Dolly Parton’s hit song “I Will Always Love You” is nearly 50 years old, and the country icon just revealed a surprising fact about one of her most famous tunes.
In an interview with BBC Radio, Parton opened up about the song and its connection to Elvis Presley. Dolly shared that Presley wanted to record the song himself, but that she turned down the offer. At the time, Elvis’ manager, Colonel Tom Parker, told her that they would need to own at least half of the publishing rights to the song, and Parton was “heartbroken” but explained it was the “most important copyright in her whole publishing company.”
Related Stories
Nevertheless, the “Don’t Be Cruel” singer had a powerful connection to Parton’s song. She told BBC Radio, “Elvis loved the song. In fact, I talked to Priscilla [Presley] not very long ago. She said to me, ‘You know, Elvis sang that song to me when we walked down the courthouse steps when we got divorced. He was singing to me ‘I Will Always Love You.’” You can see the clip here.
Keep Reading
Rockstar
Rockstar
Now 25% Off
Now, 46 years after Elvis’ death, Parton is paying tribute to him and this moment in musical history with a song on her album Rockstar. The album, due to be released on November 17, includes a previously unreleased track called “I Dreamed About Elvis.” Parton explained that she wrote the song, which features Ronnie McDowell and The Jordanaires, 20 years ago. She has performed it live, but it has never been released. The song features Ronnie (who, Parton says “sounds just like” Elvis) and Dolly finally singing the heralded song together.
Getty ImagesElvis and Priscilla Presley leave the courthouse following their divorce hearing on October 9, 1973, in Santa Monica, California.
Rockstar also includes collaborations with Miley Cyrus, Chris Stapleton, Stevie Nicks, Pink, Brandi Carlisle, Elton John, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and more. After more than six decades in the music industry, Parton still has some surprises up her sequined sleeves.
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o7XOoKmaqJiue6S7zGikrquZmLaiutJomG1tYG2EdH%2BRaJuopJyuerGt0a2mp2WVocOqv4ypqaKrk565ra2Mqameq5yaxm61jLCgpaRdlrm4rdisZKWnppp6urvU