The best way I’ve heard it said is that Whitney sings it for the whole world, Dolly sings it just for me.

Don't care if I'm in the minority i prefer Dolly's version.

Dolly Parton has always worn wigs since the beginning of her career. An interviewer asked her once if dumb blonde comments troubled her. Her reply was "No. Because I know I'm not dumb and I know I'm not blonde."

This was on The Porter Waggoner Show. Dolly agreed to be on the show for five years. When her contract was up, Porter was upset that she was leaving. She wrote this, and Jolene, in one night. She sang it for Porter.

Dolly's is soft, retrospective and tender. Whitney's is powerful, emotional and iconic. Both are absolute 🔥🔥🔥

She has such a pure voice. Dolly wrote this song, but she loved Whitney's version of it.

Someone once asked Dolly how long it takes to get her hair done. She said, "I don't know; I'm never there."

She wrote this wrote for her singing partner Porter Wagner when she went out as a solo artist

You certainly never go wrong with Dolly. Her story of her coat of many colours is so touching.

Dolly sang this song like a sweet song bird. Whitney sang it like a screaming eagle. Both ladies did a wonderful job with this song. Dolly said she was able to put some money in the bank after recording it. She went on to say that she was able to buy the bank after Whitney recorded it.

When someone once asked for her opinion on people who have covered her songs, and Dolly answered, as long as the checks are deposited and clear, she doesn't care 🤭

Miss Dolly Parton was strong and independent LONG before it was a thing. What a classy human. She also does a lot of good things for her fellow humans. A National treasure ❤️🙏👏.

Dolly wrote this song back in the 70s

Dolly always says “It takes a lot of money to look this cheap.” She’s always been well known for four things: her wonderful voice, her outlandish wigs, and well you know the other two things.

One of the purest heart and soul's you'll ever see right there!

Dolly Parton is beautiful inside and out. She sings from the ♥️ Wrote this song and means it for the world.

Which version is better? Easy. Imagine your wife or girlfriend whom your in love with sat you down on a couch and sang this to you. Which version would have you on the floor in tears, gasping for breath that wouldn't come. You know the answer if your honest. One version is a performance. The other is from the heart.

I like both versions. Whitney’s with the video was dramatic and well done. Dolly sang it gracefully and softer. Whitney’s was a first class example of a beautiful and talented voice. They both did great in their own way. Whitney discussed it with her and asked for her blessing. Dolly said I would be honored. She said, watching Whitney sing it broke her heart because it was beautiful and so well done. Dolly wrote the song. Dolly sounds as good live as a recording. The reason Dolly is so wealthy outside of her amazing talent at running and owning so many other ventures outside of music….is she owns her own music and all legal aspects. That song made Whitney a small fortune and Dolly as well. In fact she made more. Dolly never allowed anyone to own her rights….well ahead of her time in regards to getting all the ownership. Another reason many singers have respected her and went to her for advice and how to run their business and how to negotiate contracts within the music industry. Well ahead of her time in this aspect. Her wealth related to her music endeavors is estimated at over 350,000,000. Her business adventures are through trusts etc and while controlling it, they are not in her name but the trusts. It estimated these are worth about the same amount although not titled in her name. Great singer and amazing business woman. Another tidbit of information. When they had those terrible flood several years ago near Dollywood and people lost their homes some of them did not have insurance to cover everything. Dolly rebuilt several homes and gave them to their owners free and clear. She also donated several million dollars to those in a flood fund. This is why she is so popular and famous where she’s from not just because of her singing. She is well loved. You can read about that online if you would like. The coat of many colors… A true story. I guess it’s safe to say, she has done quite well for herself since wearing that coat as a little girl.

I about fell out of my chair laughing when you said it looks like someone just put her hair there.... they did.

My Mama's favorite singer and favorite song. She requested we play this song at her funeral and we did. When my son got married, we did the mother/son dance to this song so a little piece of my Mama could be there

Dolly wrote the song and recorded it and performed it on stage 20 years before Whitney Houston.

The lyric makes sense with Dolly, pure emotional and not only showing vocal skills.

It's Dolly's gentleness that makes this song so powerful. You guys are great and I love your reaction!

My favorite remark by Dolly was when she was chatting with Johhny Carson about her appearance and she said, "You know, it takes a lot of money to look this cheap."

