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
Yours Love
Dolly Parton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
May the food from my soil be yours love
And from this moment on
May a love that is strong
That lives on and on be yours love
May the sons that I raise be yours love
If I ever get weak may the love words I speak
And the arms that I seek be yours love
May the Lord's shining grace be yours love
May the happiest face be yours love
May the last fingertips that touch these two lips
As life from me slips be yours love
And from this moment on
May a love that is strong
That lives on and on be yours love
The lyrics to Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner's song Yours Love speak to the depth and devotion of a love that transcends time and circumstance. The singer is essentially saying that everything they have, everything they create and cultivate, everything they hold dear in life, they want to give to the one they love. The fruit of their toil and the food from their soil signify the hard work and literal sustenance that they provide for their loved one. The singer hopes that all of the good things that they accomplish in life will benefit their partner, from the sons they raise to the comforts they cherish.
The song takes a turn in the second verse, when the singer admits that they may get weak at times. But even then, they want the love they speak and the arms they seek to belong to their partner. The final lines of the song bring in religious and poetic imagery, as the singer wishes for the Lord's grace to shine on their loved one and for their partner to always have a happy face. Even in death, the singer wants the last fingertips that touch their lips to belong to their partner, to make sure their love lives on.
Overall, the lyrics to Yours Love could be interpreted in a few different ways, but they all speak to unbridled adoration and devotion. Whether you view it as a declaration of love between romantic partners, or a tribute to the love between family members or friends, the song paints a picture of love that is all-encompassing and eternal.
Line by Line Meaning
May the fruit of my toil be yours love
I wish for the results of my hard work to benefit and satisfy you.
May the food from my soil be yours love
I hope that the crops grown from my land provide sustenance and pleasure for you.
And from this moment on
Starting now, going forward.
May a love that is strong
May our bond and affection for each other be resilient and unwavering.
That lives on and on be yours love
I hope our love endures forever.
May the sons that I raise be yours love
May the children I raise bring you joy and happiness.
May the comforts I praise be yours love
May the things that bring me comfort bring you comfort as well.
If I ever get weak may the love words I speak
If I become vulnerable and falter, may the words I express to you still be filled with love.
And the arms that I seek be yours love
In times of need, I turn to you for comfort and support.
May the Lord's shining grace be yours love
May you receive God's blessings and grace in abundance.
May the happiest face be yours love
May you always be happy and content.
May the last fingertips that touch these two lips
As I near the end of my life, may the last sensation I feel be the touch of our lips.
As life from me slips be yours love
As I pass away, may my love for you stay with you forever.
And from this moment on
Again, starting now, going forward.
May a love that is strong
May our bond and affection for each other be resilient and unwavering.
That lives on and on be yours love
I hope our love endures forever.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HARLAN HOWARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
JacobsOompa
ABSOLUTE BEST Duet artist pair.....My friend and I do alot of their old duets...and we get lots of requests for them.....my most fav to sing.
I have been many a time just a few feet away from them while they were singing....met and interviewed both of them....Two of the Best folks you ever wished to meet or have met. RIP Porter....
CountrynIrish
Wonderful Duet ! Love it ! They sound great together ! Beautiful Song ! Real Country Music ! Fantastic Video ! Thanks you so much for uploading this classic ! 5*****+
Ann Hughes
Love ❤️ this song beautiful cute they sound great together I love ❤️ country music 6th jul 2022 i am listening to this great song 💕💕💕💕💕💕
Mary Murphy
Dolly and Porter were really in love. The chemistry and body language in later videos were unmistakable.
BILL
Wish they could had made a updated album of there greatest songs, before PORTER died. RIP P.W.
Rhoda wurgler
Love Porter. Miss him so much!
teriw56
Dolly is anointed
Shirley Spuehler
Great dolly voice
Thomas ford
Porters going to give Dolly a hug at the end of this song. But Dolly turns away giving Porter the Cold Shoulder.
ngwako presley
tha song makes me think about mi x girl friend