I Will Always Love You is a song written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton in 1973. It was released on March 18, 1974, as the second single from her thirteenth solo studio album, Jolene (1974). The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in May 1974 and became Parton’s first number-one single as a solo artist.
Parton wrote the song as a farewell to her business partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner, as she left his syndicated television show to pursue her own career. The song is a beautiful and moving ballad about the power of love, and it has become one of Parton’s most popular and enduring songs.
Background and writing
Dolly Parton wrote I Will Always Love You in 1973, as she was leaving Porter Wagoner’s syndicated television show to pursue her own career. Parton had been a regular on Wagoner’s show for seven years, and he had been a major influence on her career. However, Parton felt that it was time for her to move on and try to make it on her own.
Parton wrote the song as a way of expressing her gratitude to Wagoner for all that he had done for her. She also wrote it as a way of saying goodbye to him and to the fans of the show.
Recording and production
I Will Always Love You was recorded in 1973 at the RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee. The song was produced by Bob Ferguson. Ferguson is a Grammy Award-winning producer who has worked with some of the biggest names in country music, including Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Johnny Cash.
Release and commercial performance
I Will Always Love You was released on March 18, 1974, as the second single from Parton’s album Jolene. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in May 1974 and became Parton’s first number-one single as a solo artist. It also reached number 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
I Will Always Love You was a critical and commercial success. The song was praised by critics for its beautiful lyrics and Parton’s heartfelt vocals. The song was also a commercial success, selling over two million copies.
Impact and legacy
I Will Always Love You is a classic country song that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and moving song about the power of love, and it has become one of Parton’s most popular and enduring songs. The song has been covered by many artists, including Whitney Houston, who recorded a version for the 1992 film The Bodyguard. Houston’s version of the song became a worldwide hit and is considered to be one of the greatest love songs of all time.
Dolly Parton is one of the most influential country singers of all time. She has had a long and successful career, and she has won numerous awards. Parton was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. She is still active in music today, and she continues to tour and record.
Here are some additional facts about the song:
- The song was written by Dolly Parton.
- The song was recorded in 1973 at the RCA Studio B in Nashville, Tennessee.
- The song was produced by Bob Ferguson.
- The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in May 1974.
- The song was a critical and commercial success.
- The song has been covered by many artists, including Whitney Houston.
I hope you enjoyed this introduction to I Will Always Love You. If you are a fan of country music or if you are simply looking for a beautiful and moving song to listen to, then I highly recommend I Will Always Love You.