I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU”: THE FAREWELL DOLLY PARTON WROTE FOR A MAN — BUT NOT AS A LOVE SONG
Decades before Whitney Houston turned “I Will Always Love You” into one of the most famous ballads in music history, Dolly Parton had already given those words a much more personal meaning: a heartfelt goodbye to a professional partner who had helped change her life.
The story began in the early 1970s. After spending several years working alongside Porter Wagoner on The Porter Wagoner Show, Parton decided it was time to leave the program and build her career as a solo artist. The decision was not easy. Wagoner had played an important role in introducing Dolly to a wider country audience, but she knew she needed to step out on her own.
Background
🎙️ Instead of trying to explain everything in conversation, Dolly did what she knew best: she wrote a song.
That song became “I Will Always Love You.”
Although millions of listeners have long interpreted it as a romantic breakup ballad, its original inspiration was very different. The song was written as a message of gratitude and farewell to Wagoner — a way of saying that leaving did not erase the affection, respect, or memories they had shared.
The original recording appeared on Dolly’s 1974 album Jolene and climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard country chart. Remarkably, Dolly later recorded the song again for the 1982 film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, and the new version also reached No. 1. That rare achievement helped make the song an even more important part of her country legacy.
Introduction
✨ But another chapter in the song’s history has become legendary.
Elvis Presley wanted to record it. Dolly was excited by the idea until she learned that Elvis’ management traditionally required a share of the publishing rights. Parton refused to give up ownership of the song. It was a difficult business decision at the time, but it would later prove enormously important.
Then came 1992.
Whitney Houston recorded “I Will Always Love You” for The Bodyguard, transforming Dolly’s quiet country farewell into a worldwide phenomenon. Houston’s version spent 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, introducing the song to an entirely new generation.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
If I should stayI would only be in your waySo I’ll go, but I knowI’ll think of you each step of the wayAnd I will always love youI will always love youBitter-sweet memoriesThat’s all I am taking with meGoodbye, please don’t cryWe both know that I’m notWhat you needAnd I will always love youI will always love youI hope life treats you kindAnd I hope that you have allThat you ever dreamed ofAnd I wish you joyAnd happinessBut above all of thisI wish you loveAnd I will always love youI will always love youI will always love you