Remember When Dolly Parton Wrote a Song About Fried Clams? Neither Did We

Dolly Parton began playing music at the young age of 11 years old, and went on to become one of the most decorated artists of the 20th Century. She’s had a legendary career spanning over 60 years, with 65 studio albums. 44 of those albums entered the Top 10 on music charts, and she’s had over 110 charted singles in her career. Dolly’s songwriting played a huge role in her success, as she’s written the majority of her own hits.

When inspiration to write a song strikes you, a songwriter must see it through. The inspiration behind this 1978 hit song may surprise you.

“Two Doors Down” Is About Missing Out on Fried Clams

It may sound silly, but it’s true. In a 2023 interview on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Dolly discussed some of her greatest hits. On the topic of her 1978 hit song “Two Doors Down,” Dolly explained she was on a liquid diet at the time, and felt left out while the band was enjoying fried clams.

“We used to stay at the Howard Johnson’s Motor Lodge, the band did back when we’d travel in the early days. They had this restaurant there, and they had these fried clams. We couldn’t wait to stop to go to Howard Johnson’s. Even if we weren’t staying over, we’d stop to eat the fried clams. We were staying over, and I was on that stupid liquid protein diet. The band was down in the kitchen, and I was in my room. I could hear them all laughing and talking.”

Listening in on the fun, Dolly began singing the lines “Two doors down, they’re laughing, and drinking, and having a party / Two doors down, they’re not aware that I’m around / But here I am just crying my heart out, feeling sorry / Having a party just two doors down.”

She took the feeling of missing out and turned it into a hit song. That’s the brilliance of Dolly Parton. She missed out on some fried clams, but wrote a timeless classic instead.

Though Dolly doesn’t tour anymore, she still performs to this day. In late 2025, she cancelled her six-show residency in Las Vegas due to health concerns. Many people jumped the gun and took to social media with memorials to the singer. Dolly responded brilliantly, declaring “I’m not dead yet!” on her social media accounts.

(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)