Fabulous Female Writers: Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton is a fabulous writer?

There’s no doubt that Dolly Parton is fabulous, just in general. Her literacy program, Imagination Library, where she sends free books to millions of children worldwide, is proof of that. On her website, she states:

“When I was growing up in the hills of East Tennessee, I knew my dreams would come true. I know there are children in your community with their own dreams. They dream of becoming a doctor or an inventor or a minister. Who knows, maybe there is a little girl whose dream is to be a writer and singer.

The seeds of these dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.”

I love that quote. I especially love that she subtly references herself as a singer AND a writer.

Be honest, when you think about Dolly Parton, is writer the first word that pops into your mind? No? Me neither.

And yet, she’s both brilliant and incredibly prolific. She’s written hundreds of songs, both for herself and for other artists. It’s easy not to notice how smart her lyrics are, because she’s so charming and folksy. But when I really think about her story-telling abilities and her knack for metaphors, I get some serious writer’s envy.

Notice her use of active verbs and metaphor in the opening lines of “9 to 5”, as well as how she effortlessly establishes the exposition:

Tumble outta bed
And stumble to the kitchen,
Pour myself a cup of ambition!
And yawn and stretch and try to come to life,
jump in the shower
And the blood starts pumpin,
Out on the streets
The traffic starts jumpin,
With folks like me on the job from 9 to 5

There’s also this song, the lesser known “Dagger Through the Heart.” I love the imagery, the way she uses hyperbole, and how she doesn’t use mixed metaphors. (The used box of crayons simile combined with “you’ve made hurtin’ me an such art” is just so spot-on.)

Oh, you’re out there tonight with another
And my pain is so dreadfully sharp.
I picture you with her and shudder,
It’s like a dagger through the heart

Do you think that my feelings don’t matter,
Or your cheatin’ or hurtful remarks
When you leave me all broken and shattered
It’s like a dagger through the heart

Oh, I know I’m a fool to keep stayin’
When you’ve made hurtin’ me such an art,
Tossed around like a used box of crayons,
It’s like a dagger through the heart

Oh, you cut me to pieces so often
Like a knife or a poisonous dart
I would be better off in my coffin,
It’s like a dagger through the heart

Oh, I know I’m a fool to keep stayin’
When you’ve made hurtin’ me such an art,
Tossed around like a used box of crayons,
It’s like a dagger through the heart

And what about her arguably most popular song, “Here You Come Again”? The story telling is so tight, and so is the characterization, not to mention effortlessly effective use of 2nd person POV. I feel like I know everything I need to know about this guy, and about her, and about their relationship. Dolly communicates so much through use of imagery and details (his body, his smile, his mannerisms, etc.) and also through tone (The word choice, which paints a rather bleak picture, contrasts with the actual tone of the music, which is upbeat and chipper.) She tells a complete story of a relationship, which is something many novelists struggle to do.

Here you come again
Just when I’m about to make it work without you
You waltz right in the door
Just like you done before
And wrap my heart round your little finger
Here you come again
Just when I’m about to make it work without you
You look into my eyes
And light those dreamy eyes
And pretty soon I’m wonderin
How I came to doubt you
All you gotta do
Is smile that smile
And there go all my defenses
Just leave it up to you
And in a little while
You’re messin up my mind
An fillin up my senses

Here you come again
Lookin better than a body
Has a right to
An shakin me up so
That all I really know
Is here you come again
An here I go

All you gotta do
Is smile that smile
And there go all my defenses
Just leave it up to you
And in a little while
You’re messin up my mind
An fillin up my senses

Here you come again
Lookin better than a body
Has a right to
An shakin me up so
That all I really know
Is here you come again
An here I go

I think you’d have a hard time finding anyone who doesn’t love Dolly Parton.

But because of her down-home persona, I think she gets overlooked when it comes to her writing ability. The next time I need inspiration for truly good storytelling, I’ll just start combing through her lyrics.