Dolly Parton began her musical career in earnest in 1967 when she was invited to join The Porter Wagner Show. At this point she had no record contract and was not not well-liked by the studio audience of the program who longed for the previous singer, Norma Jean, whose spot Dolly had filled. Sometimes the crowd even chanted for Dolly’s predecessor while she was on stage, knowing full well that this was a demoralizing move. However, both Dolly Parton and Porter Wagner stuck with it and eventually Dolly became even more popular than anyone could have imagined and later that year relased her first album.

“If Teardrops Were Pennies” is one of those songs that just brings you right back to a simpler time and makes you feel happy again (despite the sad lyrics). Written in 1951, the song had been a hit for such classic singers as Carl Smith and Rosemary Clooney. Have a listen to Dolly Parton and Porter Wagner performing this song from 1973 on Wagner’s TV show in the clip below.

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