Dolly Parton Admits Some Artists ‘Ruined’ Her Songs With Bad Covers

Dolly Parton has long welcomed other artists covering her songs, considering it a compliment no matter the outcome. In a 1990 interview with American Songwriter, she expressed how meaningful it is when someone chooses to record one of her tracks — even if they change it.

“I’m always flattered that anybody would record my songs,” she said. “But certain versions give me mixed emotions. Sometimes I’ll hear one and think, ‘Wow, I never imagined it like that.’ And other times, I’ll say, ‘Oh Lord, they’ve ruined that song.’”

Despite the occasional cringeworthy rendition, Parton remains grateful. “You’re just glad somebody liked your song enough to record it,” she added. “But you do have your favorites — usually the ones who are making hits and making me the most money,” she joked.

The Whitney Houston Moment She’ll Never Forget

Among the many covers of her work, one stands high above the rest in Parton’s eyes: Whitney Houston’s 1992 version of “I Will Always Love You.” The performance stunned Parton the first time she heard it on the radio.

“My heart just started to beat so fast,” she recalled on The Oprah Conversation. “When it hit the chorus, I realized it was my song — I was overwhelmed.”

She was so emotionally impacted that she had to pull her car over to listen. “I was shot full of adrenaline. I could not believe how beautiful it was. That was a major, major moment in my life.”

Dolly Covers Others, Too

While many artists have reimagined Parton’s catalog, the legendary singer has returned the favor. Over the years, she’s recorded covers of iconic tracks like Bob Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind,” The Temptations’ “My Girl,” and Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven.”

The decision to tackle the Zeppelin classic came at her husband’s suggestion — though he was skeptical at first. “He said, ‘I didn’t want you to embarrass yourself, but it’s good. And it’s different,’” Parton shared in Dolly: The Biography.

As always, Dolly Parton continues to celebrate music — both hers and others’ — with an open heart and a fearless creative spirit.