Written by Dolly Parton

 

Dolly Parton’s 1977 platinum album, Here You Come Again, started a musical evolution. The legendary country singer/songwriter reached pop radios and audiences with remarkable success. Yet, Here You Come Again would take the music world by storm. This album was produced by Gary Klein of Barbra Streisand fame and arranged by Steely Dan alumni and supreme guitarist, Dean Parks. An impressive number of A-list session players were recruited, including drummer Ed Greene, Toto bassist David Hungate, Jay Graydon on guitar and Foster who played all the keyboards and synths. The title track and first single, “Here You Come Again,” was an out-of-the-box hit and became  a multi-format smash on both the Country and Pop charts. A review of that hit single with Foster’s prominent keyboard work can be found in the archives. 

This week, the featured song was a Parton original titled “Two Doors Down.” 

The story behind “Two Doors Down”  was quite interesting. The song was the initial choice as the second single for the country market. However, another singer, Zella Lehr, released her own cover of the song that was quite successful and reached #7 on the Country charts. As a result, Parton and her team went back into the studio and re-recorded the song with a pop dance arrangement for a February 1978 single release for the pop market. The other song on that single was another Parton original titled “It’s All Wrong, But It’s All Right.” Lo and behold, this song became another #1 hit on the Country chart for Parton. The new, pop version of “Two Doors Down” was included on the subsequent releases of Here You Come Again. It was a solid top twenty hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 at #19 and it also went to #12 on the Adult Contemporary chart. 

“Two Doors Down” is a feel-good number that offers an atmosphere perfectly balanced between country overtones with a pop feel. Foster was again featured on a bass synth and fender rhodes. Parton offered another energetic performance backed up by great vocal harmonies, tight horns and Parks’ impressive work on guitar.

• Lead Vocals: Dolly Parton
• Keyboards & Synthesizers: David Foster
• Bass: David Hungate
• Drums: Ed Greene
• Lead Guitar: Dean Parks
• Guitar: Ben Benay, Dave Wolfert & Jay Graydon
• Percussion: Jim Keltner
• Synthesizer Programming: Ian Underwood
• Background Vocals:  Dolly Parton, Gene Morford, Jan Gassman, Marti McCall & Myrna Matthews

• Rhythm Arrangement by Dean Parks
• Strings & Vocal Arrangement by Nick DeCaro
• Produced by Gary Klein

Lyrics

Lyin’ across my lonely bed in this lonely old apartment
Cryin’ about the way that life’s been kickin’ me around
My love of yesterday is gone but he promised no tomorrow
But they’re feelin’ no sorrow two doors down

Two doors down they’re laughin’ and drinkin’ and havin’ a party
But two doors down they’re not aware that I’m around
But here I am, cryin’ my heart out, feelin’ sorry
They’re havin’ a party just two doors down

I think I’ll dry these useless tears and get myself together
I think I’ll wander down the hall and have a look around
‘Cause I can’t stay inside this lonely room and cry forever
I think I’d really rather join ’em two doors down, yeah

Two doors down they’re laughin’ and drinkin’ and havin’ a party (Ooh)
But two doors down they’re not aware that I’m around
(Alright, now, hey hey)
But here I am, cryin’ my heart out, feelin’ sorry (Ooh, yeah baby)
They’re havin’ a party just two doors down

I can’t believe I’m standin’ here, dry-eyed, all smiles and talkin’
Making conversation with a new love I’ve found
And I ask him if he’d like to be alone and we’ start walkin’
Down the hall to my place waitin’ two doors down, yeah

Two doors down they’re laughin’ and drinkin’ and havin’ a party (Yeah baby)
Ttwo doors down they’re not aware that I’m around (Whoa)
Here I am, feelin’ everything but sorry (Sorry)
Havin’ our own party just two doors down (Yeah)

Oh, oh, oh, oh, two doors down, I’ll be there, yeah
Oh, oh, oh, oh, yeah, two doors down
Oh, oh, oh, oh, two doors down
Oh, oh, oh, oh, two doors down, yeah

Two doors down they’re laughin’ and drinkin’ and havin’ a party (Yeah)
Two doors down they’re not aware that I’m around
But here we am, feelin’ everything but sorry (Yeah, yeah, yeah, everything)
Havin’ our own party two doors down (Hey, yeah)

Havin’ our own party
Workin’ and drinkin’, baby
Havin’ a party
Two doors down
Two doors down they’re laughin’ and drinkin’ and havin’ a party
Havin’ our own party two doors down, woo
Two doors down we’re havin’ a party
Havin’ our own party two doors down
Party, party, party
Party, party, party
Havin’ our own party two doors down
I’ll be there
I’ll be there
Havin’ our own party two doors down
Two doors down
Laughin’ and drinkin’ and havin’ a party
Two doors down
Two doors down

written by John Lennon

The working relationship between David Foster and country/pop superstar Dolly Parton started in the second half of the seventies when the Hitman, already a top-list session man, played keyboards on some of Ms. Parton’s hit albums. Those recordings included Say Forever You’ll Be Mine that Ms. Parton recorded in 1975 with the late country artist Porter Wagoner (August 12, 1927 to October 28, 2007) and later on her own hit albums including Here You Come Again, Heartbreaker and Great Balls Of Fire. In 1984, Foster produced the platinum-plus Once Upon A Christmas that Ms. Parton recorded with country/pop superstar Kenny Rogers.

