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
Speakin' Of The Devil
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's got a way of talkin'
A way to fascinate me all the time
And he's got a way with women
A way to keep my head a swimmin'
He's got away too many times
Chorus:
Well, here he comes now
Lookin' like an angel
Got my defenses down
He's got me dreamin'
Got me schemin'
Ooh, speakin' of the devil
He is drivin' me wild
With that wicked little grin
And that fire in his eyes
He's got me dreamin'
Got me steamin'
Ooh, speakin' of the devil
It feels mighty close to heaven
And I'd go through hell to make him mine
He's got his spell upon me
Got to be his one and only
Burning with passion and desire
Ooh, I'm caught up in all his magic
It surely would be tragic
To never share the heat
From all this fire
Repeat chorus twice
Speakin' of the devil
Speakin' of the devil
I'd go through hell to make him mine
In Dolly Parton's song "Speakin' Of The Devil," she speaks about a man who has a way of walking and talking that fascinates her all the time. He is also very good with women and has a way of keeping her head swimming. Despite him getting away from her too many times, she still finds herself attracted to him, and he has her dreaming and scheming. When he appears before her, he looks like an angel, and she lets her defenses down. He makes her feel like she's closer to heaven, and she's willing to go through hell to make him hers.
Dolly Parton's lyrics in this song portray the idea that some people have a certain charisma that's hard to resist, even if it may not always be good for us. The man she's singing about seems to have a power over her that she can't ignore, even though he keeps getting away from her. The song suggests that there's a fine line between the pleasure and pain that such a relationship can bring, and Dolly Parton implies that for her, it's worth the suffering to be with this man.
Line by Line Meaning
He's got a way of walkin'
He has a unique style of walking that sets him apart from others.
He's got a way of talkin'
His distinctive way of talking is captivating and stands out.
A way to fascinate me all the time
His charm never fails to captivate and intrigue me.
And he's got a way with women
He has the ability to attract and appeal to women.
A way to keep my head a swimmin'
His irresistible qualities always keep me mesmerized and lost in thought.
He's got away too many times
He has previously managed to escape and leave without being caught.
Ooh, speakin' of the devil
Wow, talking about him coincidentally brings him into the picture.
Well, here he comes now
He is approaching or arriving at the scene.
Lookin' like an angel
He appears to be charming and innocent, like an angel.
Got my defenses down
He manages to lower my guard and leave me vulnerable.
He's got me dreamin'
He has brought me to a state of dreaming or fantasizing.
Got me schemin'
He has made me secretly plan or scheme to win him over.
He is drivin' me wild
He is clouding my mind and making me feel crazy with desire and passion.
With that wicked little grin
His mischievous smile is alluring and attractive.
And that fire in his eyes
His intense gaze reflects the passion and energy he possesses.
Got me steamin'
He has raised my temperature and has made me feel aroused.
It feels mighty close to heaven
Being with him or thinking of being with him makes me feel like I am in a heavenly state.
And I'd go through hell to make him mine
I am willing to go through any difficulty or hardship to win his affection.
He's got his spell upon me
He has cast a spell that has entranced and enchanted me.
Got to be his one and only
I want to be the only person he desires and loves.
Burning with passion and desire
I am consumed with strong emotions of attraction and longing.
I'm caught up in all his magic
I am fascinated and captivated by all his charming qualities and characteristics.
It surely would be tragic
It would be incredibly sad and unfortunate to not experience the love and passion he has to offer.
To never share the heat
Not being able to experience the passion and intensity between us would be regrettable.
From all this fire
The passion and intensity we feel for each other is fiery and intense.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DOLLY PARTON
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.