“I Will Always Love You” is a song by American singer-songwriter Dolly Parton. The country track was released on June 6, 1974 as the second single from Parton’s thirteenth solo studio album, Jolene (1974). Recorded on June 13, 1973, the singer wrote the song for her one-time partner and mentor Porter Wagoner, from whom she was professionally splitting at the time. “I Will Always Love You” received positive comments from critics and attained commercial success, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart two times. With the accomplishment, Parton became the first artist ever to earn a number one record twice with the same song as a singer, and three times as a writer. “I Will Always Love You” is the second song ever to reach the top three on the Billboard Hot 100 in separate chart runs.
Singer Whitney Houston recorded a hugely successful version of the song for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
In 1992, singer Whitney Houston recorded the song for the soundtrack to The Bodyguard, her film debut. Houston was originally to record Jimmy Ruffin’s “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted” as the lead single from The Bodyguard. However, when it was discovered the song was to be used for Fried Green Tomatoes, Houston requested a different song and her co-star Kevin Costner brought her Linda Ronstadt’s 1975 version of “I Will Always Love You” from her album Prisoner in Disguise. Houston and producer David Foster re-arranged the song as a soul ballad. Her record company did not feel a song with an a cappella introduction would be as successful; however, Houston and Costner insisted on retaining the a cappella intro. The tenor saxophone solo was played by Kirk Whalum. Whitney Houston’s recording is not the only version of the song featured in the movie. In a scene where she dances with Kevin Costner, a version by John Doe can be heard playing on a jukebox.
Houston’s version was a massive worldwide success, appearing at number 68 on Billboard’s “Greatest Songs of All Time.”
Jennifer Hudson performed the song in front of Houston in 2010. On February 12, 2012 Hudson performed the song as a tribute during the 54th Grammy Awards, the day after Houston’s death alongide images of musicians who had died in 2011 and 2012 including Amy Winehouse and Etta James. The song was played at Houston’s funeral as her casket was brought out of the church.
lyrics
If I should stay,
I would only be in your way.
So I’ll go, but I know
I’ll think of you ev’ry step of the way.
And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
You, my darling you. Hmm.
Bittersweet memories
that is all I’m taking with me.
So, goodbye. Please, don’t cry.
We both know I’m not what you, you need.
And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
(Instrumental solo)
I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you’ve dreamed of.
And I wish to you, joy and happiness.
But above all this, I wish you love.
And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I, I will always love you.
You, darling, I love you.
Ooh, I’ll always, I’ll always love you.