Dolly Parton: Queen of Witty Songwriting
Dolly Parton is renowned worldwide as one of the most successful country music artists of all time. With over 50 years in the industry, she has written over 3000 songs and earned numerous accolades, including 10 Grammy awards. However, what may be lesser known about Parton is her gift for weaving humor into her songwriting. Throughout her career, Parton has proven herself a master of crafting lyrics that are not only catchy and relatable, but downright hilarious. From playful wordplay to observational comedy to self-deprecating wit, Parton uses humor as a tool to connect with audiences on a deeper level. Here are analyses of 10 of Dolly Parton’s funniest songs that showcase her comedic songwriting chops.
“Dumb Blonde” (1967)
One of Parton’s earliest hits, “Dumb Blonde” takes on the stereotype of unintelligent blondes with a wink and a smile. In the opening lines, she declares “My hair may be blond, but I’m not dumb / Just because I play dumb sometimes.” Already, she’s subverting expectations with a playful admission that her “dumb” persona is just an act. The song pokes fun at those who underestimate her because of her hair color, while also embracing and owning the stereotype. Parton uses self-deprecating humor to disarm critics and connect with her audience on a more lighthearted level. Even at the start of her career, she demonstrated a knack for weaving wit into her songwriting.
“Jolene” (1973)
On the surface, “Jolene” seems like a somber plea to a woman not to steal Parton’s man. However, closer examination reveals moments of unexpected silliness. When describing Jolene’s features, Parton compares her smile to “a breath of spring” and her voice to “summer rain” – flowery, poetic images. But then she takes it one step further, likening her infatuation to “a child for candy rain.” Candy rain? The absurdity of this metaphor, juxtaposed with the otherwise serious tone, catches the listener off guard in a delightful way. It’s a testament to Parton’s ability to blend gravitas with goofiness in her songwriting.
“I Will Always Love You” (1973)
Written as a farewell song for her former partner and mentor Porter Wagoner, “I Will Always Love You” became one of Parton’s signature hits after Whitney Houston’s famous cover version. On the surface, it’s a moving tribute expressing undying love and gratitude. But Parton finds a way to inject humor even in this emotional ballad. In the opening verse, she acknowledges “It might be weird to write this song / For a girl who’s still around.” The self-awareness and honesty in admitting the unusual circumstance of writing a love song for someone she wasn’t breaking up with brings levity to an otherwise heavy topic. Only Dolly could find comedy in a song about eternal devotion.
“Do I Ever Cross Your Mind” (1978)
In “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind,” Parton sings from the perspective of someone wondering if an ex still thinks about them once in a while. She paints a relatable picture of fading memories with witty and visual metaphors. When asking if the past romance ever enters their mind, she compares herself to “a dusty memory / Like an old pair of overalls that you don’t wear no more.” The silly, down-home comparison of herself to worn-out clothes brings humor to the otherwise melancholy topic. Only Parton could turn nostalgia for lost love into such an amusing image. Her gift for mixing pathos with puns is on full display.
“9 to 5” (1980)
One of Parton’s most iconic anthems was born from her own frustrations with office politics and sexism in the workplace. In “9 to 5,” she hilariously captures the mundane frustrations of daily work grind. In verse two, she sings of waking up early just to “stand around talkin’ ‘til somebody hollers ‘Bertie!’” The specificity of waiting for a supervisor named Bertie to dole out tasks is such an amusingly relatable detail. Only someone who’s experienced the doldrums of unfulfilling office work could craft such an authentic and funny portrayal. Parton brings humor to shared struggles, helping listeners laugh through their pain.
“The Bargain Store” (1980)
Parton was never one to mince words, and in “The Bargain Store” she takes a witty jab at cheap tokens of romance. She paints a picture of a discount store stocked with “fake diamonds on plastic rings / And polyester hearts with plastic wings.” The absurd imagery of artificial, low-quality stand-ins for love perfectly captures the inauthenticity of fleeting flings. Only Dolly could turn fake gifts into such clever punchlines. She uses humor to highlight what really matters – genuine emotion over hollow gestures. Her sharp sense of comedic timing shines through in lyrics that poke fun while also making an insightful point.
“PMS” (1987)
In the 1980s, discussing topics like premenstrual syndrome was still fairly taboo. But as always, Parton was ahead of her time addressing real women’s issues with candor, care, and a hefty dose of humor. In “PMS,” she sings about waking up grumpy with “a grouch in my shoe.” The silly metaphor perfectly captures the feeling of being irritable for no logical reason. She then declares that suddenly “the world ain’t lookin’ nothin’ like it used to do.” Only Parton could find comedy in the hormonal havoc of PMS and help destigmatize it for others in the process. Her ability to blend levity with empathy opened doors for honest discussions through laughter.
“Fifty Shades of Gray Hair” (2009)
As she entered her 60s, Parton didn’t slow down – she sped up, cranking out hit after hit. In “Fifty Shades of Gray Hair,” she confronts aging with characteristic sass, self-deprecation, and wink. She laments that her hair is now “a whisper of what it used to be.” But rather than despair, she declares “honey, I don’t mind, it’s settin’ me free.” Only Dolly could spin losing her trademark blond locks into such an empowering, comedic anthem. Her witty wordplay and confident embrace of change are a comedic masterclass. Parton proves getting older can mean growing wiser without losing your sense of humor.
“Smoky Mountain Memories” (2016)
In this nostalgic look back at young love in East Tennessee, Parton paints a hilarious picture fans can relate to. She fondly recalls “We used to make out in a Nash Rambler / Parked behind the Baptist church.” The specificity of necking in an old car parked by a house of God is such an amusingly authentic detail of innocent teenage shenanigans. Only someone who grew up in the Smokies could craft such an amusingly vivid, true-to-life vignette. Parton’s ability to blend nostalgia with witty observational humor continues to charm audiences decades into her career.
“Pure and Simple” (2016)
In her 70s, Parton was still going strong, cranking out wise, funny songs. In “Pure and Simple,” she acknowledges that while she can buy all the beauty products she wants, “nothin’ covers up an empty heart, honey.” The matter-of-fact delivery of this truth bomb, followed by her signature term of endearment “honey,” brings humor to a serious message. Only Dolly could turn a profound life lesson into such an amusing lyrical mic drop. Her comedic timing remains as sharp as ever, a testament to her timeless gift for blending wit with wisdom.
Throughout her illustrious career, Dolly Parton has cemented her status as a comedic songwriting legend. Whether poking fun at herself, painting vividly amusing portraits of rural life, or slipping humorous one-liners into more serious songs, she infuses her music with wit, puns, and observational humor. Parton uses self-deprecating jokes, silly metaphors, and wry turns of phrase to connect with audiences on a deeper level. Her ability to blend gravitas with goofiness, sincerity with silliness, has kept her music fresh and fans laughing for over half a century. Dolly Parton’s gift for crafting hilarious lyrics is just one more reason she truly deserves the title Queen.