Dolly Parton is a prolific songwriter, and in a single day in 1973, she penned two songs that would become classics: “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You.” While “Jolene” is famously associated with Parton, “I Will Always Love You,” despite its profound impact on love and heartbreak for decades, is often mistakenly attributed solely to Whitney Houston, whose 1992 cover for The Bodyguard soundtrack propelled it to global fame.
When Dolly Parton celebrated the 50th anniversary of “her song” on Instagram, many fans expressed surprise, confessing they hadn’t realized she was the original artist. This revelation underscores the fascinating journey of “I Will Always Love You,” a song that began as a heartfelt goodbye and transformed into a timeless declaration of enduring affection. From Elvis Presley’s near-cover to Parton’s savvy business decisions regarding its rights, and finally, to Whitney Houston’s breathtaking rendition, the story of “I Will Always Love You” is as captivating as the song itself.
From Nashville Farewell to Timeless Love Song: The Origin of “I Will Always Love You”
The emotional depth of Dolly Parton’s original “I Will Always Love You” stems from its deeply personal origins. In 1964, Parton moved from rural Tennessee to Nashville, pursuing her musical dreams. After some initial struggles, she gained recognition through collaborations, notably with singer Bill Phillips and later with country star Porter Wagoner. Wagoner invited Parton to join his TV show, a pivotal moment that led to a successful musical partnership and signed her to his label.
Their duet cover of Tom Paxton’s “The Last Thing on My Mind” in 1968 marked the beginning of their formidable musical journey. However, by 1973, Parton felt the need to step into her own spotlight. As she shared with DJ Howard Stern in 2023, “I had come to Nashville to be my own star… I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life being a girl singer. I knew my destiny.”
The challenge was conveying this to Wagoner, her mentor and collaborator. Parton described the emotional turmoil: “How am I going to make him understand how much I appreciate everything, but that I have to go?” Her solution was characteristically songwriting. “I thought, well, what do you do best? You write songs. So I sat down and I wrote this song.”
Thus, “I Will Always Love You” was conceived – a song of gratitude intertwined with the firm resolve to pursue her solo path. The next morning, Parton played the song for Wagoner in his office, just her and her guitar. Wagoner, moved to tears, recognized the song’s power and, while saddened by her departure, offered to produce it.
Marc Lee, in his analysis for the Financial Times’ “Life of a Song,” aptly describes the track as “an extraordinarily heart-rending blend of silky fragility and searing intensity.” He highlights its unique duality: it’s a farewell, yet simultaneously, a declaration of an unbreakable emotional bond.
Elvis Presley’s Missed Opportunity: A Pivotal Moment for “I Will Always Love You”
By 1974, both “I Will Always Love You” and “Jolene” had reached number one on the US country charts, establishing Parton’s crossover appeal. Then came a call from Elvis Presley. He wanted to cover “I Will Always Love You.” Parton was ecstatic, believing it to be “the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me as a songwriter.”
However, the excitement was short-lived. The night before the recording session, Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, contacted Parton with a demand: Presley would record the song only if Parton ceded half of the songwriting publishing rights to him. Demonstrating the same business acumen that fueled her solo ambitions, Parton refused. “I said, ‘I can’t do that’,” she recounted to Howard Stern, admitting to a tearful night over the lost opportunity.
In retrospect, Parton’s refusal, though painful at the time, proved to be a financially sound decision. While the allure of an Elvis Presley version remains a tantalizing “what if,” retaining her publishing rights ultimately paved the way for even greater success.
From Silver Screen to Global Anthem: Whitney Houston’s “The Bodyguard” Version
Years later, “I Will Always Love You” found its way to Hollywood. In 1975, Lawrence Kasdan penned The Bodyguard, a screenplay centered on a romance between a pop star and her security agent. It took 17 years for the film to materialize, starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston in 1992.
Whitney Houston as Rachel Marron in The Bodyguard, singing I Will Always Love You
Interestingly, Parton herself had previously performed “I Will Always Love You” in the 1982 film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. This re-recording topped the Billboard country chart, but didn’t achieve mainstream pop success. For The Bodyguard, Kevin Costner suggested Houston consider a country song. Despite initial skepticism, a demo tape including Linda Ronstadt’s 1975 cover of Parton’s ballad was created. Producer David Foster reimagined the song, creating the powerful, soaring arrangement that perfectly showcased Houston’s vocal prowess.
Whitney Houston, acknowledging Parton’s songwriting and singing talent in Rolling Stone, expressed her concern about Parton’s reaction to her cover. She was relieved and deeply touched when Parton declared herself “floored” by Houston’s rendition.
Marc Lee notes the contrasting yet equally impactful nature of both versions: “Parton’s recording has an understated purity and authenticity… Houston’s version is similarly affecting but delivered on a vastly different scale.” Houston’s version, beginning with an a cappella intro (another Costner suggestion), builds to a crescendo, unleashing Houston’s phenomenal voice in the final verse and note. Lee aptly compares it to “a monumental power ballad that summons all the energy of a plane taking off.”
Parton herself was driving home when she first heard Houston’s version on the radio. Overwhelmed, she had to pull over, amazed at the transformation of her “little country sad song.”
Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” became a global phenomenon, dominating charts worldwide, spending 10 weeks at number one in the UK and an astounding 14 weeks atop the US Billboard charts. It earned the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1994 and sold over 20 million copies globally.
The financial success was equally remarkable. Reportedly, Parton earned over $10 million in royalties from Houston’s cover in the 1990s alone. In a touching tribute to Houston, Parton invested a portion of these royalties in a Black neighborhood in Nashville, honoring Houston’s legacy.
The song’s cultural impact persists. Even today, its emotional power is undeniable, sometimes leading to enthusiastic (and occasionally disruptive) singalongs at performances, as evidenced by a recent incident during a Bodyguard theatrical production.
As for the “lost” Elvis cover, speculation remains about how he might have interpreted “I Will Always Love You.” Marc Lee suggests he would have approached it with “subtlety and vocal restraint,” similar to his covers of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” and “Unchained Melody.” AI-generated fan versions offer a glimpse into this possibility.
Ultimately, “I Will Always Love You,” regardless of the artist, remains a testament to enduring love and heartfelt farewells. From Dolly Parton’s personal goodbye to Porter Wagoner to Whitney Houston’s iconic power ballad, the song’s journey is a story of musical evolution and lasting emotional resonance. So, take a moment, turn up the volume, and appreciate the enduring magic of “I Will Always Love You,” a song for Dolly, Whitney, and everyone who has ever loved and had to say goodbye.
