Dolly Parton Used 1974 Hit to End 7-Year Porter Wagoner Partnership
Updated
Updated · Pitchfork · Aug 29
Dolly Parton Used 1974 Hit to End 7-Year Porter Wagoner Partnership
3 articles · Updated · Pitchfork · Aug 29
Summary
“I Will Always Love You” was originally a musical resignation: Dolly Parton sang it to Porter Wagoner in his office as she moved to end their professional partnership.
The split followed mounting conflict as Parton’s solo career outgrew the sidekick role she had held since Wagoner hired her as his TV show’s “girl singer” in 1967.
Parton released the song in 1974 as the second single from her 13th solo album, “Jolene,” while already eight years into her marriage to Carl Dean, underscoring that it was not about a romantic breakup.
Wagoner, who had helped launch her career by backing her voice and signing her to RCA, reportedly cried after hearing it and agreed to let her go if he could produce the record.