Artist: Dolly Parton
Author: Dolly Parton
Label: RCA
Year: 1974
First as some sentimental tip of the hat to Porter Wagoner, Dolly's duet partner for seven years. Was a n°1 C&W for her twice, again in '82 as film theme of The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas (starring Dolly and Burt Reynolds).
Covers:
Johnny Logan [in Hold Me Now, Eurosong winner and n°1 B (see footnote)]
Whitney Houston [n°1 worldwide; even Dolly didn't know where to stack all these royalties]
Saffire [first lines from Bitch With A Bad Attitude; stretch the submissive opening line: "If I should stay, I'd only be in your way, And so I'll leave"]
Ann De Winne [as Altijd Zal Ik Van Je Houden]
Melissa Etheridge [on Dolly Parton tribute]
Jan Rot [as Voor Altijd Van Jou]
Il Divo [as Siempre Te Amare]
Romy Monteiro [in NL cast musical The Bodyguard]
Heather Headley [in West End cast musical The Bodyguard, followed-up one year later by Beverley Knight]
Glennis Grace [with Candy Dulfer]
The Eurovision Song Contest winner of 1987 showed striking resemblance with this Dolly Parton composition, not just melodically, also thematically: Johnny Logan's lyrics to Hold Me Now literally mention "I will always love you". See also: Alle Liebe dieser Erde.
If you noticed blunt omissions, mis-interpretations or even out-and-out errors,
please let me know:
Arnold Rypens
Rozenlaan 65
B-2840 Reet (Rumst)