Dolly Parton's 1975 single The Bargain Store was banned from radio airplay by DJs who deemed its lyrics "suggestive," yet the track still went on to top the country chart.
In her book Dolly Parton, Songteller: My Life in Lyrics, the country legend, who has died aged 80, recalled how DJs refused to play the song because certain lyrics were considered "dirty" or "too strongly worded for some conservative country music broadcasters." Lines such as "you can easily afford the price" were widely suspected to be a veiled reference to prostitution.
Lyrics seen as too provocative
The lyrics read: "The bargain store is open, come inside. You can easily afford the price. Love is all you need to purchase all the merchandise. And I can guarantee you'll be completely satisfied."
Addressing in her book why the track was prohibited from numerous stations, Parton said: "When I wrote 'The Bargain Store,' I swear on my life that I was never thinking about love in any vulgar way. Somehow, this lyric is a dirty thing to a man. But I never saw it that way. Every man I know thinks it's dirty."
Parton's explanation of the song's meaning
Parton went on to clarify that she used the word "bargain" as a metaphor for a potential relationship. She said: "All I was thinking of was the heart: 'If you don't mind the merchandise is slightly used, with a little mending it can be good as new.'"
"I was saying that you'll be surprised at how good this broken heart is. Just take it. You'll never be sorry that you did. The words just meant that I've had relationships: I've been through stuff; I'm not new at this," she continued.
"I thought for sure that I had written a hit song," Parton added. "And then the disc jockeys wouldn't play it."
Chart success and Parton's final days
Yet the track eventually began receiving airplay and The Bargain Store climbed all the way to the top spot, securing a coveted No. 1 position on the charts. It marked Parton's fifth number one on the country chart as a solo artist, where it remained for nine weeks.
Parton's death was confirmed on August 26. She died at the age of 80, a little short of 18 months on from the death of her beloved husband of nearly six decades, Carl Dean. According to reports, Parton was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville with kidney and autoimmune issues before her death. Just days before she died, she had opened up about her health to People magazine, admitting: "I am dealing with some health issues that I just didn't pay attention to when I was watching over Carl."
