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11. 'I Will Always Love You,' by Dolly Parton

  • By Molly Driscoll Staff Writer

Parton's song, which she also wrote, was first released in 1974 as part of her album "Jolene" and was later reworked to be included in the soundtrack of the 1982 film "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," in which Parton starred. The song was later famously covered by singer Whitney Houston for the 1992 movie "The Bodyguard" and became one of Houston's most recognizable songs.

"The singer of 'I Will Always Love You’ is thinking about the lover – the singee, if you like – who’s been left for his own good," Telegraph writer Helen Brown wrote of "Love" (in a column which posited that despite Parton originating the song, it will always be Houston's). "Although the singer acknowledges she will always love him, she also acknowledges she’s not what he needs. And so departs taking only her memories and promising she will think of him every step of the way. So it’s a brave song."

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Mark Sappenfield
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