I recently had a disagreement with a friend. I think Dolly's version of I will Always Love You is a much better and sweeter version of this song. Whitney seems to me a little deranged in her version. After all, if a women started screaming at you like Whitney does you'd probably think the was a raving nutter and run a mile. What does everyone else think?
Mmmmmm mmm! His dinner... is in the oven!
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Dolly wins by a country mile.
Whitney Houston TOTALLY over sang this song. I have liked a lot of her other work, but she missed the mark with her version of this one.
Dolly's version is by far the quintessential example of how meaningful words combined with a heartfelt delivery (and of course a good voice) make a great song.
"We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." ~ Immanual Kant
There's no competition. Dolly's is the best, hand's down!
"Life is a banquet and most poor suckers are starving to death!" Auntie Mame
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Dolly, no question. Besides the aforementioned criticism of Whitney's vocal gymnastics and absence of emotion, I think Whitney got the dynamics wrong. Almost everything is blasted forte, and I think it was more about showing her power and range than anything else. Don't get me wrong, I think Whitney's an amazing vocalist and beautiful as well, I just didn't care for her interpretation of this one. I hate to see what's happened to her over the last two decades.
And don't short Dolly on vocals - she's got great pipes - and she has an amazing ability to know what's needed for each song. I can remember seeing her with Porter Wagner when I was a kid; I think a lot of her fans today don't really have knowledge of that era.
Dolly thanked Whitney for making her a million dollars.
Dolly actually wrote the song for Porter Wagoner, when she decided to leave her partnership with him.
Yes, but that's like mentioning that Van Morrison, during his live shows, has frequently thanked Rod Stewart for the money his version of "Have I Told You Lately That I Love You" brought in songwriting royalties. Van the Man's is still the definitive version and Stewart's is derivative crap.
shareAlthough I recall seeing this movie as a kid ~ that song never stuck in my head. Wasn't till I was much older and heard Whit's version that I loved. But just rewatched this movie and also can say that Dolly paved great way for Ms. Houston to redo the song.
Honestly I think originally style is always best but to me I can't say one over the other due to actually growing up knowing the song via Ms. Houston. So it's a tie.
I personally think it's bias to ask that question within a thread based for the original (Dolly) version. Ironically I recall when "BodyGuard" came out someone decided to ask same question and of course most ppl claimed Whitney.
Poop in his hand ... Poop in his hand
Dolly sings the song with emotion. Whitney sings it to show what great range she has and ends up making a version that annoys over time. In my case, a very short, short period of time.
shareWhitney amazes you with her vocal talent. But like someone said all I really rememberd was "I will always love". With Dolly it gets to your heart. You get what the song is truly about.
So its apples and oranges. To hear talent you like Whitney, to hear true meaning you hear Dolly. So yes you can love both. I would love if someone spliced the songs together.
It's probably one of the world's greatest love songs, but Dolly wrote it after she decided to split with her musical partner, Porter Wagoner, and to go it alone in the music industry. Porter had given Dolly her first big break singing on his TV show and to my knowledge there was no romantic aspect to this relationship.
I remember Whitney's version giving me shivers the first couple times, but over time the wibbling and showboating becomes tiresome. Towards the end she sounds like a fire siren.
Dolly's version is the one that has stayed timeless. The sweetness and childlike delivery of her voice really drives home the emotions.
Either way, Dolly minted it. It's the songwriter that gets the larger share of royalties, not the performer. Like I heard her say once 'I think of my songs like my children...I want them to support me in my old age.'
Dolly for sure...its a sweet song about the ending of her working relationship with Porter Wagner..she sings with such feeling..its a much better version...though I appreciate Whitneys as well
You get what you put in...and people get what they deserve....KR
Move, and I'll sock ya one!
Dolly, hands down.
shareDOLLY!!!! she makes me tear up everytime and whitney just makes me wanna turn the radio down and be angry because she gets more credit...
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Dolly is a better songwriter. Whitney was a better singer. Whitney was prettier. Dolly was REALLY built. I vote for Dolly. Dolly is smart enough not to mess with drugs. If it wasn't for drugs Whitney would still be with us. Drugs are bad poop. I am from New Jersey, not far from where Whitney was born and raised. I heard she was a lousy tipper.
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