Additional Coverage:
- Willie Nelson, Who’s Still Making Music at 93, Announces His Latest Song Is a Dolly Parton Classic (parade.com)
At 93 years old, Willie Nelson continues to impress with new musical ventures, most recently recording a rendition of Dolly Parton’s cherished classic “I Will Always Love You.”
In a recent conversation with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Nelson disclosed that he had just laid down his version of Parton’s iconic 1974 hit during his latest studio session. When Cooper mentioned the song, a member of Nelson’s team confirmed the news, catching the interviewer by surprise.
“That’s a great song,” Nelson said. “Yeah, my last session. It was a great song, very positive song.”
While Nelson did not specify when or if this new recording will be released, the timing is poignant. Dolly Parton passed away on August 25, 2026, at the age of 80, just weeks before this news emerged. Reflecting on their last interaction, Nelson shared that he was unaware of the severity of her illness.
“She was great. I loved her,” he said.
“I had no idea. I did an interview with her shortly before that, and she seemed fine.”
The Legacy of “I Will Always Love You”
Dolly Parton originally wrote and released “I Will Always Love You” in March 1974 as a heartfelt goodbye to her mentor and partner Porter Wagoner, as she embarked on a solo career. The song quickly rose to No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart by June of that year.
Parton re-recorded it in 1982 for the soundtrack of The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, again hitting the top spot on the country charts. The song gained global recognition in 1992 when Whitney Houston’s powerhouse rendition for The Bodyguard soundtrack dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks.
More than five decades after its initial release, the song now receives Willie Nelson’s distinctive interpretation.
Willie Nelson’s Unique Vocal Style
One of the most compelling aspects of Nelson’s upcoming version is his signature style-loose, conversational, and deeply personal. Nelson has often cited Frank Sinatra as a major influence, particularly admiring how Sinatra never sang the same song the same way twice.
In a 2021 interview, Nelson remarked, “He never did the same song the same way twice,” praising Sinatra’s ability to vary phrasing from performance to performance. Nelson sees this as a guiding principle in his own singing, sharing in 2020, “I don’t think I do either.”
He credits Sinatra for teaching him how to “play with the beat,” making his delivery feel natural rather than strictly melodic. This approach makes Nelson’s take on “I Will Always Love You” especially anticipated, as he reimagines a song millions already know in a fresh and intimate way.
With Willie Nelson’s lifelong knack for breathing new life into familiar tunes, his rendition of this timeless classic promises to be a fitting tribute to Dolly Parton’s enduring legacy.