She calls her wigs her “ haystacks”. “ The higher the hair , the closer to God”. She wrote this song and Elvis wanted it. His manager demanded she give him the rights to her song. She refused. 25 years later, Whitney got it! Dolly cried all the way to the bank!

In 1966 or 67, Dolly became a regular performer on The Porter Wagner Show. They fought like cats and dogs (Dolly's words). When her contract was up, Dolly was ready to move on. Porter wanted her to stay, even going so far as to tell her she owed it to him. She wrote this song in one night hoping it would explain how she felt and how grateful she was to him. She sat him down and sang it for him. But he was just too angry. She left the show and went out on her own. Porter actually sued her for the rights to the songs she wrote while under contract with him. And he won the suit. Her songs were legally his. Years later, Porter was sick and broke and mostly forgotten, except in Nashville. He was selling all those songs that he had won. Dolly Parton bought all her songs back from him. Dolly has a beautiful heart full of compassion and forgiveness. She felt no sense of justice or revenge. After buying the songs from him, she gifted them back to him. Even though I loved this song first by Dolly Parton, I also really liked Whitney's version. Whitney Huston's mother, Cissy Huston was one of Elvis Presley's backup singers called "The Sweet Inspirations". Cissy Huston later had a stellar career as a gospel singer.

Dolly’s a legit queen! ♥️ yawl

So beautiful thank you for this

I have never seen another performer make singing a song look so completely effortless the way Dolly does. It's just one of many ways this goddess of music is utterly unique. There is no one else like Dolly Parton.

Both versions were AWESOME. Liking one, does NOT detract from liking the other.

It’s a different song when Dolly sings it. Both versions are wonderful

Dolly is a classic in Country, to be sure. But she's not nearly old enough to be one of the Pioneers. She was born in '46 and her career really began in the mid to late 60's. Country Music's been around going back a lot longer than that. If you want to talk Pioneers, take a look at the Carter Family (June later married Johnny Cash).

Dolly has always been so thankful for all she has now after growing up in a cabin in the smokey mountains 1 of 12 children. She had some great wigs... All wigs.. But she wrote this for Porter Wagner when she was leaving the show and then was so grateful for Whitney singing it... she's so funny she always loved Whitney's version but because Dolly wrote it... made Dolly a boat load of money.

Dolly wrote it, and she's the BEST at this song.

Whitney’s version always sounded like they were saying good bye for a while but would eventually meet again Dolly’s version (the original) always sounds like good bye forever

Not a huge country fan but…When it’s all said and done, this little country girl will go down as the greatest American songwriter ever. An absolute powerhouse. She’s a legend, and for good reason. A treasure.

Dolly was singing about leaving Porter Wagoner ......a heartfelt goodbye.......Whitney's was an epic show stopper.....both the best version.......Dolly wrote it for a personal reason

I'm in Knoxville Tennessee . I've been to Dollywood several times . It's a blast. I recommend everyone who visits Tennessee to go there. They'll be doing their Christmas Lights Setup . It's Beautiful .

Dolly Parton masterpiece she wrote

I love watching folks hear this for the first time and seeing the instant face of recognition

And you guys haven't realized that this was Whitney's number one hit, written by and sang by Dolly.

I have had a crush on Dolly since I was like 7 or 8. I don't care if she is in her 70s now, if she approached me I would totally leave and go be with her as a life long dream... but in reality she has always been amazing.

"There Was Jesus" A great duet with Dolly singing along with Zach Williams...

Dolly wore wigs most of the time. When she didn't wear a wig & her clothing was more muted you would not recognize her, at least I didn't until she spoke. Very nice person to us. She wrote this song for Porter Wagoner (that is this show clip) & his band is backing her. Whitney Houston might have had the pipes but Dolly's version had the emotion, that may be why it was the most used song for a long time.

Dolly and her wigs!! She loves them and has NO SHAME! Love her.

She wrote this and Jolene in one day.

No Auto-Tune, Just Talent.

I lived in Texas for almost 25 years and I've been to the original Buc-ee's in Luling, and the largest Buc-ee's in New Braunfels, and I don't believe any of the Buc-ee's even sells alcohol. With respect to the song reaction--one measure of the greatness of a song is how it can be beautifully interpreted, and I love both Ms. Parton's and Ms. