Dolly Parton: “I Will Always Love You” Track Review | Pitchfork

Ready Lily Goldberg’s review of the track.

Watching Dolly perform “I Will Always Love You” on The Porter Wagoner Show in 1974 can induce an itchy feeling, like the minutes before school lets out for summer vacation. See Dolly’s jittery hands at the end of the video—fretting with her sleeves, smoothing out the sequins on her dress, clasping and unclasping her fingers—and recall the simile she used in her 1977 song “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” to describe herself during that period: like a captured eagle. Many have written that “I Will Always Love You” was Dolly’s way to “soften the blow” of leaving Wagoner. Its lyrics feel familiar…

saved by

• brunella k
• Anna Brandenberger

related reading

• Rich as I Could Bewriting.mattshu.me
• The Philanthropy of Living Fully — Aishwarya Khandujaaishwaryadoingthings.com
• 'til death do us part | arielle lokariellelok.com
• and all the universe rests in your open armsidlygrazing.substack.com
• Having Already Walked Out On Everyone I Ever Said I Lovedcargocollective.com
• YUQI 'I Like You' Official Music Videoyoutube.com
• andrea gibson, "maybe i need you"youtube.com
• Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Nowjonimitchell.com
• Olivia Rodrigo - stupid song (Lyric Video)youtube.com
• Olivia Rodrigo – stupid song Lyrics | Genius Lyricsgenius.com
• Not Someday, Not Wherever: Program Notes on “Moon River” by Andrew Wu – Quarter Notes Magazinequarternotesmag.com
• What a Young Paul McCartney Knew About Growing Old - The Atlantictheatlantic.com