The Dolly Parton Vinyl Memories returns to 1974 with her ever-so-popular song, "I Will Always Love You." Written in 1973 for Parton's one-time partner and mentor, Portner Wagner, from whom she was separating professionally at the time to pursue a solo career.
"I Will Always Love You" was a significant success. It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart twice, once in 1974 when it was originally released and again in 1982 when it was re-recorded for the soundtrack of "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas", making Dolly the first artist ever to earn a No. 1 record twice with the same song.
The song gained even more popularity when it was covered by Whitney Houston for the 1992 film "The Bodyguard". Houston's version spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time. It remains one of the best-known cover versions of the song, demonstrating its enduring appeal.
Author Ken Knight commented that Parton is the only singer who can sing "I Will Always Love You" and "make it memorable". I certainly agree with him on that take.
Others have done well with her song but they never understood the true meaning of the words as Dolly did when she wrote the song.
After being re-released in 1982, the song was used in the movie "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas"
and again was a number-one song on the Hot Country Songs chart. That's
how Dolly became the first artist ever to earn a number one record twice
with the same song.
And, of course, when Whitney Houston turned the song into a mega hit in 1992, Dolly again had a number one song as a songwriter for the third time. When Whitney Houston died in 2012 Dolly shared her personal thoughts.
"I
will always have a very special piece of her in the song we shared
together and had the good fortune to share with the world. Rest in
peace, Whitney. Again, we will always love you."
Please enjoy this wonderful video of Dolly and understand why Ken Knight said what he did above about the way Dolly sings this song like no one else can.
Dolly Parton Lyrics
"I Will Always Love You"
Written by Dolly Parton
If I should stay
Well, I would only be in your way
And so I'll go, and yet I know
That I'll think of you each step of my way
And I will always love you
I will always love you
Bitter-sweet memories
That's all I have, and all I'm taking with me
Good-bye, oh, please don't cry
'Cause we both know that I'm not
What you need
But I will always love you
I will always love you
(spoken)
And I hope life, will treat you kind
And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of
Oh, I do wish you joy
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
I love you, I will always love
I will always, always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
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