I Will Always Love You

“	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. When she said she was floored, that meant so much to me.	”
– Whitney on recording I Will Always Love You

I Will Always Love YouSingle by Whitney Houston
General information
Artist	Whitney Houston
Release date	November 2, 1992
Recorded	April 22, 1992
Genre	Pop, Soul, R&B
Length	4:31
Album	The Bodyguard
Label	Arista Records
Songwriter(s)	Dolly Parton
Producer(s)	David Foster
Singles chronology
Current	"I Will Always Love You"
Next	"I'm Every Woman"
The Bodyguard track list
"I Will Always Love You"
"I Have Nothing"

I Will Always Love You is the lead single from Whitney Houston's first soundtrack album The Bodyguard. It was released on November 3, 1992 through Arista Records. Originally released by Dolly Parton in 1974, Houston's rendition became widely identified with the film. The song's release played a key role in the commercial success of both the soundtrack and the movie, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards.

The single spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, setting a record at the time and marking Houston's longest stay at the top of the chart. In 1994, it won GRAMMY Awards for Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, Female.

A live version of the song was featured on the 1999 release Divas Live '99. Additionally, a 1994 performance from Whitney's concert in Johannesburg, South Africa, for Whitney: The Concert for a New South Africa was included on the live album Whitney Houston Live: Her Greatest Performances.

Background

"I Will Always Love You" was originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1973 and released in 1974 as part of her album Jolene. The song was written as a farewell to her business partner and mentor, Porter Wagoner, reflecting Parton's decision to pursue a solo career.

Whitney revealed in her 1993 MTV Rockumentary documentary that "I Will Always Love You" was introduced to her by Kevin Costner. Costner played her Linda Ronstadt's 1975 version of the song as a reference. Initially, Whitney was set to record "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" by Jimmy Ruffin as the lead single, but the song was already slated for use in the film Fried Green Tomatoes. When Parton learned that Whitney was using Ronstadt's version as a template, she contacted producer David Foster to provide the missing final verse, which Ronstadt had not included. Whitney recorded the song on April 22, 1992.

In a 2000 interview, Whitney provided additional context, explaining, "We were on a mission, searching for songs for The Bodyguard—the song that would tie the movie together." Costner had suggested several songs, including "I Will Always Love You," while Whitney also contributed her own ideas. Though she had previously heard Dolly Parton’s original version, she initially passed on it due to its country style. However, one day on set, Costner insisted, "This is the song. You must listen to it." After reconsidering, Whitney decided to record the track.

Composition

The song opens with an a cappella introduction, with the instrumental arrangement starting around the 0:44 mark. It begins in the key of A major and transitions to B major at the start of the final chorus. Houston's vocal range in the song spans from the low note F♯3 to the high note G♯5 Additionally, the song features a saxophone solo performed by Whitney's longtime saxophonist, Kirk Whalum.

Live performances

Houston made her first live televised debut of "I Will Always Love You" on The Des O'Connor Show, which aired in late October 1992, shortly before the release of The Bodyguard. It was a regular part of the set-list of Houston's The Bodyguard World Tour, which began on July 5, 1993. Between 1993 and 1994, Houston performed the song at several high-profile events outside of her ongoing tour. On March 1, 1994, she sang the song at the Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. She performed it again on April 9, 1994, at Carnegie Hall for the Rainforest Foundation Fund Benefit Concert. Additionally, on May 4, 1994, she performed the song at The World Music Awards held at The Sporting Club in Monte Carlo.

On April 25, 1995, Houston performed the song at a private concert for Princess Hamidah, the niece of the Sultan of Brunei and the eldest daughter of Prince Jefri, in celebration of her birthday. Four days later, on April 29, 1995, she performed the song in Singapore.

In 1996, Houston performed the song at a private concert in Brunei for the wedding of Princess Rashidah, the eldest daughter of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, on August 24 at the Jerudong Park Amphitheater. She also performed the song at the 2nd BET Walk of Fame Awards on September 13, 1996.

In 1997, the song was included in the setlist for Houston's Pacific Rim Tour, which began on May 5. The song was also performed during her HBO Classic Whitney concerts on October 3 and 5, 1997, in Washington, D.C.

In 1998, the song was part of the setlist for Houston's European Tour which began on July 11. In 1999 the song was performed at Divas Live '99. Also in 1999 the song included as part of the setlist for The My Love Is Your Love World Tour. In 2000, Houston performed the song as part of the Arista 25th Anniversary Concert.

The song was added to the setlist of subsequent tours including: Soul Divas Tour (2004) and Nothing But Love World Tour (2009-2010).

Awards

I Will Always Love You was nominated for 16 awards from 1993-1994 in which all were recorded as a win.

1993

• Soul Train Awards - Best Female R&B/Soul Single, Female
• People's Choice Awards - Favorite New Music Video
• Japan Gold Disc Awards - International Song of the Year
• MTV Movie Awards - Best Song From A Movie

Billboard Awards 1993

Whitney walked away with the most awards of that night.

• No 1 World Single
• No. 1 Hot 100 Singles Sales
• No. 1 Hot R&B Singles Sales
• Single Most Weeks at No. 1 ( for 14 weeks)
  1. 1 Hot R&B Single
  2. 1 Hot 100 Single

1994

• American Music Awards - Favorite Soul/R&B Single and Favorite Pop/Rock Single
• Grammy Awards - Record of the Year, and Best Pop Vocal Performance for Female
• Soul Train Music Awards - Best R&B Song of the Year

Lyrics

[Verse 1]
If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I'll go, but I know
I'll think of you every step of the way

[Chorus]
And I
Will always love you
I will always love you

[Post-Chorus]
You
My darling, you
Mm, mm

[Verse 2]
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

[Chorus]
And I
Will always love you
I will always love you
You

[Saxophone Solo]

[Verse 3]
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

[Chorus]
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

[Outro]
Darling, I love you
Ooh, I'll always
I'll always love you

Trivia

• Elvis Presley also wanted to record the song, however, Dolly Parton turned him down.