In an interview with '' Billboard '' , it was noted that the songs on the album are thematically linked , in that they are all inspirational . Parton replied with , " We actually did demo a lot of songs for this ... and it seemed that with everything being so doomsday-terrorists and bad weather and unemployment-we need a little sunshine . ... I wanted to do something people would want to hear . " The National Post mentioned that " '' Better Day '' was inspired in part , Parton says , by such disparate world problems as the Japanese tsunami , the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and America ’s economic crisis " . Parton added with , “ I do n't write just to relieve my own anxieties , I write for the people who ca n't express themselves . ” Finishing with , “ I ca n't save the world , but I might be able to save someone today if I can put them in a better mood . The music ’s designed to be like a ray of sunshine for all those folks in the dark . ” The first single from the album , " Together You and I , " was premiered on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on May 27 , 2011 . Parton has already begun promotion of the tour and album , including across the BBC and ITV in the United Kingdom in April 2011 . The album was released on CD , vinyl and digital download
the Japanese tsunami
2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
Better Day (album)