Today I will use my blog for sentimental purposes. And when I say sentimental I really mean all dramatic guns out blazing. You may already have guessed it; yes this is another tribute to Dolly Parton. I don’t know why but Dolly really speaks to me, I can’t explain it. It’s been so long since I’ve listened so much to one album. Every week I have a new favourite song and I think it will go on until every single song from Backwoods Barbie has been on repeat for a full week (except “You Drive Me Crazy”, that’s the only one that doesn’t speak to me). You won’t believe how much scorn and mock has come my way since I started outing myself as Crazy About Dolly. I swear to God, it was easier to come out as gay (but I guess that’s a good thing). You see to my generation (thirtysomethings) Dolly isn’t an icon anymore. We grew up with Madonna and Michael Jackson and grunge and then we all (well, most people I know anyway) became (semi-)cool indie-kids. But once you’re over thirty it’s crazy to go hang with hipster kids and dance to indie and electro beats and go and see the latest internet hype in concert. I know a few people of my age who still do that and kudos to them for not letting the kids and their skinny jeans get to them, but personally I think it’s better to stay home on a Saturday night (and watch Strictly Come Dancing). Or go to parties where you don’t feel like everybody’s granny.
See, I’ve been defending my Dolly Love so much lately that I’m even getting defensive on my blog. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with adoring Dolly Parton. I mean, why should she not be worshipped? She’s got the best voice, she writes brilliant songs (albeit not the most optimistic ones) and she’s been doing it for decades. I actually feel silly for only discovering Dolly’s full potential now while I could’ve done so years ago but I guess I was too busy then trying to keep up with every obscure little band that put a demo out. Those were exhausting times, let me tell you that.
I guess I also see it as a way of embracing that I’m semi-middle aged now. Additionally I also think Dolly is my new Madonna (but I’ll save my Madonna adoration story for another blog post). And just to let you know that this Dolly post is not totally gratuitous, this song (my favourite for this week) makes sense, no?
(Lyrics after the jump for fellow Dolly enthusiasts.)
I just want to be somebody’s everything.
You say I’ve seen too many movies, watched too much TV,
Read too many fairy tales that I live and make believe.
You say the kind of love I’m dreamin’ of does not exist.
And there’s no one like I’m searchin’ for, well, I believe there is.
And I want someone to come alive when they lay eyes on me,
Have a lust within their touch, a passion fire beyond belief.
Reality and fantasy should be one in the same
And I want to be somebody’s everything.
I refuse to settle for something less than great.
And if it takes a lifetime, then that’s how long I’ll wait.
‘Cause all I want is everything, is that too much to ask?
Have romance, love and passion; find magic that will last.
And I want someone to think they’ll die if they can’t be with me.
I want to be their joy, their pride, their dreams,
The very air they breathe.
I want to wake up feelin’ loved and go to bed the same.
Yes, I want to be somebody’s everything, somebody’s everything.
Oh, I want someone to come alive when they lay eyes on me.
Have a lust within their touch, a passion fire beyond belief.
I’d love to wake up feelin’ loved and go to bed the same.
Yes, I want to be somebody’s everything.
Someone to hold me close and tremble when the lovin’s done.
Think it’s heaven, call me angel, think I hung the moon and sun.
Get misty eyed just knowin’ with a love song people sing.
Yes, I want to be somebody’s everything.
And I’m gonna be somebody’s everything,
somebody’s everything.
I want to be, I’m gonna be somebody’s everything.
I want to be, I want to be somebody’s everything,
Somebody’s everything, somebody’s everything
Somebody’s everything, somebody’s everything
Yes I want to be, I’m gonna be somebody’s everything
I want to be, I’m gonna be, I wanna be somebody’s everything
Yikes, another Dolly fan? I discovered her way back in the early 80s when I first went to NYC. I mean, I knew about her before then, but it wasn’t till a friend of mine dragged me along to some concert that I went WOW, this lady can fracking sing!
I was hooked from then on in, and, in fact, think the delectable Ms. Parton is a bona fida hero and I’ve always had a secret hankering to sing with her. Funny really, given me and mine were at the Operalia (held for the first time here in QC) last night watching a bunch of opera hopefuls sing in front of Placido Domingo.
Let’s all share the Dolly Love! (Although I don’t think singing with Dolly would be a good idea.) (I can’t hold a tune to save my life.)
My business partner (and friend) is a huge Dolly fan, he is married, soon to be forty and sings all of her songs with his 3 girls. He is the campest straight man I know.
My mother is a fan of country music so we heard a lot of Dolly P and Kenny R growing up. Back then we hated it but it is very nostalgic for me now.
[...] post is not going to be about TV, it will be about music. I’ve already professed my love for Dolly Parton on this blog but I have to say that I’m kind of past Dolly now. I’ve actually learnt [...]
[...] post is not going to be about TV, it will be about music. I’ve already professed my love for Dolly Parton on this blog but I have to say that I’m kind of past Dolly now. I’ve actually learnt [...]