Better Get to Livin'

Infobox Single
Name = Better Get to Livin'


Caption = Cover of the single
Artist = Dolly Parton
Album = Backwoods Barbie
Released = August 28, 2007
Format = digital download, CD single
Recorded =
Genre = Country
Length = 3:33
Label = Dolly Records
Writer = Dolly Parton, Kent Wells
Producer =
Audio sample? =
Certification =
Last single = "Travelin' Thru"
(2005)
This single = "Better Get to Livin'"
(2007)
Next single = "Jesus & Gravity"
(2008)
Misc = External music video|" [http://www.cmt.com/videos/dolly-parton/191306/better-get-to-livin.jhtml Better Get to Livin'] " at CMT.com

"Better Get to Livin'" is the first single from Dolly Parton's album, "Backwoods Barbie," and was released on August 28, 2007.cite web|title=Dolly Parton releases new single|url=http://www.countrystandardtime.com/news/newsitem.asp?xid=867&t=Dolly_Parton_releases_new_single|work=Country Standard Time|date=2007-08-28|accessdate=2008-06-06] It was the first single released by Parton's own record label, Dolly Records.cite web|first=Ray|last=Waddell|title=Parton Launching Own Label With Country Album|work=Billboard.com|date=2007-08-01|url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003619807|accessdate=2008-06-06] An upbeat country pop song, [cite news|title=Dolly Parton hungry for hits with new album 'Backwoods Barbie'|work=International Herald Tribune|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/03/22/arts/NA-A-E-MUS-US-People-Dolly-Parton.php|date=2008-03-22|accessdate=2008-06-06] its lyrics deal with keeping a positive attitude and overcoming negative emotions.

Background and writing

The idea for the song came from Parton's co-producer and band leader Kent Wells, who co-wrote the song with Parton. According to Parton, Wells suggested that she write a song about her attitude since so many people ask what the secret to her happiness is.cite web|title=Dolly Parton On-Line: Backwoods Barbie Q&A|date=2007-09-05|url=http://www.dollyon-line.com/archives/ts/20070905_backwoods_barbie_qa.shtml|accessdate=2008-06-04] According to Parton, the song is about coping with the pressures of life and trying to keep a positive outlook in the midst of difficult times:

"I think life has always been a pressure cooker. People react to whatever pressures they’re under at the time according to their tolerance level and their mental attitude. Certainly with so much attention today on being skinny and beautiful, rich and famous, equal pay for equal work, getting ahead, raising kids, holding down a job, getting older, etc., well I think this song says some things to let people know they’re not the only ones in that fix. And this song offers some advice for a way out."

Chart performance

"Better Get to Livin'" was released to radio on September 28, 2007, and peaked at #48 on the "Billboard" Hot Country Songs chart. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:a9foxzljldfe~T31 Backwoods Barbie: Charts & Awards: Billboard Singles] at Allmusic. Retrieved on June 5, 2008.] The song was Parton's first charting solo single since "Hello God" reached #60 on the Hot Country chart in 2002, and her biggest hit on the charts since "I Will Always Love You" was rearranged to a duet with Vince Gill and hit #15 in 1995.

Reception

Despite the song's mediocre chart performance, [cite web|title=Dolly Parton releases album on own label|work=USA Today|first=John|last=Gerome|date=March 22, 2008|accessdate=2008-06-11|url=http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2008-03-22-1871646901_x.htm|quote=The first single, "Better Get to Livin'," a country-pop song she describes as sonically similar to Keith Urban, sputtered at No. 48.] critics gave the song positive reviews. Jim Malec, writing for The 9513, remarked that the song "should have been a hit... Dolly sounds as good (maybe better) than she ever has." [cite web|title=Artists to Watch in 2008 (Part 2 of 5): The Comeback Kids|work=The 9513|first=Jim|last=Malec|url=http://www.the9513.com/artists-to-watch-in-2008-part-2-of-5-the-comeback-kids/|date=January 8, 2008|accessdate=2008-06-11] Country Universe gave the song an "A+" saying that it was "one of the best singles of the year, sharply written with lyrics that both comfort and challenge its listeners." [cite web|title=Review: Dolly Parton, “Better Get to Livin’”|work=Country Universe|date=September 8, 2007|url=http://countryuniverse.wordpress.com/2007/09/08/review-dolly-parton-better-get-to-livin/|accessdate=2008-06-11] Monsters and Critics called it "a classic kick-in-the-pants inspirational", [cite web|title=Dolly Parton releases new single through iTunes|work=Monsters and Critics|date=Aug 28, 2007|url=http://www.monstersandcritics.com/music/news/article_1348764.php/Dolly_Parton_releases_new_single_through_iTunes|accessdate=2008-06-11] while Allmusic was less enthusiastic, deeming the song "cloyingly wise", but "catchy enough". [cite web|title=Backwoods Barbie|work=Allmusic|first=Steve|last=Leggett|url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:a9foxzljldfe|accessdate=2008-06-11] Chris Jones, writing for the BBC's online service, remarked on the song's feminist undertones, characterizing it as "a strident ode to the lessons that Parton's learned in a lifetime spent in an arena where men most definitely are men and women are expected to be grateful." [cite web|title=Dolly Parton, Backwoods Barbie|work=BBC|first=Chris|last=Jones|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/qh54/|date=May 30, 2008|accessdate=2008-06-11]

Music video

The music video for "Better Get to Livin'" was directed by Steven Lippman and was shot on a farm in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.cite web|first=Marc|last=Malkin|title=Spreading the Word of the Dolly Lama|work=E Online|url=http://www.eonline.com/gossip/planetgossip/detail/index.jsp?uuid=b6e2cd88-b1dd-4b17-83c0-a84facddf45f|date=2008-02-06|accessdate=2008-06-04] The video is set in a carnival, starting with Parton putting on her make-up while a ringmaster, played by Amy Sedaris, tells everyone to gather around. Parton comes out and begins singing to the depressed women in the audience. The next part has Parton comforting her friend in the kitchen of her house. The video then returns to the carnival where Parton is running a projector showing an old-fashioned silent movie. In the movie, a fortune-teller (also played by Sedaris) is telling Parton's friend all the things that are wrong with her life. Parton then sings to the women in the audience about how to cope with their problems by keeping a good attitude. At the end, everyone leaves the carnival with their spirits lifted. [http://www.cmt.com/videos/dolly-parton/191306/better-get-to-livin.jhtml Videos: "Better Get to Livin'"] at CMT.com. Retrieved on June 4, 2008.]

According to Lippman, the video was extremely popular on YouTube. It was viewed over 170,000 times on the site prior to the release of the "Backwoods Barbie" album.

References