In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad)
Dolly Parton · 1969
29 min · 12 tracks · country music
A blend of heartfelt storytelling and traditional instrumentation, highlighting the struggles and joys of everyday life.
Top tracks — play these first
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Don’t Let It Trouble Your Mind Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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D‐I‐V‐O‐R‐C‐E — This track's clever spelling of divorce captures the societal stigma around the topic while presenting it with both sensitivity and humor, making it memorable.
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In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) — The title track reflects on nostalgia mixed with contemporary struggles, showcasing Parton's ability to weave personal and relatable narratives.
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Mama Say a Prayer — This poignant song conveys vulnerability and hope, illustrating Parton's skill at expressing deep emotional resonance through simple yet powerful lyrics.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases Dolly Parton's songwriting and vocal style but has uneven pacing and cohesion.
What we noticed
- Several tracks utilize a call-and-response vocal style, enhancing the emotional connection to the themes presented.
- The pacing varies significantly, with some songs maintaining a steady tempo while others shift to slower ballads that emphasize lyrical content.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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4/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short storytelling bursts
- warm vocals for cozy moments
- nostalgic reflections on life
- easy sing-alongs with friends
Maybe skip if you
- prefer lengthy immersive albums
- seek high-energy party tracks
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album helped establish Dolly's reputation as a solo artist with commercial success.
- Themes
- nostalgic reflections· small-town struggles· divorce stigma
- Career context
- Released on February 3, 1969, this album marked Dolly Parton's transition from a successful songwriter to a prominent solo artist. It followed her debut album, 'Hello, I'm Dolly', which had laid the groundwork for her burgeoning career in country music. This release solidified her presence in the genre and showcased her distinctive voice and songwriting prowess.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Emmylou Harris· Linda Ronstadt· Patsy Cline
Tracklist
- 1 Don’t Let It Trouble Your Mind Start here 2:14
- 2 He’s a Go Getter 2:05
- 3 In the Good Old Days (When Times Were Bad) 2:47
- 4 It’s My Time 2:39
- 5 Harper Valley P.T.A. 3:12
- 6 Little Bird 1:46
- 7 Mine 2:05
- 8 The Carroll County Accident 2:58
- 9 Fresh Out of Forgiveness 2:03
- 10 Mama Say a Prayer 2:47
- 11 Always the First Time 2:03
- 12 D‐I‐V‐O‐R‐C‐E 2:42
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Pieces of the Sky
Emmylou Harris
Similar storytelling depth and traditional country instrumentation with emotional resonance.
Sweet Revenge
John Prine
Shares a narrative focus on everyday life and small-town struggles, delivered with wit and warmth.
Coal Miner's Daughter
Loretta Lynn
Explores themes of nostalgia and personal history through a blend of country and folk storytelling.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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