Dolly Parton Lyrics

Dolly's 1974 #1 song "I Will Always Love You"

The Dolly Parton lyrics to  "I Will Always Love You" was written in 1973 for Parton's one-time partner and mentor, Portner Wagner, from whom she was separating professionally at the time.

The song went on to become a #1 hit song for Dolly in 1974 and after receiving good reviews and commercial success the song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart two times.

Parton also became the first artist to earn a number one record twice with the same song as a singer, and three times as a writer.

Author Ken Knight commented that Parton is the only singer who can sing "I Will Always Love You" and "make it memorable". I certainly agree with him on that take.

Others have done well with her song but they never understood the true meaning of the words as Dolly did when she wrote the song.

Dolly Parton lyrics - A Mega Hit For
"I Will Always Love You."

After being re-released in 1982, the song was used in the movie "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas" and again was a number-one song on the Hot Country Songs chart. That's how Dolly became the first artist ever to earn a number one record twice with the same song.

And, of course, when Whitney Houston turned the song into a mega hit in 1992, Dolly again had a number one song as a songwriter for the third time. When Whitney Houston died in 2012 Dolly shared her personal thoughts. 

"I will always have a very special piece of her in the song we shared together and had the good fortune to share with the world. Rest in peace, Whitney. Again, we will always love you."

Now, enjoy this wonderful video of Dolly and understand why Ken Knight said what he did above about the way Dolly sings this song like no one else can.   

Dolly Parton Lyrics
"I Will Always Love You"
Written by Dolly Parton    


If I should stay
Well, I would only be in your way
And so I'll go, and yet I know
That I'll think of you each step of my way

And I will always love you
I will always love you

Bitter-sweet memories
That's all I have, and all I'm taking with me
Good-bye, oh, please don't cry
'Cause we both know that I'm not
What you need

But I will always love you
I will always love you

(spoken)
And I hope life, will treat you kind
And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of
Oh, I do wish you joy
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
I love you, I will always love

I will always, always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you

Songs that will make you cry.

"Tear Time" takes you through a feminine emotional experience and will touch your heart with the lyrics, "All it takes is the smallest thought of you ... Then tear time starts crying all night through." Read more ...

Return to the Dolly Parton main page.

Return to home page from Dolly Parton Lyrics.

"Dream" - Roy Orbison cover of this 1944 Johnny Mercer classic.

The song "Dream" reminds us of those glamor movie stars of the '40s,' 50s, and early '60s. The one thing they all shared was a level of glamor we still aspire to today. This is a song everyone should have in their music collection. Read more ... 

Love Me With All Your Heart.

Just creamy harmony and seamless pleasure returns you to the days when easy listening was called "dinner music."

Another beautiful love song from 1964.   Read more.

"Just The Way You Are"

"We almost didn't put it on an album. We were sitting around listening to it going...naaah, that's a chick song."   Billy Joel...

Song of the year and Record of the year in 1978. Read more...

The song "True Love Ways" was recorded in the presence of Buddy's wife, and should be appreciated for the impact of this great song, and the love that inspired it.  Read the story here.

This Darling Lorraine page returns to 1959 and the remarkable story about a determined song writer. Includes memorable video clip with original lead singer. Read more here.