close to their love interest for a little longer.
Then say goodnight but never say goodbye
End things for the night but imply that there may be more to come.
I've been saving all my secrets, spending my time alone
The artist has been keeping to themselves and has been holding onto their secrets.
I've given up on the life I used to know
The artist has moved on from their past and is looking for a new life.
I've been waiting for one person to love me like a friend
The singer has been longing for someone to love them as they are, without any pretenses.
Oh, it's easy now to tell you how I'm dreaming 'bout tomorrow
The artist is now comfortable expressing their aspirations for the future to their love interest.
Cause you'll be there to share that dream with me
The singer is hopeful that their love interest will be a part of their future.
But now it's time to close your eyes put this night away
It's time to wrap up this night and move on to a new day.
And keep it safe, a perfect memory
The night and the moments shared need to be cherished as a happy memory.
Say goodnight but don't you say goodbye
End things for the night, but don't let it be a complete goodbye.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: GARY PORTNOY, SUE SHERIDAN
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.