It takes an extremely strong song to top the charts three separate times in three separate decades, but "I Will Always Love You" is just such a song. Written and recorded (twice) by Dolly Parton and then re-recorded in show-stopping fashion by Whitney Houston, the ballad has morphed from a fond farewell to a former mentor, to a theatrical goodbye to a lover, to a soaring ode to the very notions of love and loss. We follow that journey from the beginning, with all the vocal tricks, dramatic line-readings, and epic key changes that were added along the way.

Band/Artist: Dolly Parton & Whitney Houston

Albums: Jolene (1974), The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (1982), and The Bodyguard soundtrack (1992)

Composed by: Dolly Parton

Listen/Buy (Jolene) via Album.Link

Listen/Buy (TBLWIT) via Album.Link

Listen/Buy (The Bodyguard) via Album.Link

ALSO REFERENCED/DISCUSSED:

• The sensational new WNYC podcast Dolly Parton's America
• "The Last Thing On My Mind" by Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner
• "Applejack" by Dolly Parton from New Harvest...First Gathering, 1977
• "Let It Go" from Frozen performed by Idina Menzel

OUTRO SOLOIST: Dan Nervo

Mr. Dan Nervo has the tiller for this episode's outro solo. Dan plays guitar all around the San Francisco Bay Area in bands like Neon Velvet, and also teaches private guitar lessons. Hit him up if you want to get really good at guitar: https://www.facebook.com/DanNervoGuitarLessons/

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