I Will Always Love You
Dolly Parton feat. Kenny Rogers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well I would only be in your way
And so I'll go, and yet I know
I'll think of you each step of the way
And I will always love you
I will always love you
That's all I'm taking with me
Good-bye, please don't cry
'Cause we both know that I'm not
What you need
But I will always love you
I will always love you
And I hope life, will treat you kind
And I hope that you have all
That you ever dreamed of
Oh I do wish you joy
And I wish you happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
I love you
I will always love you
I, I will always, always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
These lyrics are a heartbreaking farewell to a lover. The singer acknowledges that if she were to stay, it would only hinder the other person's journey. Therefore, she has decided to leave, but that doesn't mean she won't be thinking of the person every step of the way. The phrase "I will always love you" is repeated several times throughout the song, emphasizing the depth of the singer's love for the other person, and perhaps also expressing regret at having to let go.
The bitterness of the situation is highlighted by the phrase "Bitter-sweet memories, that's all I'm taking with me," indicating that despite the love between them, circumstances have conspired to drive them apart. The singer tries to console the other person by extending her best wishes, hoping that life treats them well and that they find happiness and love in their future. The repetition of "I will always love you" at the end of the song reinforces that the singer's love for the other person will endure, even though they have gone their separate ways.
Line by Line Meaning
If I should stay
If I were to stay with you
I would only be in your way
I fear that I might hinder or obstruct you in some way if I stayed
And so I'll go, but I know
Because of that fear, I have to leave, but I know
I'll think of you each step of the way
I will remember and miss you at every stage of my journey
And I will always love you
I want you to know that I will forever love you
Bitter-sweet memories
I am taking both happy and sad memories with me
That's all I'm taking with me
Those memories are all I am taking
Good-bye, please don't cry
Farewell, please do not cry
'Cause we both know that I'm not
Since we both know that I am not
What you need
What you truly need or want in a partner
I hope life, treats you kind
I hope that life treats you kindly
And I hope that you have all
I also hope that you have everything
That you ever dreamed of
That you have ever dreamt of having
I wish you joy
I wish for you to experience happiness and delight
And I wish you happiness
I also wish for you to experience lasting pleasure and contentment
But above all this
However, more than anything else
I wish you love
I want you to find and experience love in your life
And I love you will always love you
I want you to know that I love you, that love will always exist between us
I, I will always, always love you
I, myself, will always, without a doubt, love you
I will always love you
As I have said before, I am certain that I will always love you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
onceIhadalove
Oh my God this is one of the most beautiful performances of this song EVER heard or seen! This is magical! Even better than the original! This should be released as a single. Another number one for these angels on earth, Kenny and Dolly. This is so beautiful it brings tears!
Julie Reid
I think it was. I remember hearing it on the radio as a kid…but one never knows where one hears things so many years ago
VLAD MARCUS
Dolly Parton is the original singer of this song
Iyabo Oyelade
When Kenny and Dolly comes together, you hear something magical in their voice
tessie andora
Yeah 🤘🤘🤘
Romans 8:38-39
I’m in tears. That’s what I call real voice. Dolly❤️Kenny
Jp Reddy
Once you've heard Whitney's version, you think it can't be topped! Yet, I'm loving Dolly's original version of her song! It really has its own vibe and carries a different feeling!
Joanne Short
+Jp Reddy Well Dolly did write this song, I much prefer her solo version. when Whitney first came on radio singing it i knew all the words and my kids rhought i was nuts, cos i kept saying this is a Dolly song
07sarida
Jp Reddy i absolutely love dollys verson. I get goosebumps all over. im not denying whitneys vocal talent but i found it lacked the emotion and rawness of dollys original song.
Miguel Augustus
Jp Reddy
Dolly made it heartfelt basically, less power and more emotions.