Dolly Parton: Composer?

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 8:06pm

I was listening to the 9 to 5 demos and the real thing and I wondered:

Does anyone think that Dolly really wrote all those songs herself? The demos are mostly country and un-musical-theatre-y, but were fixed up for the real show. Many of the songs don't sound like something Dolly Parton would write, especially with the intercutting harmonies/ensemble parts. Am I the only one who thinks she had a ghostwriter come in on some of these songs?

I actually love most of the songs, though, except for a couple that have cheesy lyrics. (Let Love Grow = blegh)

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 8:14pm

Well considering that she is a Country artist she never really had a chance to show her abilities composing outside of Country. 9to5 has given this chance. In short NO, I don't believe she had a ghostwriter.

Updated On: 12/21/08 at 08:14 PM

[Robert Taylor]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 8:17pm

That TV movie she did called "A Smokey Mountain Christmas" had several non-country songs that she penned.

And I really like what I've heard of the "9 to 5" soundtrack so far.

[emo_geek]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 8:22pm

I loved this show!

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 8:24pm

I'm really pulling for it.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 8:27pm

Me too. The music, performances and especially the sets and costumes are amazing.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 9:01pm

Yup. All Dolly. She herself has said on countless interviews (TV and press) how liberating it was being able to compose a song with no time constraints (songs/singles have to be less than 3 minutes; stage songs have no limit). She also found it refreshing being able to write for a specific character and scenario as she generally has to fit an entire story in a single song.

FYI -- she, like many female country artists, writes her own material... both music and lyrics.

[TheCharleston]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 9:02pm

yes

in country music, there's actual singers and musicians. and those singers/musicians can actually write music

unlike these commercial pop faker divas -- I can skip the names.

LOVES ME SOME DOLLY!!

[TimeSquare3]

Posted: 12/21/08 at 9:05pm

Dolly & Reba, the queens of Country.

[bandit964]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 10:23pm

"Parton is a hugely successful songwriter, having begun by writing country music songs with strong elements of folk music in them, based upon her upbringing in humble mountain surroundings, and reflecting her family's evangelical Christian background. Her songs "Coat of Many Colors", "I Will Always Love You" (bodyguard anyone??) and "Jolene" have become classics in the field, as have a number of others. As a composer, she is also regarded as one of country music's most gifted storytellers, with many of her narrative songs based on persons and events from her childhood. Parton has published almost 600 songs with BMI to date and has earned 37 BMI awards for her material.[13] In 2001, she was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame"

~wikipedia (not always the best source, i know, but it works for this)
Updated On: 12/22/08 at 10:23 PM

[whiskedaway]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 10:27pm

where could one find these 9 to 5 demos?

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 12/22/08 at 10:34pm

PiraguaGuy, I can understand your skepticism. I, too, was a little suspicious upon hearing such wonderfully musical theatre-esque songs like "One of the Boys", "Heart to Hart" and "Get Out and Stay Out", but I'm slowly starting to have more faith in Dolly. I think she is given a lot less credit than she is due, because she's really an incredible musician who unfortunately has little more to her name than the label of 'Country.'

I'm sure she went through the same criticism and rewrites from the creative team that all composers do, and I'm sure she got at least a little help, but I would say, for the most part, that this was all her doing.

Then again, I could be completely wrong.

[txbeachie]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 2:29am

The woman is about more than wigs! She is an amazing musician and I am quite sure she wrote the songs herself.

[broadwaytourist]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 8:16am

To me, Dolly Parton is much more the songwriter than the artist. There is no doubt in my mind that she could compose anything, and I doubt she would put her name on anything she did not write.

[zamedy]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 10:27am

Dolly is quite simply, the total package. She can sing, act, write toe-tapping numbers like 9 to 5 and heart warming hits like "I Will Always Love You." I haven't heard the soundtrack to "9 to 5" yet but I'm very eager to hear it. This woman is incredibly talented and it's great that more people are finally realizing how truly musically talented she is. I've heard her say that she came up with the melody for "9 to 5" many years ago by tapping it out with her finger nails. And I'm sorry.. Anyone who can compose a song while sitting on an airplane that goes onto become a huge hit deserves all the praise bestowed upon them, and more.

Love you, Dolly!

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 10:31am

Dolly is amazing and the show, which I saw in previews, was lots of fun. I am pulling for this show and can't wait to see how the show has improved when they open on broadway.

[Usnavi]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 12:37pm

"And I really like what I've heard of the "9 to 5" soundtrack so far."

"I haven't heard the soundtrack to "9 to 5" yet but I'm very eager to hear it."

a recording of a broadway show is NOT a SOUNDTRACK!

Updated On: 12/23/08 at 12:37 PM

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 12:45pm

There was most definitely not a ghost writer. Even the tunes in the show that are more showtunes still have Dolly flavor in them. Honestly I was extremely blown away by some of the songs. I am looking forward to seeing it again in NYC.

[Usnavi]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 12:49pm

THIS is a SOUNDTRACK it's recorded for or is derived directly from a motion picture.




and yes i do believe dolly parton wrote every note and every lyric to the musical version of '9 to 5'. i can't wait to hear the ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING Updated On: 12/23/08 at 12:49 PM

[jordangirl]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 12:50pm

The woman is about more than wigs! She is an amazing musician and I am quite sure she wrote the songs herself.

Not only is she an amazing musician in every sense of the word, she is a flat-out decent human being. My mom used to know her wig-dresser (the woman's children were in Mom's pre-school), and while they were on a short pre-Christmas tour, the woman's house was broken into and all of the Christmas for her children and family was stolen. Ms. Parton ensured that everything was replaced and then some so that they would still have Christmas ~ something that she definitely did not have to do.

[bwayguy22089]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 12:57pm

From what I heard, Dolly is a very very honest person. She doesn't hide anything. If she had help or had others write some songs I'm sure she'd have no problem saying so. I also saw this show in LA and I really enjoyed it. The songs were really cute and catchy.

[zamedy]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 2:45pm

My bad usnavi. Thank you for setting me... errr... straight.

Dolly has no ego. "It costs a lot of money to look this cheap!" She is the salt of the earth.

[grnsmwhr]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 3:11pm

Dolly is an amazing lyricist, so I have no doubt she can do anything she sets her mind to.

[CurtisTaylorJr2]

Posted: 12/23/08 at 6:09pm

I think she did, she's a very strong lyricist and composer. Any good composer who wants to write a stage musical has no problem coming up with the score in typical stage musical style.