Dolly Parton and Carl Dean have been married for more than 50 years now. The two have faced more challenges in their life together as compared to other country music couple. Parton has drawn a lot of song inspiration in writing her songs from her longtime relationship with her husband and one that stands out is her 1968 track “Just Because I’m a Woman.”
Dolly Parton Demands for Equality
In the time where most women are still not being treated fairly, Dolly Parton led the way for them to be heard. This 1968 track from the singer was ahead of its time as it championed the rights of women to be treated fairly. It was not a big hit even if it was a song from Dolly because radio stations withheld the airplay.
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Whether it became a huge hit or not, the message of the song is very important and the story behind it will make us respect Dolly all the more. She shared:
“When I was first married, Carl and I were very happy. Then eight months in he suddenly asked me whether I’d been with anyone else before we got together. I told him I had and he was so upset, he had a hard time getting over it. That’s why I wrote it: ‘My mistakes are no worse than yours, just because I’m a woman.’ Carl hates for me to tell the story, but I say to him, I’ve got to tell the truth, don’t I?”
The song really gave an empowering message to all its listeners back then and even now. It is right to claim that there should be no double standards when it comes to gender. Just because someone is a woman does not mean that they should be treated in a demeaning way. If we can move past that, we would all be living in a better world and isn’t that what we all want?
Yes, I’ve made my mistakes
But listen and understand
My mistakes are no worse than yours
Just because I’m a woman
Listen to Dolly Parton’s song here: