Elvis Presley sang Dolly Parton’s 'I Will Always Love You' to Priscilla as they exited court after divorce
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Dolly Parton recently shared a wild moment from Elvis Presley’s past during a conversation with BBC Radio 2.
The country legend recounted Elvis' special connection to her iconic song, 'I Will Always Love You', while he was divorcing his ex wife Priscilla Presley.
Elvis Presley sang Dolly Parton’s classic to Priscilla as they finalized their divorce
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In her chat with BBC Radio 2, Dolly Parton shared that in a phone conversation, Priscilla told her that Elvis sang "I Will Always Love You" to her as they walked down the courthouse steps on the day of their divorce in 1973.
They exited the California courthouse arm in arm, shared a kiss, and then went their separate ways. It’s wild to think that Elvis chose to sing "I Will Always Love You" in such an emotional moment.
Parton said, “She said, ‘You know, Elvis sang that song to me when we were walking down the courthouse steps when we got divorced. He was singing to me, ‘I Will Always Love You.’"
Dolly Parton’s near collaboration With Elvis Presley
In a 2018 interview for UK magazine Event, Dolly Parton shed some light on how she almost collaborated with Elvis.
In 1974, Parton came close to having the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, record her iconic hit 'I Will Always Love You.' Elvis was set to enter the studio when his manager, Colonel Parker, delivered an unexpected ultimatum.
Parton said, "His manager Colonel Parker called me up the day before he was due to record the song and said, ‘Now you know Elvis has to have the publishing rights or at least half the publishing rights of any song he records.'”
Elvis would only record the song if Parton handed over 50% of the publishing rights.
Despite her admiration for Elvis, Parton had to turn down the offer, knowing how valuable her song was. She revealed in a 2018 interview how heartbroken she was, but ultimately stood firm, as protecting her publishing rights was a priority.
“That was my most important copyright at the time. If it had been a new song, I might have considered it,” the 'Jolene' singer said.
“I was desperate for Elvis to sing my song, but I couldn’t let that happen. It’s my song, my publishing rights,” Parton shared, explaining her difficult decision to walk away from what could have been a legendary collaboration.
