In 1974, Dolly Parton was already riding high after scoring a No. 1 country music hit with her unforgettable song, “I Will Always Love You.” But the excitement was about to reach another level when she got a call that would change everything—or so it seemed. Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, wanted to record her song. Can you imagine? The two biggest names in music history potentially collaborating on one of the most iconic songs ever written.
Elvis Calls: A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
“They called me and said Elvis was going to record it,” Dolly recalled during an episode of the podcast “Living & Learning With Reba McEntire.” She couldn’t believe her ears. Not only did Elvis want to cover her song, but he also wanted to meet her in person at the studio. For someone who grew up idolizing Elvis, this was the ultimate dream come true. “Elvis wanted to meet me!” she exclaimed with a mix of awe and disbelief. By the mid-1970s, Dolly had already carved out her place as a legendary singer-songwriter, but working with Elvis? That was on another level entirely.
But Wait—There’s a Catch
As fate would have it, the night before Elvis was scheduled to step into the studio, Dolly received another call—this time from Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis’s manager. The conversation took an unexpected turn when Colonel Parker asked Dolly to sign over half of the rights to “I Will Always Love You.” This wasn’t just any song; it was the cornerstone of her publishing company. “It was the most important copyright I had,” Dolly explained. “That song was something I planned to leave to my family.”
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When Colonel Parker pressed her further, Dolly stood firm. “I told him, ‘I can’t give it to you. It’s too valuable to me and my family.’ And he said, ‘Well, then we can’t do it.’” It was a gut-wrenching moment for Dolly. She had been so excited about the collaboration that she had already shared the news with everyone she knew. Now, she was faced with the reality that it wouldn’t happen. “I cried all night,” she admitted. “I had just pictured Elvis singing it. I knew how much he loved the song.”
The Tough Decision That Paid Off
Many people might have thought Dolly was crazy for turning down such a prestigious opportunity, but she credits her rural Tennessee upbringing for teaching her the importance of standing up for herself. “I’ve had to go up against a lot of good ol’ boys in this business,” she confessed. “I’ve let a lot of so-called ‘good deals’ slip away because I wasn’t willing to compromise on things that mattered to me. You’ve got to learn to trust your instincts and live with the choices you make.”
As it turned out, Dolly made the right call. Almost two decades later, Whitney Houston recorded “I Will Always Love You” for the 1992 movie The Bodyguard. Her version shattered records, becoming the best-selling single by a woman in music history. This monumental success not only earned Dolly millions but also secured the financial future of her family. Talk about karma working in your favor!
A Special Connection
Years later, Dolly learned from Elvis’s ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, that the King never forgot her song. “She told me, ‘Elvis used to sing that song to me after we divorced,’” Dolly shared. “Knowing how much he loved it really touched me. Even though we never got to collaborate, I’m grateful for the connection we shared through music.”
