Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You": A Ballad Born From Breakups (and Bodyguards, Maybe)
Let's face it, Whitney Houston absolutely belted out "I Will Always Love You." Like, the woman hit notes that would make angels faint. But here's the thing: the road to that iconic performance was paved with, well, heartbreak and a whole lotta movie magic.
Dolly Parton Wrote it With Tissues in Hand (Probably)
Yes, you read that right. The queen of country herself, Dolly Parton, penned this timeless ballad. But it wasn't exactly sunshine and rainbows when inspiration struck. Dolly was leaving a long-term professional partner (not romantically, folks!), and let's just say the goodbye wasn't exactly a Hallmark moment. Out came the tissues, out came the song!
Houston Almost Sang Something Else Entirely
Can you imagine a world without Whitney gracing us with "I Will Always Love You?" It almost happened! Originally, the plan was for her to sing a different song for the "The Bodyguard" soundtrack. Thankfully, her co-star Kevin Costner (heartthrob status: confirmed) had other ideas.
Enter Kevin Costner: The Musical Matchmaker (Not Really, But Still...)
Legend has it that Costner, ever the charmer, whipped out a cassette tape (yes, a cassette tape!) featuring Linda Ronstadt's cover of Dolly's song. Whitney listened, her vocal chords probably did a happy dance, and the rest, as they say, is history.
So How Did She Sing It? With Soul, Obviously
But seriously, Whitney Houston's rendition of "I Will Always Love You" is a masterclass in vocal power and emotional delivery. She starts soft, vulnerable, then builds to a crescendo that could launch a rocket ship. It's clear she poured her heart (and maybe a touch of breakup spirit?) into the song, making it an instant classic.
So there you have it! The story of "I Will Always Love You" is a surprising mix of heartbreak, on-set movie magic, and a whole lotta Whitney. Next time you hear it, remember the tissues, the cassette tape, and the undeniable talent that made this song soar.
