Why Elvis Never Recorded Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You

"I Will Always Love You" was still fairly new in the 1970s when Elvis Presley wanted to record the song — but he also wanted half of Dolly Parton's publishing rights and the singer and astute businesswoman didn't want to give that away.

"I said, 'I'm sorry, but I can't give you the publishing.' I wanted to hear Elvis sing it, and it broke my heart — I cried all night," Parton told W Magazine. "But I had to keep that copyright in my pocket. You have to take care of your business! Everybody's going to use you if they can. These are my songs — they're like my children. And I expect them to support me when I'm old!"

Parton also relayed her affection for the song, as well as another Elvis tidbit she learned after she turned down his bid to record her most famous tune. "Priscilla, Elvis's wife, told me that when she and Elvis divorced, Elvis sang my song to her. That touched me so deeply. And they also played the song at Whitney Houston's funeral. After that, I thought, I bet they'll play the same song when I go."