Born in Bolt, West Virginia, Dickens began his musical career in the late 1930s, performing on a local radio station while attending West Virginia University. He soon quit school to pursue a full-time music career, and travelled the country performing on various local radio stations under the name "Jimmy the Kid."
In 1948, Dickens was heard performing on a radio station in Saginaw, Michigan by Roy Acuff, who introduced him to Art Satherly at Columbia Records and officials from the Grand Ole Opry. Dickens signed with Columbia in September and joined the Opry in August. Around this time he began using the nickname, Little Jimmy Dickens, inspired by his short stature.
Dickens recorded many novelty songs for Columbia, including "Country Boy," "A-Sleeping at the Foot of the Bed" and "I'm Little But I'm Loud." His song "Take an Old Cold Tater (And Wait)" inspired Hank Williams to nickname him "Tater". Later, telling Jimmy he needed a hit, Williams penned "Hey Good Lookin'" specifically for Dickens in only 20 minutes while on a Grand Ole Opry tour bus. A week later Williams cut the song himself, jokingly telling him, "That song's too good for you!"
Dickens in 1955.
In 1950 Dickens formed the Country Boys with musicians Jabbo Arrington, Grady Martin, Bob Moore and Thumbs Carllile and. It was during this time that he discovered future Hall of Famer Marty Robbins at a Phoenix, Arizona television station while on tour with Grand Ole Opry road show. In 1957 Dickens left the Grand Ole Opry to tour with the Philip Morris Country Music Show.
In 1962 Dickens scored his first top-10 country hit since 1954 with "The Violet and the Rose".
In 1964 Dickens became the first country artist to circle the globe while on tour, and also made numerous TV appearances including The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In 1965 he released his biggest hit, "May the Bird of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose," reaching No. 1 on the country chart and No. 15 on the pop chart.
In the late 1960s Dickens left Columbia for Decca Records, before moving again to United Artists in 1971. That same year he married his wife, Mona, and in 1975 he returned to the Grand Ole Opry. In 1983 Dickens was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Dickens joined producers Randall Franks and Alan Autry for the In the Heat of the Night cast CD “Christmas Time’s A Comin’” performing "Jingle Bells" with the cast on the CD released on Sonlite and MGM/UA for one of the most popular Christmas releases of 1991 and 1992 with Southern retailers.
Recently Dickens has made appearances in a number of music videos by fellow country musician and West Virginia native Brad Paisley. He has also been featured on several of Paisley's albums in bonus comedy tracks along with other Opry mainstays such as George Jones and Bill Anderson. They are collectively referred to as the Kung-Pao Buckaroos.
With the passing of Hank Locklin in March 2009, Dickens became the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 90. He still makes regular appearances as a host at the Opry, often with the self-deprecating joke that he is also known as "Willie Nelson after taxes." At the 2011 CMA Awards, Jimmy was dressed up as Justin Bieber, and made fun of Bieber's recent paternity scandal.
Slowly
Little Jimmy Dickens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Slowly you're winning a heart that can be true
Now I can′t hide my feelings for it's so plain and true
Slowly I'm falling more in love with you
[ Fiddle - steel ]
More and more I need you and want you by my side
More and more I love you as each day passes by
No need to hide my feelings for it′s so plain and true
The lyrics of Little Jimmy Dickens’s song Slowly convey the sentiment of falling deeper in love with someone slowly and truly. The words suggest that the singer is experiencing a gradual transition of emotions but feels comfortable enough to express them openly. The lyrics express that the singer cannot hide their feelings any longer and is in love with the person they have been mentioning. The lyrics also suggest that the singer wants to spend more time with the person they love and need them by their side constantly as each day passes.
Overall, “Slowly” is a love song that conveys the depth and longevity of true love. From the slow and steady pace, to the implied stability that comes with a faithful heart, the song is a testament to the strength of enduring love. The use of the fiddle and steel in the background creates a country vibe and is a significant element of the song. They blend perfectly to deliver the message of the intended lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Slowly I'm falling more in love with you
The singer is expressing their growing love for someone.
Slowly you're winning a heart that can be true
The other person is slowly winning over the singer's heart, which has the potential to be genuine and steadfast.
Now I can't hide my feelings for it's so plain and true
The singer can no longer conceal their emotions because they are obvious and honest.
More and more I need you and want you by my side
The artist's desire for the other person is intensifying, and they want them to be present in their life.
More and more I love you as each day passes by
The artist's love for the other person is increasing with each passing day.
No need to hide my feelings for it's so plain and true
The singer no longer feels the need to conceal their emotions because they are evident and sincere.
Slowly I'm falling more in love with you
The singer is reiterating their growing affection for the other person.
Contributed by Violet J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@frankchilds9848
Jimmy must have an incredible sense of humor....to say the least 🙄 😉 🤣
@benbop1965
🤠👍 Yes !
@frankchilds9848
How I miss the old days before political correctness
@frankchilds9848
I knew it! I saw him live in Hawaii where I live in the early 70s. He and the band did a skit about the old police detective show Dragnet, Jimmy started by saying....Ladies and gentlemen, I am a little dick! and gave a wry smile 😼