52 Years Ago, a Country Classic Was Released-Then Reborn as a '90s Power Ballad

Dolly Parton has often remarked that "my songs are like my children, and I expect them to support me later in my life," but even the reigning Queen of Country was taken aback by the future global success of one of her classic genre hits.

"I Will Always Love You," a timeless love song first written and released in 1974 by Parton, went on to top the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. While the '90s version of the track by Whitney Houston rose to worldwide prominence as part of The Bodyguard soundtrack, Parton was actually the first to cover the song for a film, as part of her role in the 1982 film The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. With almost a decade of love from listeners backing it, the cover broke records by re-taking its top spot on the country charts, as well as a modest #53 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

However, the commercial success of Parton's renditions was completely eclipsed by Houston's power ballad take on the timeless love song, which first released in November 1992, spent 14 weeks atop the US singles charts, in addition to 33 other countries worldwide, from Australia to Zimbabwe.

While rumors of a feud between the iconic female powerhouses over supposed jealousy were peddled by media speculation, Houston told Rolling Stonein 1993 that "I think Dolly Parton is a hell of a writer and a hell of a singer. I was so concerned when I sang her song how she'd feel about it, in terms of the arrangement, my licks, my flavor." The late star also revealed that Dolly had reached out to compliment her performance, adding that "When she said she was floored, that meant so much to me."

Parton also stated that she had pushed for The Bodyguard to cover the song, telling BBC Radio 2 that "I sent [the song] to them," (via American Songwriter). The country icon also had one request for the cover: "I said, ‘Be sure and make certain that that last verse can be sung.'"

"I didn't hear any more about it," Parton said, adding that she heard it on her car radio one day and nearly got into an accident. "I almost wrecked," she continued, "I couldn't believe my little country sad song could even be done like that. That was one of the greatest experiences I've ever had in my entire life."

As Parton pointed out, she and Houston's versions of the songs are remarkably different, with the latter utilizing her unparalleled vocal power for a rendition few, if anyone, can accurately replicate, in technical or performance artistry. Parton's version, which she refers to as "talk singing," is a straightforward, raw display of emotion that can bring a tear to even the harshest of musical critics.

Upon Houston's tragic death in 2012, Dolly reaffirmed the beautiful duality and coexistence of their two renditions of the song. In a statement paying tribute to the pop icon, Parton wrote, "Mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, 'Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.'"

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published June 6, 2026 at 8:00 AM.