Gill was born in Norman, Oklahoma, the home of the University of Oklahoma Sooners and learned to play several instruments, including banjo and guitar before he started high school at Oklahoma City's Northwest Classen High School. After he graduated, he played in a number of bluegrass bands. He debuted on the national scene with the country-rock band Pure Prairie League in 1979, appearing on that band's album Can't Hold Back. Gill is the lead singer on their hit song, "Let Me Love You Tonight" (1980), which he was still performing in concert years later - thus, he said, confusing many fans who knew him only from his subsequent solo work. Gill appeared on two subsequent albums along with his then-wife Janis Oliver.
Departing Pure Prairie League in 1981, Gill joined Rodney Crowell’s backing band The Notorious Cherry Bombs, where he met and worked with Tony Brown and Emory Gordy Jr., both of whom would later produce many of his future solo albums.
Signing as a solo artist with RCA Records in 1983, he first charted while on that label. In 1989 he switched to MCA Records where he recorded his breakthrough hit "When I Call Your Name." His 1998 album The Key received great critical acclaim. His other albums include Next Big Thing (2003) and Let's Make Sure We Kiss Goodbye (2000). The Guitar Slinger Songfacts says that Gill released his twelfth studio album, Guitar Slinger, on October 25, 2011 via MCA Nashville. It was his manager, Larry Fitzgerald, who came up with the title, as he felt there was something different the way Gill was playing the guitar on the record.
Gill hosted the CMA Awards every year from 1992 to 2003. In 2004 he received a Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance. In 1997, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
He married country singer Janis Oliver (of Sweethearts of the Rodeo fame) in 1980. The couple have one daughter, Jennifer Jerene Gill, born 5 May 1982. Vince and Janis separated in the mid-1990s and eventually divorced in June 1998. Vince later began dating and eventually married Christian/pop singer Amy Grant in March of 2000. They have one daughter, Corrina Grant Gill born 12 March 2001.
Dire Straits leader Mark Knopfler was a fan of Gill's, and had asked Gill to join the band full time. Gill turned down the invitation but did sing backup on one song ("The Bug") from Dire Straits' album On Every Street.
Gill has also sung duets with numerous artists, including Dolly Parton ("I Will Always Love You"), Reba McEntire ("Oklahoma Swing," "The Heart Won't Lie," "It Just Has to Be That Way"), Amy Grant ("House of Love"), and Barbra Streisand ("If You Ever Leave Me"); his other credits as a backup vocalist have included "Girls With Guitars" by Wynonna Judd (written by Mary-Chapin Carpenter, who, coincidentally, had a country hit with her cover of "The Bug") and "Nothing Left Behind Us" by Richard Marx.
I Will Always Love You
Vince Gill Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I would only be in your way
And so I'll go, but yet I know
That I'll think of you each step of my way
And I will always love you
I will always love you
Bitter-sweet memories
Good-bye, oh, please don't cry
Cause we both know that I'm not
What you need
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
I, I will always, always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
I will always love you
The lyrics of Vince Gill's song 'I Will Always Love You' is a heartbreaking farewell between two people in love. The song begins with the singer acknowledging that if he should stay, he will only be in her way. The decision to leave, therefore, is the best option. The singer knows that he will miss her at every step of his way but leaving is inevitable. The chorus then repeats the words, "I will always love you," emphasizing that his love for her is something that he will never let go of.
The second verse starts with bitter-sweet memories. He acknowledges that he isn't taking much with him except for those memories that were made by the two of them. The singer then pleads with his lover, asking that she doesn't cry, as they both know that he is not what she needs. Thus, the decision to leave him and start a new life is best for her. Despite this, the chorus once again repeats the same words, "I will always love you," making it clear that his love for her will never die.
In the last part of the song, the singer conveys his final wishes for his lover's future, stating that he hopes life treats her kindly and she achieves everything she ever dreams of. Additionally, he wishes her joy, happiness above all this - love. However, in concluding the song, he reassures her that he loves her and will always love her.
Overall, the song explores the pain and heartbreak that comes with the end of a relationship. The singer must say goodbye to his lover, knowing that it is the right thing to do. However, despite the end of the relationship, the singer's love for his lover remains everlasting.
Line by Line Meaning
If I should stay
If I choose to remain with you
Well, I would only be in your way
My presence will interfere with your life and cause problems
And so I'll go, but yet I know
Hence, I have decided to leave, but I am aware
That I'll think of you each step of my way
I will miss you throughout my journey
And I will always love you
I will forever have affection for you
I will always love you
I will never stop loving you
Bitter-sweet memories
Memories that are happy as well as sad
That's all I have, and all I'm taking with me
Memories of us are all I possess, and that's what I carry along
Good-bye, oh, please don't cry
Farewell, I plead you not to shed tears
Cause we both know that I'm not
Since both of us know that I am not
What you need
The one you require in your life
And I hope life, will treat you kind
May life always be favourable to you
And I hope that you have all
May all your wishes come true
That you ever dreamed of
All your aspirations and desires
Oh, I do wish you joy
May you experience happiness
And I wish you happiness
I desire that you remain content
But above all this
Despite everything
I wish you love
I want you to find love
I love you, I will always love
I love you sincerely and forever
I, I will always, always love you
I will never stop loving you
I will always love you
I will forever cherish my affection for you
I will always love you
I will always remain in love with you
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Dolly Parton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paper Darts
It's amazing how easily and effortlessly Vince Gill can hit these high notes and stay in pitch perfect.
Helen Peirce
Absolutely beautiful rendition..
The pride in Dolly's face said it all ..
She wrote it and Vince ,like Whitney
delivered it perfectly 🎼💞
Raymond Fournier
Beautifully sung Vince. Thank you
Luke Thomas
I know Whitney's power ballad is iconic, and I appreciate her talent, but the gentler way Dolly and Vince sing it is the way it tugs my heart.
Eduardo King
Imo, the lyrics of the song is more suited for a more reflective and quiet rendition as is in the case of Vince and Dolly.
roberto giugni
great version... deep emotions from this man
glenn212now
It was really an inspired decision to let Vince sing this song that we're so accustomed to hearing from Dolly and other women. He nailed it.
Daniel Sumbayak
Vince and Dolly sang this song duets
bonnie benini
He’s so good !❤️
Tiymesha Maggini
this man sings for his heart and soul, he can make that guitar sing so the blood in you vines will fell the presence of God's love....