"Better Get to Livin'" is the first single from Dolly Parton's album, Backwoods Barbie, and was released on August 28, 2007. It was the first single released by Parton's own record label, Dolly Records. An upbeat country pop song, its lyrics deal with keeping a positive attitude and overcoming negative emotions. The song garnered positive reviews from critics and reached number 48 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. A video for the song, featuring Parton and Amy Sedaris, was released later that year.

The idea for the song came from Parton's co-producer and band leader Kent Wells, who co-wrote the song with her. According to Parton, Wells suggested that she write a song about her attitude since so many people ask what the secret to her happiness is. According to Parton, the song is about coping with the pressures of life and trying to keep a positive outlook in the midst of difficult times:

"I think life has always been a pressure cooker. People react to whatever pressures they’re under at the time according to their tolerance level and their mental attitude. Certainly with so much attention today on being skinny and beautiful, rich and famous, equal pay for equal work, getting ahead, raising kids, holding down a job, getting older, etc., well I think this song says some things to let people know they’re not the only ones in that fix. And this song offers some advice for a way out."

Parton recruited acclaimed gospel singers Sonya Isaacs and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman to provide backing vocals for the song.

Critics gave the song positive reviews. Jac Chebatoris of Newsweek considered it "the CD's standout tune", and remarked that Parton's voice on the track is "still powerful and clear after all these years."Allmusic was somewhat less enthusiastic, deeming the song "cloyingly wise", but "catchy enough". Chris Jones, writing for the BBC's online service, remarked on the song's feminist undertones, characterizing it as "a strident ode to the lessons that Parton's learned in a lifetime spent in an arena where men most definitely are men and women are expected to be grateful."

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