Then in the early nineties, the Canadian super-producer helmed a couple of elegant adult contemporary duets including “When You Tell Me That You Love Me” by Julio Iglesias and Ms. Parton and “The Day I Fell In Love” performed by the country music maven with r&b great, James Ingram. Foster was also instrumental in crafting the late Whitney Houston’s milestone version of Ms. Parton’s classic tune, “I Will Always Love You.” That timeless recording from the soundtrack of The Bodyguard became one of the best-selling singles in the history of popular music with approximately 4.5 million copies sold in the US alone.

In 2005, Foster appeared as guest piano player on Ms. Parton’s version of the late John Lennon’s (October 9, 1940 to December 8, 1980) masterpiece “Imagine” that was part of Ms. Parton’s album, Those Were The Days. That cd presented a string of memorable folk and pop classic covers from the sixties and seventies performed with a slew of guest artists including Kris Kristofferson, Roger McGuinn, Keith Urban, Cat Stevens and Alison Krauss. “Imagine” was the first single released from Those Were The Days. The classic Lennon melody was revived instrumentally with a country-flavored, adult contemporary arrangement based on Foster’s enchanting piano playing on top of a solid backing band. Ms. Parton’s vocal performance was extremely nice though, at moments, a tad over the top. The singer was supported by effective backing harmonies and the blending was top-notch. The end  result was a fitting tribute to the former Beatle’s art. Those Were The Days was a hit on the Country charts reaching #9 in the US and #1 in the UK . The album also reached the Top 50 on Billboard’s Top 200 at #48 and #35 on the UK pop albums chart.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Imagine-Dolly-Parton.mp3|titles=Image|artists=Dolly Parton]

Lead Vocals: Dolly Parton
Acoustic Piano: David Foster
Produced by Dolly Parton

Lyrics

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today…

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

written by John Jarvis

“Once Upon A Christmas” was released in 1984 by two legends of country/pop, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. It was also the first holiday-themed recording ever produced by David Foster. At the time, the Canadian producer worked with Rogers on chart topping hits like “We’ve Got Tonight,” “What About Me?” and “Crazy.”

Foster delivered that same catchy, adult contemporary approach to “Once Upon A Christmas” soaring the album to #12 on the Country charts, #31 on Billboard’s Top 200 and eventually certified multi-platinum. “Once Upon A Christmas” kept having consistent sales year after year to become one of the biggest Christmas albums of the eighties and it is a steady seller to this day.

“Once Upon A Christmas” also spawned a multi-format chart single with the romantic ballad, “The Greatest Gift Of All.” Written by renowned Nashville composer John Jarvis, “The Greatest Gift Of All” is a sweet love song with lyrics set on a peaceful Christmas eve and gently sung by Rogers and Parton. The duet benefits from Foster’s perfectly toned, radio-friendly production and his electric piano beautifully backs up the singers’ familiar voices. As the song develops, the producer’s thumbprints become more evident in the effective use of the orchestra and the evocative refrain that’s as Foster-ish as it can get. “The Greatest Gift Of All” eventually peaked at #81 on Billboard’s Hot 100, #53 on the Country chart and #40 Adult Contemporary chart.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/the_greatest_gift_of_all.mp3|titles=The Greatest Gift Of All|artists=Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton]

Lead Vocals: Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
Guitars: Michael Landau
Keyboards: David Foster
Drums: John Robinson & Paul Leim
Bass: Neil Stubenhaus & Dennis Belfield
Strings Arrangement by Jeremy Lubbock

Produced by David Foster & Kenny Rogers

Lyrics

Dawn is slowly breaking our friends have all gone home
You and I are waiting for Santa Claus to come
There’s a present by the tree stockings on the wall
Knowing you’re in love with me is the greatest gift of all
The fire is slowly fading chill is in the air
All the gifts are waiting for children everywhere
Through the window I can see snow begin to fall
Knowing you’re in love with me is the greatest gift of all
Just before I go to sleep I hear a church bell ring
Merry Christmas everyone is the song it sings
So I Play a silent prayer for creatures great and small
Peace on earth good will to men is the greatest gift of all
Peace on earth good will to men is the greatest gift of all

written by Carole Bayer Sager, James Ingram & Clif Magness

If you are among the many music fans who love David Foster’s unique productions of lush, romantic ballads, you have to listen to “The Day I Fall In Love” from the soundtrack of the  1993 movie, “Beethoven’s 2nd.”

