Dolly Parton Prepared Us For The End
Defector • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Dolly Parton originally wrote "I Will Always Love You" as a farewell to her mentor Porter Wagoner when she decided to pursue a solo career, expressing clear-eyed agency and love in her rendition.
- Whitney Houston's 1992 cover of the song, often mistaken as the original, brought widespread fame and commercial success, overshadowing Parton's version but earning mutual respect between the artists.
- Parton's song helped ease the professional split with Wagoner, who agreed to let her go after hearing the heartfelt message in the song.
- Houston's version conveys a more anguished and reluctant farewell, contrasting with Parton's composed and loving goodbye, reflecting different emotional perspectives on endings.
- Despite Houston's cover's global impact, many listeners, including the author, find themselves returning to Parton's original for its message of new beginnings and chosen endings.
