I Will Always Love You
Kenny Rogers; Dolly Parton Lyrics


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If I should stay
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
Bitter-sweet memories
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

Overall Meaning

The song "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton is a timeless ballad about an ended love affair. The lyrics are about a woman who is pleading with her lover to understand that although she must leave him, her love for him will never falter. She begins by acknowledging that her leaving may be painful but staying would only lead to more hurt. Even so, she will continue to think of him wherever she goes because her love for him is everlasting. She then goes on to reminisce about the things they have shared, but states that she cannot be what he needs. Despite this, she wants him to find happiness and love in his future, even if it is not with her. She ends the song professing her love for him and reassuring him that it will never waver.


Throughout the song, Parton's voice is both powerful yet vulnerable, conveying an emotional sense of determination tinged with sadness. The lyrics are potent, and the melody is beautiful, making "I Will Always Love You" an unforgettable classic that has touched the hearts of many over the years. The song speaks to the universal experience of love and loss, and the human desire to hold on to feelings that are both painful and beautiful.


Overall, "I Will Always Love You" is a reflective, bittersweet goodbye that allows us the freedom to be vulnerable while we say goodbye. It's both a song of love and a declaration of independence, speaking volumes about the hard choices we all must make in life.


Line by Line Meaning

If I should stay
If I chose to stay in this relationship


Well I would only be in your way
I know I would only impede your progress if I stayed


And so I'll go, and yet I know
Eventually I'll have to leave, but even then, I'll still think of you


I'll think of you each step of the way
I'll always have you on my mind, no matter where I go or what I do


And I will always love you
I will never stop loving you


Bitter-sweet memories
All I'm able to take away from this relationship are some moments of happiness and some of pain


That's all I'm taking with me
Everything else stays behind


Good-bye, please don't cry
Farewell, my dear. Don't shed any tears


'Cause we both know that I'm not
We both know it's for the best that I go


What you need
Cause I'm not what you require


But I will always love you
Despite all of this, I'll never stop loving you


And I hope life, will treat you kind
I pray life treats you kindly


And I hope that you have all
And I hope you achieve all of


That you ever dreamed of
Your dreams


Oh I do wish you joy
I really do wish you joy


And I wish you happiness
I wish you all the happiness


But above all this
But more than anything


I wish you love
I wish you love, always


I love you
I love you


I will always love you
I will never stop loving you


I, I will always, always love you
I will always, always love you


I will always love you
I will never stop loving you


I will always love you
I will never stop loving you




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

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.

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