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
We'll Get Ahead Someday
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We'll get ahead someday
We'll get ahead someday
If the sun comes up and we're both cut down
We'll get ahead someday.
Well, I get up early, work hard all day
But I did'nt realize till I get home
What an awful shape we're in.
The car's wore out, kids need shoes
Got a bill from a doctor today
The landlord said you'll get out tomorrow
If you don't get me some pay.
We'll get ahead someday...
We'll get ahead someday
If the sun comes up and we're both cut down
We'll get ahead someday.
--- Instrumental ---
The paper says there's a sale downtown
I gotta have some money today
Well, there's things at home that ain't never been used
You bought last bargain day.
Well, you go out one Saturday night
Just spend too much money on wine
Well, I work hard all week long
And I gotta have a little fun sometimes.
We'll get ahead someday
We'll get ahead someday
If the sun comes up and we're both cut down
We'll get ahead someday.
If the sun comes up and my wife cuts down
We'll get ahead someday...
The song "We'll Get Ahead Someday" by Dolly Parton is a simple yet powerful country ballad that speaks to the struggles of the working class. As the song begins, the singer expresses their determination to persevere through difficult times, to keep going even when the future looks bleak. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "We'll get ahead someday" as a sort of mantra, an affirmation of hope in the face of adversity. The verse that follows describes the everyday struggles of the singer- working hard all day, dealing with bills and financial stress, and trying to find some small pleasures in life. Through it all, the singer remains determined to keep moving forward, to believe that someday they will achieve success and security.
One of the most interesting things about this song is that it was written by a fiddler named Mack Magaha, who played in Dolly Parton's band for many years. Magaha was not a prolific songwriter, but this song was one of his most enduring contributions to the world of country music. It was originally recorded in 1967 by the Osborne Brothers, but it was Dolly's version, released in 1970, that really took off and became a classic.
Another interesting aspect of this song is its message of perseverance and resilience in the face of hardship. This is a theme that runs through much of Dolly Parton's music, and it has resonated with countless fans over the years. The idea that no matter how difficult the present may be, there is always hope for a better future, is a powerful one, and it is what makes this song so uplifting and inspiring.
Overall, "We'll Get Ahead Someday" is a beautiful, heartfelt song that speaks to the struggles and dreams of working people everywhere. Its message of hope and perseverance is just as relevant today as it was when it was first recorded, and it remains one of Dolly Parton's most beloved and enduring songs.
Line by Line Meaning
We'll get ahead someday
Despite our current difficulties and struggles, we hold onto hope and believe that someday we will overcome and prosper.
If the sun comes up and we're both cut down
Even if we don't live to see prosperous times, we believe that future generations will benefit from the progress we make today.
Well, I get up early, work hard all day
I am trying my best to earn a living for myself and my loved ones.
Listen to the troubles of my friends
I try to be a good friend and lend an ear to those who are going through hard times like me.
But I didn't realize till I get home
Despite encountering others' troubled situations, it wasn't until I got home that I fully realized the extent of my own problems.
What an awful shape we're in
I am conscious of the fact that our current financial circumstances are in dire straits.
The car's wore out, kids need shoes
Our basic needs are not being met, and we lack the resources to cover the essentials such as car repairs and shoes for our children.
Got a bill from a doctor today
Unexpected expenses such as medical bills are coming our way and only adding to our financial burden.
The landlord said you'll get out tomorrow
Even the roof over our head is in jeopardy because we are unable to pay our rent on time.
If you don't get me some pay
The landlord is giving us an ultimatum that we will be evicted if we don't come up with the money to pay our rent.
The paper says there's a sale downtown
I am trying to find ways to scrape together money, even if that means taking advantage of sales around town.
I gotta have some money today
My financial situation is so dire that I need money urgently to cover my basic needs.
Well, there's things at home that ain't never been used
I am realizing that I've collected many items over time that I don't need and could potentially sell to generate some income.
You bought last bargain day
I remember purchasing some of these items at a discounted price, but now I am regretting those purchases as they did not hold much value in the long run.
Well, you go out one Saturday night
Despite our financial struggles, we try to find the balance between working hard and enjoying some leisure time with friends and loved ones.
Just spend too much money on wine
Sometimes we indulge a little too much and spend money that we don't have on things that won't bring us long-term fulfillment.
And I gotta have a little fun sometimes
Despite the difficulties we face, it's important to find small moments of joy and happiness in life.
If the sun comes up and my wife cuts down
We'll get ahead someday...
Even if the worst happens and my wife or I do not survive, we carry on to believe that our hard work will benefit future generations and bring prosperity to our family.
Writer(s): Mack Magaha
Contributed by Layla A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Heather Little
2019 and still listening. I can remember my mother playing this on an 8-track. Hearing their voices now gives me goosebumps and waves of nostalgia. ♥ ♥
Does anyone out there know what an 8-track even is any longer or am I just ancient? lol
Olawale Oluwole
I am more ancient. I've never listened to new age...just oldies always..LOL
mrcraigis40
Great country from Porter and Dolly. Memories of my childhood. Thanks for posting!!
BERNARD MUTIA
Those two match so well.True country legends.Love everybit
Daniel Burns
this song went to #5 on the country charts in 1968!!!
Kennedy Tafirenyika
Beautiful song by the word.. RIP PORTER.
LaBanacheck Lowery
I loves this old jam here 😋😋😋😋
Alan Humphrey
Written by fiddle player Mac McGaha.