The little-known story behind Dolly Parton’s biggest song

2 months ago 19
Originally written as a farewell to mentor Wagoner, “I Will Always Love You” evolved from a country ballad into one of the most successful songs ever recorded. (Photo by Jonathan Short/Invision/AP, File)

In the hours following the death of country music icon Dolly Parton on Aug. 25, 2026, fans have revisited her biggest hits, but few songs tell a more powerful story than “I Will Always Love You,” a ballad that began as a deeply personal goodbye and eventually became one of the most successful recordings in music history. Parton, who died at age 80, left behind a catalog of classics, yet this song stands apart because of the unusual circumstances that inspired it, Yahoo! reported.

Read Entire Article