Some good news, then. Not only for Dolly Parton fans, but for all of us ‘nostalgics’ who grew up in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s to the sweet crowing of the country singer with the unique sense of style and over-the-top blond wigs. Her new book, Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, is simply delightful.
Filled with all the anticipated indulgences of a pop star’s jaunt down Memory Lane, the memoir includes fabulous never-before-seen pictures of the singer in her pomp, innumerable photos of her gleaming collection of guitars, eccentric wardrobe, and pics and mentions of all the famous country stars and other glitterati she collaborated with throughout her illustrious sixty-year career. Most notably, the 380-pager features the lyrics of a shedload – 175, to be precise – of her best songs, all of whose backstories the reader is made privy to, including such classics as "Jolene," "9 to 5," "I Will Always Love You," and many more.
One of the most prolific writers of our age, Parton has penned 3 000 songs to date and, at 74, continues to write. She wrote her first songs at the age of five and, from the very first lyric, all of her songs since have reflected what was in her heart and on her mind at the time. She is indeed a ‘songteller’ – all her tracks contain substantial messages and wonderful stories. Her lyrics paint the smoky mountains in South Tennessee where she grew up along with her eleven siblings and her struggling tobacco-farming father and singing mother; and tell tales of life through her eyes, including her debut and early years in the world of country music; and her long and distinguished career in show business.
She says: “In my songwriting, I’ve never shied away from what is going on in the world. I don’t voice issues publicly, myself. But in my songs, I can write about whatever I feel. That’s what I’m about. I can say what I need to say without having to march in the streets or make big public statements. I express in my own way what I believe other people need to hear and might not be able to write about their feelings.”
In her inimitable ‘Dolly’ style of writing, she shares the background to the songs, why she wrote them and the circumstances that birthed them. In doing so, she affords the reader a unique insight into her life, her ups and downs, her fragility and her beliefs, her sacrifices, and her view of the world. I found her book a novel way to allow her fans – through her lyrics and her memories – to get to know her and to learn who the real Dolly Parton is. A remarkable, brave human being, and an astute businesswoman. A beloved icon across generations, genders, and social and international boundaries.
In Songteller, she describes her relationships and collaboration with many famous song writers, singers and stars such as Kenny Rogers, Linda Ronstadt, Whitney Houston, Tom Jones, Randy Ivory, Nora Jones, Johnny Cash, Michael Bolton, Il Divo, Ridge Boys, Jane Fonda – too many to list here. Nevertheless, I was riveted by every single encounter, and the way she had of nursing and cultivating would be one-offs into long-lasting relationships.
This isn’t Parton’s first book; she wrote an autobiography Dolly: My Life and Other Unfinished Business, in 1994. I suppose, if one starts a professional singing career at age 10, by age 48 one could fill several books with amusing anecdotes and life lessons. I confess I haven’t read the autobiography, but I am convinced that the more than three decades since publishing it are more than enough to fill Songteller with a whole new bank of wise, honest and revealing memories.
Dolly is often described as ‘too sweet’, ‘too nice’, ‘too light-hearted’ to be real. But after reading her book of songs, I wonder whether the world perhaps just finds goodness inconceivable, and by projecting our own spite and malevolence onto others and making a mockery of their sincerity and purity, we make ourselves feel worthy. As is often the case, this was continually evidenced in the tabloids who, over the years, tried to taint Dolly’s image and those around her. Despite this, it is her belief in herself and the courage of her conviction to be who she is, that won out, and which one can’t help but admire.
She refers to her mission in life by saying: “There is so much darkness in the world. I just hope that I can be a force for good and a light for others.”
And: “Music is the voice of the soul. Music makes such a deep impression on your psyche that it can bring your mind back where you’re safe.”
Like all of us, Dolly has her ups and downs, good years and bad years. Yet, she never steps out without her make-up done to perfection, her wig donned and outfit immaculate. She is still married to Carl Dean, the love of her life, and has been for 50 years. She has only good things to say about her co-stars and the thousands of people she has worked with, and she remains committed to inspire and make the world a better place. Indeed, since the establishment of her Imagination Library project in the ’90s, she has donated more than 100 million books to children, a remarkable feat of charity and a cause close to my own heart.
In 2020, Dolly stayed busy during the Covid19 lockdown and wrote a song: “When life is good again” with Kent Wells, which she video-recorded. She donated one million dollars to fund research for a vaccine; and started a web series called Goodnight with Dolly – bedtime stories for children. She ended her 2020 video with this message: Be safe, be respectful, wear your mask, lead with love.
It’s quite a task to try and sum Dolly Parton up in a few words. She’s a poor girl from south Tennessee who first sang on television at age 10; who had more than 450 songs recorded; boasts top of the charts songs for more than six decades; received more rewards and Grammies than any other in show business; starred in blockbuster movies; has her own production company that made more movies than I can tally; established a 150-acre theme park called Dollywood in Tennessee that attracts more than three million visitors per year; generously continues to donate millions… and still remains just an ordinary country girl who likes take-outs and quiet evenings at home.
For Dolly fans, this is a must read. For me, it was an interesting discovery of a world largely unknown to me. Storyteller captures the power of drive, self-belief, tenacity and sacrifice to keep going until you reach your goal, and ignoring the “haters”. An inspiring read and a visually attractive coffee table book.
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