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
Thoughtfulness
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Thoughtfulness brings happiness makes love last much longer
Love is like a tender young flower
It needs care from the time you sow
Tender words of love are like summer showers
Makes love strong when cold winds blow
Pull out the weeds of doubt and jealousy give love a chance to grow
Kisses are like sunshine you'll soon see love can bloom even in the snow
Thoughtfulness tenderness makes love grow stronger
Thoughtfulness brings happiness thoughtfulness thoughtfulness
The song "Thoughtfulness" by Dolly Parton is a beautiful and heartfelt ode to love and the importance of care and consideration in relationships. The lyrics stress the idea that if love is nurtured with tenderness and thoughtfulness, it can withstand even the toughest challenges and bring happiness that lasts long after the initial infatuation fades. Love is compared to a delicate flower that needs attention and care to thrive, and the singer suggests that tender words and acts of kindness act as nourishment for this flower.
Throughout the verses, the singer gives practical advice on how to care for this "flower" of love. She suggests pulling out the "weeds" of doubt and jealousy to give love a chance to blossom, and compares kisses to sunshine that can help love bloom even in difficult circumstances. The refrain repeats the idea that "thoughtfulness tenderness makes love grow stronger," emphasizing that small acts of love and kindness can have a big impact on a relationship.
Overall, this song is a beautiful celebration of love and the power of thoughtfulness and tenderness to keep that love alive. It is a reminder that while love can be fragile, it is also resilient and can be nurtured through small but meaningful acts of care and consideration.
Line by Line Meaning
Thoughtfulness tenderness makes love grow stronger
Being thoughtful and tender towards your partner contributes to the growth and strengthening of love.
Thoughtfulness brings happiness makes love last much longer
The act of thoughtfulness leads to happiness and a longer-lasting relationship.
Love is like a tender young flower
Love is delicate and needs nurturing to grow and flourish.
It needs care from the time you sow
From the very beginning, love requires care and attention to blossom.
Tender words of love are like summer showers
The expression of love through tender words is like refreshing summer showers that nourish and strengthen love.
Makes love strong when cold winds blow
When faced with difficulties and hardships, the tenderness and thoughtfulness of love can help it persevere and remain strong.
Pull out the weeds of doubt and jealousy give love a chance to grow
Removing any negative emotions such as doubt and jealousy can give love an opportunity to grow and thrive.
Kisses are like sunshine you'll soon see love can bloom even in the snow
Expressing affection through kisses fills love with warmth and light, allowing it to flourish even during difficult times.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: BILL EARL OWENS
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.