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
Two Doors Down
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cryin' about the way that life's been kickin' me around
My love of yesterday is gone but he promised no tomorrow
But they're feelin' no sorrow two doors down
Two doors down they're laughin' and drinkin' and havin' a party
But two doors down they're not aware that I'm around
But here I am, cryin' my heart out, feelin' sorryThey're havin' a party just two doors down
I think I'll cry these useless tears and get myself together
I think I'll wander down the hall and have a look around
'Cause I can't stay inside this lonely room and cry forever
I think I'd really rather join 'em two doors down, yeah
Two doors down they're laughin' and drinkin' and havin' a party (Ooh)
But two doors down they're not aware that I'm around (Alright, now, hey hey)
But here I am, cryin' my heart out, feelin' sorry (Ooh, yeah baby)
They're havin' a party just two doors down
I can't believe I'm standin' here, dry-eyed, all smiles and talkin'
Making conversation with a new love I've found
And I ask him if he'd like to be alone and we' start walkin'
Down the hall to my place waitin' two doors down, yeah
Two doors down they're laughin' and drinkin' and havin' a party (Yeah baby)
But two doors down they're not aware that I'm around (Whoa)
But here I am, cryin' my heart out, feelin' sorry (Sorry)
They're havin' a party just two doors down (Yeah)
Oh, oh, oh, oh, two doors down, I'll be there, yeah
Oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah, two doors down
Oh, oh, oh, oh, two doors down
Oh, oh, oh, oh, two doors down, yeah
Two doors down they're laughin' and drinkin' and havin' a party (Yeah)
Two doors down they're not aware that I'm around
But here we am, feelin' everything but sorry (Yeah, yeah, yeah, everything)
Havin' our own party two doors down (Hey, yeah)
Havin' our own party
Workin' and drinkin', baby
Havin' a party
Two doors down
Two doors down they're laughin' and drinkin' and havin' a party
Havin' our own party two doors down, woo
Two doors down we're havin' a party
Havin' our own party two doors down
Party, party, party
Party, party, party
Havin' our own party two doors down
I'll be there
I'll be there
Havin' our own party two doors down
Two doors down
Laughin' and drinkin' and havin' a party
Two doors down
Two doors down
In Dolly Parton’s “Two Doors Down,” the singer sings about being alone in her lonely room, crying her heart out while her neighbors two doors down are partying and having fun. She decides to dry her tears and join the party, walking down the hall to the sound of the music. She continues to find comfort in a new love, celebrating and having a party of her own two doors down.
The song speaks to the human experience of feeling lonely and left out while others are enjoying themselves nearby. Dolly Parton’s lyrics and melody capture the emotions of isolation and longing, while also expressing the hope of finding connection and companionship. The song’s simple message offers listeners a reminder to not give up on finding joy and companionship, even when it seems difficult or out of reach.
Line by Line Meaning
Two doors down they're laughing and drinking and having a party
There is a group of people two doors down from me who are enjoying themselves with laughter and alcohol
And two doors down they're not aware that I'm around
The partygoers are unaware that I am in close proximity to their gathering
But here I am crying my heart out, feeling sorry
I am feeling sad and emotional and have been reduced to tears
But they're having a party, just two doors down
Despite my sadness, the party next door is going strong, just out of reach
I think I'll dry these useless tears and get myself together
I am considering pulling myself together and stopping my tears, as they are not helping my situation
I think I'll wander down the hall and have a look around
I am planning to leave my current location and go explore what is happening in the area around me
'Cause I can't stay inside this lonely room and cry forever
I am acknowledging that it is not sustainable or productive to remain sad and alone in my current situation
I think I'd really rather join 'em two doors down
I am considering joining the party that is happening just a short distance away
Two doors down they're laughing and drinking and having a party
The party two doors down from me is still going on
And two doors down they're all aware that I'm around
I am now a visible presence at the party, and everyone there knows I am there
'Cause here I am no longer crying and feeling sorry
I have put aside my sadness and am enjoying myself with the others at the party
They're having a party, just two doors down
The party is still happening in close proximity to where I was previously feeling sad and alone
I can't believe I'm standing here dry eyed, all smiles and talkin'
I am amazed at my newfound positivity, as I am now happy and socializing with others
Making conversation with the new love I've found
I have found a new romantic interest and am enjoying talking with them
I ask him if he'd like to be alone and we start walkin'
The person I am interested in and I have decided to leave the party and go somewhere more private
Down the hall to my place waiting two doors down, yeah
We are heading to my place, which is conveniently located just two doors down from the party
Here we end feeling everything but sorry
I have moved on from feeling sad and am now experiencing positive emotions with my new partner
We're having our own party two doors down
We are now having our own party in a different location, but still close by to the original gathering
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@chareefabiano8173
Thank you so much Dolly. I have loved your music since the 70's. I used to listen to it with my Grandmother while she was battling cancer.
We listened to you quite often. Your voice is so beautiful. It has always reminded me of my Mother's voice, who I lost in 1971.
Everytime I hear you it takes me back.
Love you Dolly
@cliff9685
According to Jane Fonda she was driving home after seeing Lily Tomlin perform her act and this song was on the radio and she got the idea for 9 to 5 to be Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton. History was made!
@alienbutlerblunders5464
Dolly's appeal is staggering. Music at its absolute finest
@ashleyfranklin1497
It's crazy how a song can take you back in time. Thank you for making my childhood memories come rushing back. 🖤🦋🦋
@melissawhite5116
Me too
@ashleyfranklin1497
@@melissawhite5116 I absolutely LOVED her when I was a kid lol been to Dollywood many times, I love her smokey mountain home. She is a national treasure & should be kept safe lol
@mags9024
I’ve loved Dolly my whole life and bought this on vinyl when I was a kid, but now when I hear it, I always think of Tig Notaro and get an unexpected little chuckle.
@tomdavis3957
Dolly is a NATIONAL TREASURE!!! <3 <3
@frankortega4280
Always have to have a Dolly Parton song in a country band setlist.
My band used to play “Two Doors Down” which used to go over pretty well. Thanks for sharing this song tutorial. Nice work as usual.
@SOULSOREAL94
Dolly is a story teller ♡