Co-written by the legendary Carole Bayer Sager with r&b great James Ingram and talented songwriter Clif Magness, “The Day I Fall In Love” is a tender love duet between Ingram and country/pop icon, Dolly Parton. Foster’s evocative instrumental arrangement based on keyboards, synths and rich strings perfectly backs up the singers’ intense vocal performances in a beautiful crescendo also enhanced by Michael Thompson’s superior guitar playing.
“The Day I Fall In Love” was only a minor hit on the Adult Contemporary chart reaching #36 but its top notch quality was recognized with nominations on the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the Grammy Awards as Best Song From A Motion Picture.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/the_day_i_fall_in_love.mp3|titles=The Day I Fall In Love|artists=James Ingram & Dolly Parton]

Lead Vocals: James Ingram & Dolly Parton
Keyboards: David Foster
Guitar: Michael Thompson
Programmino: Claude Gaudette

Strings Arrangement by Jeremy Lubbock
Produced & Arranged by David Foster

Lyrics

Just an ordinary day
Started out the same old way
Then I looked into your eyes and knew
Today would be a first for me
The day I fall in love

On the day I fall in love
Sky will be a perfect blue
And I’ll give my heart forever more
To someone who is just like you
The day I fall in love

People all say love is wonderful
That the bells will ring
The birds will sing
The skies will open
I wonder where’s that great big symphony
Roll over Beethoven
Won’t you play with me

And I’ll never promise to be true to anyone
Unless it’s you
Unless it’s you
The day I fall in love

People all say love is wonderful
Love is wonderful
That the bells will ring
The birds will sing
The skies will open
I wonder where’s that great big symphony
I’ll be a Beethoven
Roll over Beethoven
Come play with me

Just an ordinary day
Started out the same old way
Then I looked into your eyes and knew
Today would be
A first for me
A first for me
The day I fall in love
I know you’ll be there
Ooh….I know…
The day I fall in love

Dolly Parton’s “1977 album, “Here You Come Again,” won the country music queen great attention and success from the adult contemporary and pop music audiences. That #1, platinum selling album still kept her country overtones yet mellowed them with delicious pop arrangements and high tech production. Gary Klein was at the helm and brought in the best players around like Jay Graydon, Dean Parks (also responsible for the inventive rhythm arrangements) and David Foster. Although Foster was a fixture on Parton’s albums of the late Seventies, he really left his mark on “Here You Come Again”. His now classic, flowing acoustic piano/fender Rhodes-mixed sound originated from this recording.

“Here You Come Again” included several Parton compositions like “Two Doors Down” that scored big on both the country and pop charts. The record also presented a few songs written by household names like Kenny Rogers and John Sebastian. The best of those covers is the ear candy title track co-written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. This up-tempo ditty was released as the first single and reached #1 on the country charts, #2 on adult contemporary chart and #3 on the pop charts. It sports an irresistible beat and memorable refrain that give Parton plenty of room to shine with her trademark vocals. Foster’s keys and Graydon’s guitar are also at the top of their game on this one. “Here You Come Again” would go on to help win Parton a Grammy in 1978 for Best Female Country Vocal Performance.

Listen

[audio:https://www.fozfan.com/archives/clips/here_you_come_again.mp3|titles=Here you come again|artists=Dolly Parton]

Lead Vocals: Dolly Parton
Keyboards & Synthesizer: David Foster
Guitar: Dean Parks & Jay Graydon
Drums: Ed Greene
Bass: David Hungate
Synthesizer Programming: Ian Underwood
Vocal & Strings Arrangements: Nick De Caro
Rhythm Arrangements: Dean Parks
Produced by Gary Klein

Lyrics

Here you come again
Just when I’ve begun to get myself together
You waltz right in the door
Just like you’ve done before
And wrap my heart ’round your little finger

Here you come again
Just when I’m about to make it work without you
You look into my eyes
And lie those pretty lies
And pretty soon I’m wonderin’ how I came to doubt you

All you have to do is smile that smile
And there go all my defenses
Just leave it up to you and in a little while
You’re messin’ up my mind and fillin’ up my senses

Here you come again
Lookin’ better than a body has a right to
And shakin’ me up so that all I really know
Is here you come again …
And here I go

[break]

All you have to do is smile that smile
And there go all my defenses
Just leave it up to you and in a little while
You’re messin’ up my mind and fillin’ up my senses

Here you come again
Lookin’ better than a body has a right to
And shakin’ me up so that all I really know
Is here you come again …
And here I go (here you come again)

Here I go
Here I go (here you come again)
And here I go
Here I go (here you come again)
Here I go
Here I go (here you come again)
Here I go