Dolly Parton – Single women, is a song, written by Saturday Night Live writer Michael O’Donoghue. The song, was originally performed during an SNL sketch by Christine Ebersole on the October 10, 1981 broadcast, and was later recorded by Dolly Parton for her 1982 Heartbreak Express album. Released as the album’s first single in February 1982, it reached number 8 on the U.S. country singles chart in April 1982.
The Parton version of the song featured somewhat reworked lyrics, as RCA requested she eliminate the drug references, fearful that they would cause the song to meet resistance on country radio. The song later inspired a 1984 TV movie titled Single Bars, Single Women, starring Shelley Hack, Paul Michael Glaser, Mare Winningham, and Tony Danza, which was produced by O’Donoghue. An abbreviated version of Parton’s recording of the song was used as the movie’s theme song.
Dolly Parton – Single women
From the album Heartbreak Express
B-side “Barbara on Your Mind”
Released February 1, 1982
Recorded 1981
Genre Country
Length 3:46
Label RCA
Songwriter(s) Michael O’Donoghue
Producer(s) Greg Perry
Dolly Parton – Single women Lyrics
Single bars and single women
With a single thought in mind
Just to make it till the morning
Looking for what they can find
For a man they won’t remember
For a night they can’t forget
Do you come to this place often?
May I light your cigarette?
Drinkin’ beer in Amarillo
Passing time and swaping jokes
Hoping for a new beginning
But beginning to lose hope
And you’re waiting for that moment
When a glance becomes a stare
Mmm, what’s that perfume that you’re wearing?
Haven’t I met you somewhere?
Find a matchbook in the morning
With a name and number scrawled
When you phone, a woman answers
And you wish you’d never called
Oh, they’re friendly when they meet you
But they’re strangers when they go
Ahh, do you mind if I come join you?
Would you like to dance one more?
And it’s gettin’ near to closing
And the seconds pass like years
Lots of friends to share the laughter
Not a one to share the tears
Oh and you wish they’d change that juke box
Cause you know every song it plays
Can I drop you off at my place?
Oh, what’s the matter, are you gay?
You gotta twenty in your pocket
Got your toothbrush in your purse
Life could get a whole lot better
But it better not get worse
Single bars and single women
With a single thought in mind
Just to make it till the morning
Looking for what they can find
