Dolly Parton Sings "So You Ask Me Not To Wear Cologne" {Cultural Notes}
Dolly Parton just released her latest album entitled Backwoods Barbie. Thanks to a tip from Kit who studies Irish Folklore and while chatting over pop culture and perfume, we learned that Dolly wrote a song called Cologne in this album. She actually herself produced a signature fragrance in the past.
Perfume here is used as a motif to illustrate the vulnerability of illicit love, it is the giveaway clue, and the woman in love is the scent that cannot be taken home. We give you Mrs. Dolly Parton (more lyrics after the jump),
You ask me not to wear cologne
She’ll know you’ve been with me alone
And you can’t take our secret home
So you ask me not to wear cologne
You can wipe the make up off
The lipstick or a little gloss
But fragrance lingers on and on
So you ask me not to wear cologne
You leave my bed and go to hers
Leaving me alone and hurt
I love you whether right or wrong
And you ask me not to wear cologne
I’m not out to hurt someone
Not you, not her, not any one
But I got heartaches of my own
Why, I can’t even wear cologne
Oh but I never meant for this to be
It wasn’t in my heart to cheat
Love has a nature all it's own
So I willingly gave up cologne
And every time you come to me
I realize I’m in too deep
I know you love us both and I keep holding on
You ask me not to wear cologne
You say, “Don’t wear cologne”
Oh now what am I ever gonna do
Cause I am so in love with you
I know you love us both
But where do I belong
You ask me not to wear cologne
You ask me not to wear cologne
She’ll know you’ve been with me alone
And you can’t take our secret home
So you ask me not to wear cologne
How do I walk away from the greatest love I’ve known
You ask me not to wear cologne
Oh you ask me not to wear cologne
You ask me not to wear cologne
She’ll know you’ve been with me alone
And I’m a scent you can’t take home
But will I ever get to wear cologne
