Anybody know if this is true or not??
CMT: Is it true that Elvis also wanted to record "I Will Always Love You"?
Parton: I hesitated to tell it for a long time because I thought maybe people would not take it right because it was Elvis. But Elvis loved "I Will Always Love You," and he wanted to record it. I got the word that he was going to record it, and I was so excited. I told everybody I knew, "Elvis is going to record my song. You're not going to believe who's recording my song." It's like one of those things I told everybody. I thought it was a done deal because he don't just say he's going to do something. Anyway, he sent word that he loved it and he was doing it. They get to town and they call and they ask if I want to come to the session -- and, of course, I was going to go.
Then Colonel Tom [Parker, Presley's manager] gets on the phone and said, "You know, I really love this song," and I said, "You cannot imagine how excited I am about this. This is the greatest thing that's ever happened to me as a songwriter." He said, "Now you know we have a rule that Elvis don't record anything that we don't take half the publishing." And I was really quiet. I said, "Well, now it's already been a hit. I wrote it and I've already published it. And this is the stuff I'm leaving for my family when I'm dead and gone. That money goes in for stuff for my brothers and sisters and nieces and nephews, so I can't give up half the publishing." And he said, "Well then, we can't record it." I guess they thought since they already had it prepared and already had it ready, that I would do it.
I said, "I'm really sorry," and I cried all night. I mean, it was like the worst thing. You know, it's like, "Oh, my God ... Elvis Presley." And other people were saying, "You're nuts. It's Elvis Presley. I mean, hell, I'd give him all of it." I said, "I can't do that. Something in my heart says, 'Don't do that.'" And I just didn't do it, and they just didn't do it. But I always wondered what it would sound like. I know he'd kill it. Don't you? He would have killed it. But anyway, so he didn't. Then when Whitney [Houston's version] came out, I made enough money to buy Graceland.
source: http://www.cmt.com/artists/news/1535...ey_elvis.jhtml
As far as I know, this story is true...I've seen it published before in several other books and interviews by various people.
Personally, I'm not entirely sure if this song would have worked for Elvis....I'm sure he would have done an AWESOME version of it for sure, but I just don't know if this song would have worked for him??
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
If Dolly says it, it's true. She'd have no reason to lie.
Her version is exquisite.
Whitney Houston butchered it - one of the worst songs ever.
Getlo - cute'n'cuddly
I sure agree with you Getlo...on both counts.
Diane
It's as though someone told Whitney Houston to just holler as loud as possible. She yells almost the entire time...Originally Posted by Getlo
I love Dolly's version.I am sure Elvis
would have done a lovely version, too, just different because of the different voice. Everything Elvis
I will never forget you Rosanne.
R.I.P. 4-27-59~7-22-09
Like maybe the song "Dominick"?????I love Dolly's version.
I watched interviews of dolly and she tells this story every time, its a true story. i love whitneys versioni dont think she butchered it she made it more modern.
elvislady
Couldn't agree with you more on this one Getlo!!
TCB!
Mike
R.I.P. Tommy
We will miss you dearest friend
yep i love song and as far as i know the story is true i think elvis would have sounded fantastic its a simple song and dolly does it great but whitney just takes it too far and i have heard her version so many times i am sick of it
I agree with you both.Couldn't agree with you more on this one Getlo!!
TCB!
Mike
This is another example of one of the many lost oppurtunites of the career of elvis presley.
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
I think this song would have made a Nr1. hit for Elvis. Or Elvis would have made it go Nr 1. He should have done it. But Whitney's version is just out of this world. Especially the Divas '99 live version. Goosebumps..
Elvis would have nailed it beautifully but Whitney's version is one of my pet hates
Rick
I`m trying to imagine an Elvis version but I can`t......actually I don`t think I`ve ever heard it sung by a male singer.....Hmmm...maybe if I concentrate harder!
Please, SleepyJack, concentrate harder!
Goodbye Rosanne...Your "family" in TCB will always remember you.
She told the story to a sweedish newspaper last year and then she also told that she has regretted it many times after, well, now it`s too late.....Anyway, I think that the puplising right issue in other cases also made it hard for Elvis to get new songs and thats really too bad......and sad
I love Dollys version- but I do not think Whitney butchered it. It sold 10 million copies and is usually in the top ten of any countdowns of greatest lovesongs. In March 2007, the United World Chart ranked Houston's "I Will Always Love You" as the most successful song released by a solo female artist. So if she butchered it someone bought alot of hamburger.IMO
I can't believe that no one has mentioned Linda Rondstat's version from "Prisoner In Disguise". Her version is simply beautiful.............
I don't think she butchered it either.I love Dollys version- but I do not think Whitney butchered it. It sold 10 million copies and is usually in the top ten of any countdowns of greatest lovesongs. In March 2007, the United World Chart ranked Houston's "I Will Always Love You" as the most successful song released by a solo female artist. So if she butchered it someone bought alot of hamburger.IMO
Some just perfer Dolly's version over her's....uincluding me.
Btw, that would be alot of hamburgers
"How do I get placed in situations like this? Ah hell, I guess it's all part of showbusiness "~ Elvis in his limo on his way to perform in Omaha, NE on June 19th 1977
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