About The Song
Dolly Parton released “Better Get to Livin’” on August 28, 2007, as an exclusive download on the iTunes Store. It marked the very first single issued by her newly launched independent label, Dolly Records. The track served as the lead single from her 42nd solo studio album, Backwoods Barbie, which arrived on February 26, 2008. After spending much of the previous decade focused on bluegrass projects and tribute albums, this release represented Parton’s return to mainstream country radio under her own control.
Parton co-wrote the song with Kent Wells, her longtime co-producer, bandleader, and guitarist. Wells had noticed how frequently fans approached her with questions about her upbeat attitude and endless energy. He suggested she turn that into a song. Parton later recalled that the idea came together quickly during a writing session where Wells fed her lines and she built on them. The result captured her personal philosophy shaped by years of public scrutiny and private challenges.
The lyrics offer straightforward advice on handling life’s pressures. Parton sings about not dwelling on problems, keeping a positive outlook, and moving forward even when things feel overwhelming. She touches on everyday struggles such as body image, balancing work and family, chasing success, and growing older. The chorus delivers the core message in plain terms: get to living, give a little more thought to being willing, and fall on your knees and pray if it gets too rough. Backing vocals from gospel singers Sonya Isaacs and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman add warmth and lift to the upbeat country-pop arrangement.
At the time, the song stood out as a gentle reminder of resilience from an artist who had faced her share of hardships, including an impoverished childhood, infertility, bouts of depression, and tabloid rumors. Parton has described herself in interviews as someone who does not hand out advice but simply shares information; this track became her way of passing along what had worked for her. Critics responded warmly, with several calling it one of the strongest cuts on the album and noting the clarity of her voice after decades in the business.
The single climbed to number 48 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, marking Parton’s first charting solo single since “Hello God” in 2002. The parent album performed better, debuting at number 17 on the Billboard 200 and reaching number 2 on the Top Country Albums chart. It sold more than 27,000 copies in its first week and eventually moved over 274,000 units in the United States, making it one of her stronger commercial releases of the 2000s.
A music video directed by Steven Lippman followed in November 2007. Filmed on a farm in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, it features Parton as a carnival performer lifting the spirits of downcast women while comedian Amy Sedaris plays a colorful barker. The clip mixes live-action sequences with a silent-film-style fortune-teller segment and received positive notices for its playful energy. Parton performed the song live on Dancing with the Stars in September 2007 to an audience of roughly 20 million and later led the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Looking back, “Better Get to Livin’” has remained one of the tracks Parton points to when discussing her approach to life and work. It reflected both her mountain-rooted optimism and her decision to take greater control of her recordings through Dolly Records. The song continues to serve as a quiet call to action for listeners facing their own daily pressures.
Video
Lyric
People always comin’ up to me and askin’
“Dolly, what’s your secret?
With all you do, your attitude
Just seems to be so good
How do you keep it?”
Well, I’m not the Dalai Lama, but I’ll try
To offer up a few words of advice.
You better get to livin’, givin’
Don’t forget to throw in a little forgivin’
And lovin’ on the way
You better get to knowin’, showin’
A little bit more concerned about where you’re goin’
Just a word unto the wise
You better get to livin’.
A girlfriend came to my house
Started cryin’ on my shoulder Sunday evening
She was spinnin’ such a sad tale
I could not believe the yarn that she was weavin’
So negative the words she had to say
I said if I had a violin I’d play.
I said you’d better get to livin’, givin’
Be willing and forgivin’
Cause all healing has to start with you
You better stop whining, pining
Get your dreams in line
And then just shine, design, refine
Until they come true
And you better get to livin’.
Your life’s a wreck, your house is mess
And your wardrobe way outdated
All your plans just keep on falling through
Overweight and under paid, under appreciated
I’m no guru, but I’ll tell you
This I know is true.
You better get to livin’, givin’
A little more thought about bein’
A little more willin’ to make a better way
Don’t sweat the small stuff
Keep your chin up
Just hang tough
And if it gets too rough
Fall on your knees and pray
And do that everyday
Then you’ll get to livin’.
The day we’re born we start to die
Don’t waste one minute of this life
Get to livin’
Share your dreams and share your laughter
Make some points for the great hereafter.
Better start carin’
Better start sharin’
Better start tryin’
Better start smiling
And you better get to livin’…