Meaning of I Will Always Love You & The Story Behind

Before talking about the story of the creation of the legendary song I Will Always Love You, let’s debunk a few myths.

It was not written for the film “The Bodyguard”, and ten years before the release of the cult melodrama, it sounded in another picture.
It was not composed and first performed by Whitney Houston.
Moreover, it was not originally intended that Whitney would sing it.
And most importantly: This Is not A Love Song.

Now let’s go in order.

The story of the creation of the song I Will Always Love You

The words and music of the composition were written by the famous country singer Dolly Parton.

She wrote the song when she wanted to leave Porter Wagoner’s TV show and pursue a solo career:

I tried to leave the Porter show on my own, because I promised to stay in it for five years, and I had already been there for seven. We often quarreled. We were very similar. We were both stubborn. We were both convinced that we knew what was best for us. He thought he knew what was best for me, and I thought I knew what was best for me. Needless to say, how much grief and suffering there was. He just didn’t listen to my explanations of why I was leaving.
I thought: “He will never listen to me. Every time I start talking about it, he will only grumble. Then I thought, “Why don’t you do what you do best? Why don’t you write a song about it?” After all, I knew then that I would leave no matter what. I went home and, being in a very emotional state, wrote the song I Will Always Love You.

CMT 40 Greatest Love Songs, 2011

The meaning of the song I Will Always Love You

Talking about what the song I Will Always Love You is about, Parton explained the main idea of the song:

It says: “Just because I’m leaving doesn’t mean I won’t love you. I appreciate you and hope you do well. I appreciate everything you’ve done, but I’m leaving.” Basically, that’s what I meant.

CMT

Having composed the song, Dolly sang it to her partner the very next day.

I said, “Sit down, Porter. I wrote a song and I want you to listen to it.” And I sang it. And he was crying. He said, “This is the cutest song I’ve ever heard. You can go on the condition that I’m the producer of the record.” So he did, and the rest of the story is known to all.

CMT

Release and achievements

The single I Will Always Love You/Lonely Comin’ Down was released on June 6, 1974 and soon topped the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

In 1982, Dolly Parton recorded a new version of the song for the soundtrack of the film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Then the composition rose to the top of the country charts in the US and Canada.

I Will Always Love You and Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley wanted to record the song, but Parton did not agree to the terms of Colonel Tom Parker, manager of the King of Rock and Roll.

Speaking with David Letterman, Dolly recounted those events:

He planned to record my song, I Will Always Love You. He invited me to the studio, and that day Colonel Tom Parker called. He said that they only record songs for which they have publishing rights. I couldn’t do it. I was terribly upset, because I loved Elvis. I cried all night. People said, “You’re crazy. This is Elvis Presley. Hell, I’d give him everything.” I replied, “I can’t do it. Something in my heart tells me not to.”

2010

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Dolly also reminisced about the Elvis story:

I thought, “Oh no, it’s already a hit, and that’s what I’m leaving for my family.” She is [песня] had nothing to do with Elvis, because hopefully he was disappointed too. But I just wouldn’t let him get the publishing rights.

2010

Meaning of I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston

Dolly Parton’s song appeared on the soundtrack of the film “The Bodyguard” by accident. Melodrama producer Kevin Costner intended to include the song What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted in the film. But it turned out that she had already sounded in the film “Fried Green Tomatoes”.

Remembers Dolly Parton:

Kevin Costner and his secretary fell in love with the song. They had another song that they were going to use, but some producer had recorded it earlier. At the last minute they were in a panic and asked me about my song. I sent it away and haven’t heard from her since.

CMT

Costner chose the song thanks to a cover by Linda Ronstadt. It was her version of 1975 that sunk into his soul.

Dolly Parton heard Whitney Houston sing I Will Always Love You on the radio while she was driving:

It started a cappella, and I thought, “Sounds familiar… “If I should stay…” And I didn’t get hooked. It was one of those things where you think, “What is this?” And then, all of a sudden, when she started singing, “I will always love you,” I almost crashed the car.

CMT

A cover of I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston climbed to the top of two dozen charts, including the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart.

In 1994, Whitney won two Grammy Awards for her for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

The single sold over four and a half million copies. Another two million copies were sold digitally.

Video of I Will Always Love You

The music video for Whitney Houston was directed by Alan Smithee. Nick Brandt was involved in the video, but he demanded that his name be removed because he was unhappy with the way producer Clive Davis had edited the video.

Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston relationship

After the dizzying success of the Houston cover, there were reports in the yellow press about a quarrel between Dolly and Whitney. Allegedly, Parton promised not to perform the song for several months, but did not keep her word.

Subsequently, both singers denied such rumors. Houston professedly thanked Parton for the excellent composition, and Dolly openly rejoiced at the incredible achievements of the track and her royalties.

When Whitney died, Dolly issued a statement:

My heart is just one of millions broken by the death of Whitney Houston. I will always treat her with gratitude and awe for the amazing performance of my song. I say from the bottom of my heart, “Whitney, I will always love you. I’ll miss you”.

Billboard, 2012

In memory of Whitney, the song was performed by many popular singers, including Jennifer Hudson, Beyonce and Jessica Sanchez.

Questions and answers

Who wrote the song I Will Always Love You?

The words and music of the composition were composed by the legend of the country scene Dolly Parton.

What is the song I Will Always Love You about?

Contrary to popular belief, this is not a love song. Dolly wrote it when she decided to leave her producer. The singer says that they will part, but she will always love him.

Who sang the song I Will Always Love You?

It was first performed by the author of words and music, Dolly Parton. The most famous version of the song was released by Whitney Houston.

Elvis Presley sang I Will Always Love You?

He wanted to perform it, but Dolly Parton did not agree to the terms of the manager Presley.

Interesting Facts

Dolly Parton’s original version of the song was featured on the soundtracks of Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore and Randal Kleiser’s It’s My Party.
Clive Davis and other producers from Arista Records felt that I Will Always Love You was not suitable for Whitney Houston.
Dolly Parton and David Foster presented the Grammys to Whitney Houston in 1994.

I Will Always Love You 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

chorus:
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 need

Chorus

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

I Will Always Love You Lyrics by Dolly Parton Alternate

I should stay
And I’ll just stand in your way
So I’m leaving, but I know
That I will constantly think of you

Chorus:
And I will always love you
I will always love you

You, my dear, you

Bittersweet memories
That’s all I’m taking with me
So goodbye
Please do not cry
We both know I’m not what you need

Chorus

I hope life is good to you
And I hope you have everything you dreamed of
And I wish you joy and happiness
But above all I wish you love

Song Quotes

I Will Always Love You is the most important song in my career so far. I’m famous for a few, but this one has been recorded by more people and probably made me more money than all the others combined. But this song really came out of the depths of my heart.

Dolly Parton, CMT 40 Greatest Love Songs, 2011