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
The Seeker
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A poor sinful creature
There is no weaker than I am
I am a seeker
You are a teacher
You are a reacher
So reach down
Guide me and keep me
In the shelter of Your care each day
'Cause I am a seeker
You are a keeper
You are the leader
Won't You show me the way
I am a vessel that's empty and useless
I am a bad seed that fell by the way
I am a loser that wants to be a winner
And You are my last hope
Don't turn me away
I am a seeker
A poor sinful creature
There is no weaker than I am
I am a seeker
You are a teacher
You are a reacher
So reach down
Won't You reach out and lead me
Guide me and keep me, lord
In the shelter of Your care each day
'Cause I am a seeker
You are a keeper
You are the leader
Won't You show me the way
Oh, I know, You are a mountain
From which there flows a fountain
So let its water wash my sins away, mm
Well, I am a seeker
You are a keeper
You are the leader
Won't You show me the way, mm
"The Seeker" by Dolly Parton is a humble and heartfelt prayer from an individual in a moment of spiritual questioning and emptiness. The lyrics capture the singer's sense of unworthiness and powerlessness as they identify themselves as a "poor sinful creature" and "a vessel that's empty and useless." They turn to a higher power, positioned as a "teacher" and "keeper" who they trust will guide and lead them towards the right path. The singer's vulnerability and yearning to receive help, guidance, and direction are further evident in lines like "you are my last hope, Don't turn me away" and "won't you show me the way."
The song is a poignant and authentic expression of the human condition and our inherent need for something beyond ourselves to give us hope, direction and relief from our struggles. It's a powerful reminder that there is no shame in seeking help and guidance from those we trust.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a seeker
I am searching for guidance and direction in life.
A poor sinful creature
I am aware of my shortcomings and limitations as a human being.
There is no weaker than I am
I am vulnerable and in need of help.
You are a teacher
You have the knowledge and experience to guide me towards the right path.
You are a reacher
You can extend your hand to help me out of my current situation.
So reach down
Please extend your help to me.
Won't You reach out and lead me
Please take charge and show me the way forward.
Guide me and keep me
Provide me with ongoing support and guidance.
In the shelter of Your care each day
Provide protection and comfort to me on a daily basis.
'Cause I am a seeker
I am still searching for answers and direction.
You are a keeper
You will safeguard me against harm.
You are the leader
You will take charge and guide me in the right direction.
Won't You show me the way
Please provide me with direction and guidance.
I am a vessel that's empty and useless
I feel empty and without purpose.
I am a bad seed that fell by the way
I have made mistakes and gone astray.
I am a loser that wants to be a winner
I feel like I am failing and want to turn my life around.
And You are my last hope
I am relying on you to help me.
Don't turn me away
Please do not reject me or abandon me.
Oh, I know, You are a mountain
You are a force to be reckoned with.
From which there flows a fountain
You have a wealth of knowledge and wisdom to share.
So let its water wash my sins away, mm
Let me be cleansed of my wrongdoings and mistakes.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@carolmooney822
What a voice Dolly, you are amazing.
@francisbarkasau6731
Long life dolly, God uses your gift to bless his people.
@robertasolomon7052
That. Song. IS. Beatfull
@lennybuttz2162
I was 15 when this song first came out, almost 50 years later and it still sends chills down my spine.
@pedrofernando2494
Lady You are a Blessing 😇 thank you Dolly Parton your Music continues to fill up our lives with Joy and Inspiration ..God bless you 🙏🎶🎙️
@jaredmatthews252
The Mantooth boys from sevierville are sending you Love girl. Go Dolly!
@amiewil7484
Beautiful Dolly ♥️
@kobdal6527
Wow Dolly this gets more amazing every time
@kimkrause8590
That song still sends chills down my spine wow Dolly this gets more amazing every time Love This Great song AMEN Hallelujah 🙏🏼❤️ Lady You are a Blessing 😇 thank you Dolly Parton Your Music continues to fill up our lives with Joy and inspiration God Bless you 🙏🏼🎶🌹💋💯💯💯💯💯💯🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩😍😍😍😍😍😍🎤🎼🎵🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹😻🥰🥰😻😻😻😻😻🥰🥰🥰🥰😘😘😘😘😘😘💘💘💘💘💘💘💚💛🧡❣️💞❤️💜💕♥️💓💗💖💝💘
@chepkoechyael9524
I love this musical iconic woman