Dolly Parton’s death at 80 has renewed attention on one of the most influential recordings of her songwriting career: Whitney Houston’s 1992 version of “I Will Always Love You.”
Parton originally released the song in 1969, but Houston transformed the country ballad into a pop-gospel performance for The Bodyguard soundtrack.
Ranker later named Houston’s rendition the greatest Dolly Parton cover on its April 2025 list. Houston’s recording became a defining commercial success.
It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks, earned diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America and won two Grammys in 1994, including Record of the Year.
The song also became central to the success of The Bodyguard, starring Houston and Kevin Costner.
The soundtrack sold more than 45 million copies worldwide, spent 20 non-consecutive weeks atop the Billboard 200 and became the first SoundScan-era album to sell more than 1 million copies in one week.
Parton recalled being overwhelmed when she unexpectedly heard Houston’s interpretation on the radio.
She said the recording made her feel she had “arrived” as a songwriter, while Houston said she had worried about whether Parton would approve of her arrangement and vocal style.
The two artists’ mutual respect became part of the song’s enduring story. Houston died in 2012 at 48, while Parton’s family announced her death on Aug. 25, 2026, saying she died peacefully in Nashville.
Parton’s family described her seven decade career as a legacy of music, songwriting, kindness and philanthropy. Her death has brought renewed focus to the songs and collaborations that helped extend her influence across generations.
