Wildflowers

Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Trio, Linda Ronstadt

About Wildflowers

"Wildflowers" is a song written by Dolly Parton, which was included on the Grammy-winning, multi-Platinum 1987 album Trio with Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt. In the song, Parton talks about being restless and wanting to branch out, using wildflowers as a metaphor, concluding that "wildflowers don't care where they grow". The original recording featured an autoharp, acoustic guitar (played by Harris) and fiddle, and was arranged to sound like an old fashioned Appalachian folk song. It was the fourth single released from the Trio album, and reached #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in July 1988. In 2008, the recording was played at a reception by the Texas State Democratic Party, honoring former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. Johnson's love of wild flowers was well known, and she had long championed the planting of them along the U. S. highways. 


Year:
1987
23 

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The hills were alive with wildflowers and I
Was as wild, even wilder than they
For at least I could run
They just died in the sun
And I refused to just wither in place

Just a wild mountain rose
Needing freedom to grow
So I ran fearing not where I'd go
When a flower grows wild
It can always survive
Wildflowers don't care where they grow

And the flowers I knew
In the fields where I grew
Were content to be lost in the crowd
They were common and close
I had no room for growth
And I wanted so much to branch out

So I uprooted myself from my home ground and left
Took my dreams and I took to the road
When a flower grows wild
It can always survive
Wildflowers don't care where they grow

I grew up fast and wild
And I never felt right
In a garden so different from me
I just never belonged
I just longed to be gone
So the garden one day set me free

I hitched a ride with the wind
And since he was my friend
I just let him decide where we'd go
When a flower grows wild
It can always survive
Wildflowers don't care where they grow

Just a wild rambling rose seeking mysteries untold
No regret for the path that I chose
When a flower grows wild
It can always survive
Wildflowers don't care where they grow

Wildflowers don't care where they grow

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Emmylou Harris

Emmylou Harris (born April 2, 1947) is an American singer-songwriter and musician. She has released many chart-topping albums and singles over the course of her career, and has won 12 Grammys and numerous other awards. more »

12 fans

Written by: Dolly Parton

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release Date
"Wildflowers" by Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt was released in 1999 as part of their collaborative "Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions" album.
Not original
The song is actually a cover of a Dolly Parton melody by the same name that appeared on her 1987 album "Trio," which also featured performances by Harris and Ronstadt.
Collaboration
This was not the first collaboration between Emmylou Harris and Linda Ronstadt; they had collaborated on numerous projects before, including the original "Trio" album with Dolly Parton in 1987.
Critical Acclaim
"Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions," the album on which "Wildflowers" appeared, was nominated for several Grammy Awards and is generally considered one of the best collaborations between Harris and Ronstadt.
Musical Genre
"Wildflowers" is a song that combines folk, country, and bluegrass elements, demonstrating both singers' grounding in traditional American music.
Lyric Themes
In this song, both singers suggest a longing for freedom, simplicity, and authenticity, themes often found in both of their collective works.
Recording Location
The album "Western Wall: The Tucson Sessions," including the song "Wildflowers," was recorded at Arizona's WaveLab Studio.
Cohesive Sound
Despite the difference in their vocal styles — Harris has a delicate, ethereal voice while Ronstadt has a powerful, belting voice — the two manage to harmonize perfectly on "Wildflowers."
Instruments
Apart from the vocal brilliance of Harris and Ronstadt, the song also features delicate guitar work that adds to its overall nostalgic and poignant mood.
Musical Influence
The album, including "Wildflowers," is known for its influence on many subsequent country and folk artists, demonstrating the long-lasting impact of Harris and Ronstadt's work.

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