Asking me to pick one DOLLY PARTON song as my favorite is like asking MERYL STREEP to choose which child should live in SOPHiE’S CHOiCE. How can you? DOLLY has often likened the feelings she has about her own incredibly large catalogue of music, to the feelings a mother has towards each of her own children. In this sense, DOLLY has a lot of kids, some remarkable, and others not as notable. I’ve also grown attached to DOLLY’S songs like they are my loved ones. Although I’m not actually the mother and I haven’t given birth to any, I feel such a deep connection to these songs that I could, at least be considered an Uncle. Each has special meaning, which I believe is a true testament to her gift as a writer and storyteller. However, for the sake of today I would have to choose LiGHT of a CLEAR BLUE MORNiNG. Maybe it is because the lyrics sound like they could have been lifted from the scribbling of my own journals. Figuratively speaking it evokes a feeling of clouds lifting after an emotional torrential rain – transcending complete and utter pain. We’ve all been there. Nonetheless I know that when you are actually in a crisis as painful as that, it truly can be challenging to think about things ever being different. Or better again. For one to feel they have survived darkness to see the ‘light of a clear blue morning’, is universal. It’s also a gift. Once I made the connection between my own life and the meaning of the song, it couldn’t help but stand out from that point. Plus I’m also a sucker for triumphant recovery, which is ultimately what LiGHT of a CLEAR BLUE MORNiNG represents to me – triumphant recovery. And don’t even get me started on the beauty of her voice.
