How Did Whitney Houston Get Dolly Parton's Song
✨ The Ultimate Lowdown: How Whitney Houston Snagged Dolly Parton's Mega-Hit and Changed the Game Forever ✨
Hold the phone, music lovers! Get ready for a deep dive into one of the most epic hand-offs in music history. We’re talking about "I Will Always Love You," the ultimate, tear-jerking, powerhouse ballad that became the signature song of the late, great Whitney Houston. But here’s the kicker for the uninitiated—it was actually penned and first recorded by the undisputed queen of country music, Dolly Parton! Mind. Blown.
It’s a story packed with Hollywood connections, brilliant business moves, and a tiny bit of serendipity. So grab your popcorn (and maybe a tissue, because those notes are high), and let’s spill the tea on how this legendary tune made its journey from a sweet country farewell to a global, record-smashing anthem. This is the stuff of legends, people.
Step 1: The OG Country Vibe (Dolly’s Time to Shine)
Before Whitney made it her own, "I Will Always Love You" was Dolly Parton’s baby. She wrote it back in 1973 as a professional goodbye to her longtime partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner. Talk about a classy exit strategy!
1.1 The Farewell to Porter
Dolly had worked with Porter Wagoner for seven years on his successful TV show, The Porter Wagoner Show. She was ready to strike out on her own as a solo artist, which, as you can imagine, didn’t exactly thrill Porter. It was awkward, like trying to leave a group chat without anyone noticing. She poured her heart out and wrote the song specifically to explain to him, with love and respect, that she was moving on. He was reportedly in tears when she sang it for him. The song dropped in 1974 and was a massive country hit for her.
1.2 The Elvis Factor: The Dealbreaker That Made Dolly a Mogul
Here’s where things get wild. The King himself, Elvis Presley, loved Dolly’s song and wanted to record it. I mean, who wouldn't? This was a huge break, right? Well, almost. Elvis’s infamous manager, Colonel Tom Parker, pulled a fast one and demanded that Dolly sign over half of the song’s publishing rights. Dolly, being the sharp businesswoman she is, said, "Nah, fam," and held onto her copyright. She reportedly cried all night, because letting Elvis sing your song is a big deal, but she stuck to her guns. This refusal was a massive financial move that paid off bigger than a Vegas residency when Whitney got her hands on it. She literally kept the copyright in her pocket, which is peak boss energy.
Tip: Read at your natural pace.
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| How Did Whitney Houston Get Dolly Parton's Song |
Step 2: Hollywood Comes Calling (Enter Kevin Costner)
Fast forward nearly two decades to the early 1990s. Whitney Houston is a superstar, and she’s starring in her first major movie, The Bodyguard, alongside Kevin Costner. They needed a power ballad for a pivotal scene.
2.1 The Quest for the Perfect Track
The original plan for the song was actually a different tune: Jimmy Ruffin's "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted." However, there was a snag—it was already slated to be used in the film Fried Green Tomatoes. Close call, right? So, Costner needed a replacement, and he needed it, like, yesterday.
2.2 Costner’s Unexpected Brainwave
It was Costner who, incredibly, suggested Dolly’s song. He had heard Linda Ronstadt's 1975 cover of "I Will Always Love You" on the radio and immediately saw the potential. He called Dolly Parton and asked if they could use her song for the movie. Imagine getting that phone call! Dolly, still holding the publishing, was like, "You bet your sweet boots!" and sent it over. It was a low-key transaction with a stratospheric outcome.
Step 3: The Whitney Touch (The Reinvention)
Tip: Revisit challenging parts.
Dolly Parton’s version is a sweet, tender country waltz. Whitney Houston’s version? It’s a Gospel-infused, five-octave, full-throttle emotional rollercoaster. This is where the magic, and the insane profits, really happened.
3.1 David Foster’s Masterful Arrangement
Music producer David Foster, a legend in his own right, was brought in to arrange the song for Whitney. The key creative twist came from Costner, who insisted on the now-iconic a cappella intro. He was adamant that it had to start with Whitney’s voice naked and raw, to show the depth of her character’s feeling for Costner’s character. This brilliant move not only showcased Whitney’s breathtaking vocal control but instantly hooked the listener.
3.2 Dolly's Radio Moment (The Unveiling)
Dolly Parton herself didn’t know how the final version would sound. She was driving her car one day when she heard a song start with an a cappella voice that sounded familiar. As the song built and Whitney’s voice soared, she was so blown away she had to pull over! She has often said that the song now belongs to Whitney, saying, "Whitney is the one who took it worldwide and really made it a household word."
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3.3 The Royalties Bonanza
Because Dolly kept those publishing rights, every single time Whitney's version was played on the radio, sold a copy, or was streamed, Dolly got paid. And we mean paid. It’s estimated that the song earned Dolly Parton millions in royalties, with some reports saying enough to "buy Graceland." Dolly, being the national treasure she is, reportedly invested a large portion of those royalties into a Black neighborhood in Nashville, famously saying she considered it "the house that Whitney built." Now that's good business and good karma!
Tip: Context builds as you keep reading.
Step 4: The Aftermath (Legacy Secured)
Whitney Houston's rendition was released in November 1992 and became an instant phenomenon. It spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, a record at the time, and became one of the best-selling singles of all time by any female artist.
4.1 Awards and Accolades
The song won the Grammy for Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance—two of the biggest awards in music. It cemented Whitney’s place as "The Voice" and made The Bodyguard soundtrack one of the biggest-selling albums ever.
4.2 A Song For All Time
From a heartfelt country song to a dramatic Hollywood power ballad, "I Will Always Love You" is a masterclass in musical versatility and smart business. It’s a win-win for two absolute legends. Dolly got the financial security and writing credit she deserved, and Whitney got the song that defined her generation-defining talent. It was a legendary piece of luck and a testament to the power of a truly great song.
FAQ Questions and Answers
QuickTip: A short pause boosts comprehension.
How did Kevin Costner know about Dolly Parton's song?
How to uncover forgotten music gems for a Hollywood movie? Kevin Costner knew the song from a 1975 cover version recorded by singer Linda Ronstadt. He was searching for a powerful love song for The Bodyguard and, after the initial song choice fell through, suggested the Ronstadt-covered tune to producer David Foster, who then reached out to Dolly Parton.
How much money did Dolly Parton make from Whitney Houston's version?
How to turn a single song into a personal fortune? While exact figures vary, it is estimated that Dolly Parton has earned tens of millions of dollars in royalties from Whitney Houston's recording, thanks to her ownership of the songwriting and publishing rights. She famously said the earnings were enough to buy the entirety of Elvis's Graceland estate.
Why did Dolly Parton write the original song?
How to professionally break up with a business partner using music? Dolly Parton wrote "I Will Always Love You" in 1973 as a professional farewell to her mentor and duet partner, Porter Wagoner, as she was leaving his show to pursue a solo career. She wanted to convey her deep appreciation and love for him while explaining her decision to move on.
Did Dolly Parton ever sing the song with Whitney Houston?
How to host the ultimate duet of two music titans? No, sadly, the two music legends never performed the song together in any official capacity before Whitney Houston's untimely passing. Dolly, however, has expressed nothing but admiration for Whitney's rendition.
Did Elvis Presley nearly record the song?
How to tell The King of Rock and Roll "no" and still win big? Yes, Elvis Presley wanted to record the song, but Dolly Parton refused to give up half of her publishing rights to his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, which was a non-negotiable term for The King. Her choice to keep the copyright intact turned out to be one of the smartest business decisions of her career.
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