Dolly Parton’s ‘Better Get To Livin” hit the airwaves like a blast of fresh country air. The Queen of Country delivered a finger-wagging anthem wrapped in sparkles and sass. From the get-go, Dolly’s unmistakable twang cuts through, serving up some down-home wisdom with a side of tough love.
The song sprang from Dolly’s famous optimism, distilled into three minutes of pure musical motivation. She penned it with Kent Wells, aiming to bottle up her sunny outlook for fans needing a pick-me-up. It became the first single off her “Backwoods Barbie” album, christening her brand-new label, Dolly Records.
‘Better Get To Livin” climbed to number 48 on the Hot Country Singles chart. Not too shabby for a gal in her 60s competing with the young bucks. But chart positions never could capture Dolly’s true impact.
The video’s a hoot and a holler.
Dolly struts her stuff as a circus ringleader, all sequins and big hair. She’s got the whole three-ring circus going – strongmen, acrobats, the works. It’s like she’s conducting an orchestra of life lessons, each act another slice of her patented Parton wisdom.
Between the cotton candy colors and carousel horses, Dolly’s doling out advice like a bedazzled fortune cookie. She’s not preaching from on high, though. Nope, she’s right there in the thick of it, reminding us she’s been down in the dumps too. But wallowing ain’t Dolly’s style.
The circus theme’s a perfect fit. Life’s a bit of a circus, ain’t it? Dolly’s just reminding us to be the ringmaster of our own show. Don’t let the clowns get you down, and keep those plates spinning.
While you’re at it, give ‘Islands in the Stream’ a listen:
Come on now, share this with your friends because Dolly’s brand of musical medicine is too good to keep to yourself.
