7 Untold Secrets And Shocking Facts About The Song "I Will Always Love You"

Few songs in music history can claim the dual legacy of "I Will Always Love You." What began as a heartfelt, professional farewell written by a country music legend in 1973 has, as of December 17, 2025, evolved into a timeless global anthem, thanks to a powerhouse vocal performance that shattered records and continues to rack up billions of views online. This ballad is more than just a love song; it's a monumental piece of pop culture, packed with surprising stories of business, betrayal, and a King who was politely turned away.

The track’s enduring popularity is evident in its continued relevance today, with the Whitney Houston version’s music video recently hitting a staggering 1.5 billion views on YouTube and the song itself being voted among Billboard’s 500 Best Pop Songs of all time. We dive deep into the most fascinating and little-known facts about this iconic, two-part masterpiece.

The Dual Biography of a Global Anthem

To truly appreciate the magnitude of "I Will Always Love You," one must understand the two extraordinary artists who defined it.

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Dolly Parton (The Original Composer)

• Full Name: Dolly Rebecca Parton
• Born: January 19, 1946, Sevier County, Tennessee, U.S.
• Career Highlights: Country Music Hall of Fame, 11 Grammy Awards, Kennedy Center Honors, Presidential Medal of Freedom (offered twice, declined).
• Context of the Song: Wrote "I Will Always Love You" in 1973 as a professional farewell to her mentor and business partner, Porter Wagoner, to launch her solo career.
• Legacy: One of the most honored female country artists of all time, known for her songwriting, philanthropy (Dolly Parton's Imagination Library), and business acumen.

Whitney Houston (The Global Icon)

• Full Name: Whitney Elizabeth Houston
• Born: August 9, 1963, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
• Died: February 11, 2012, Beverly Hills, California, U.S.
• Career Highlights: The only artist to have seven consecutive No. 1 singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, 6 Grammy Awards, 2 Emmy Awards, Guinness World Records.
• Context of the Song: Recorded her cover for the 1992 film The Bodyguard, which she starred in alongside Kevin Costner.
• Legacy: Known as "The Voice," her version of the song became the best-selling single by a female artist in music history and is one of the best-selling singles of all time.

7 Secrets and Shocking Facts Behind "I Will Always Love You"

1. It Was a Professional Breakup Song, Not a Romantic One

The most common misconception about "I Will Always Love You" is that it’s a typical romantic ballad. The truth is far more complex and professional. Dolly Parton wrote the song in 1973 as a way to gracefully end her professional partnership with her longtime mentor, Porter Wagoner.

Parton had spent seven years on Wagoner’s television show, and she felt it was time to leave and pursue a solo career. Wagoner was initially resistant to her departure. She wrote the song to express her gratitude and love for him, but also her need to move on, presenting it to him as a final, heartfelt explanation.

2. Kevin Costner is Directly Responsible for Whitney’s Version

Whitney Houston was initially slated to cover a different song for her 1992 film The Bodyguard. However, actor and co-star Kevin Costner was the one who personally suggested "I Will Always Love You."

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Costner played a crucial role in the arrangement, specifically insisting that Houston sing the opening a cappella—unaccompanied by music—to build dramatic tension. This slow, powerful start is now one of the song’s most iconic and imitated elements.

3. Elvis Presley Wanted to Record It, But Dolly Said No

One of the most legendary "what-ifs" in music history involves Elvis Presley. The King of Rock and Roll loved the song and wanted to record a cover. Dolly Parton was thrilled, but then Elvis’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker, called to demand half of the publishing rights to the song before Elvis would record it.

Dolly, who is fiercely protective of her publishing, stood her ground and refused the deal, a decision she later called "the hardest thing I'd ever had to do." That decision has since made her millions in royalties, proving her business instinct was correct.

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4. Dolly Parton Used the Royalties to Honor a Black Neighborhood

The royalties Dolly Parton earned from Whitney Houston's version were astronomical, reportedly over $10 million in the first year alone. In a beautiful, full-circle gesture, Parton used a significant portion of those funds to purchase property in a historically Black neighborhood in Nashville.

She specifically chose the area as a tribute to Whitney Houston, a Black artist, and the money helped revitalize the community. The shopping center she purchased is now known as the "Casablanca Music Group" complex, making the song’s success a direct source of community investment.

5. Whitney’s Music Video Has Reached 1.5 Billion Views

Despite being released in 1992, long before the age of digital streaming, Whitney Houston’s official music video for "I Will Always Love You" has achieved modern-day streaming milestones. As of recent updates, the video has surpassed 1.5 BILLION views on YouTube, cementing its status as a timeless viral phenomenon.

This incredible number highlights the song’s continued cultural relevance and its power to attract new generations of listeners, making it one of the most-watched music videos of all time.

6. Dolly Parton Nearly Crashed Her Car Hearing the Song

Dolly Parton has shared the emotional story of the first time she heard Whitney Houston’s cover. She was driving alone when the song came on the radio. She was so overwhelmed by Houston's powerful, soaring vocal performance that she had to pull over to avoid wrecking her car.

Parton has consistently praised Houston’s rendition, stating that her version elevated the song to a completely new level, and she believes Whitney would be proud of the song’s continued success and the recent cover by Kelly Clarkson.

7. It Was a Double-Chart Topper for Dolly Parton

While Whitney Houston’s version is the one most people recognize, Dolly Parton’s original country rendition was a massive hit in its own right. Parton is the only artist to take the same song to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart twice.

The first time was with her original 1974 release. The second time was in 1982, when she re-recorded it for the soundtrack of the film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. This unique achievement showcases the song's versatility and Parton's genius as a songwriter, even before Houston made it a global pop phenomenon.

The Enduring Topical Authority of a Masterpiece

The legacy of "I Will Always Love You" is a testament to the power of pure songwriting and vocal artistry. It is a rare song that successfully bridges the worlds of country, pop, and R&B, maintaining its topical authority decades after its creation. The song’s continued charting presence, with Whitney’s album "I Will Always Love You: The Best of Whitney Houston" still moving up on Billboard’s Top R&B Albums chart, confirms its status as a permanent fixture in the music industry.

From Dolly Parton’s sincere, simple country ballad of a necessary goodbye to Whitney Houston’s earth-shattering, operatic expression of devotion, the song has become an anthem of love, loss, and devotion that transcends time and genre. It is a cultural monument, forever linking the careers of two of the greatest female artists in history.