“I Will Always Love You” was supposed to be a beautiful duet between two influential singers, but it turned out to be a very successful single for country music legend Dolly Parton!
One of the most well-known ballad’s written in the 1970’s started with a stumble. You see, Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” was supposed to be a duet between the popular songstress and Elvis Presley. ‘The King’ ultimately declined the recording due to the lack of publishing rights Parton was willing to give him. He wanted half, she declined.
The loss of Presley’s vocals initially bruised Parton’s heart and she ended up recording the tribute to her former mentor Porter Wagoner solo.
The song’s interesting backstory is featured in Ray Padgett’s new book, Cover Me: The Stories Behind the Greatest Cover Songs of All Time. As we all know, the track really hit ‘next level’ when Whitney Houston covered the tune and it served as the lead single on The Bodyguard soundtrack album.
Padgett points out that Dolly indeed had the last laugh in regards to her and Presley’s disagreement. “When Whitney Houston came out,” Dolly said of the singer’s cover, “I had enough money to buy Graceland.”
Watch Dolly Parton as shares the story that inspired “Jolene” and reveals why she wouldn’t let Elvis sing “I Will Always Love You” on Late Night with Seth Meyers!
Song Lyrics
If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I’ll go but I know
I’ll think of you every step of the way
And I will always love you
I will always love you
You
My darling, you
Bittersweet memories
That is all I’m taking with me
So good-bye
Please don’t cry
We both know I’m not what you, you need
And I will always love you
I will always love you
You
I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you’ve dreamed of
And I wish you joy and happiness
But above all this I wish you love
And I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I, I will always love you
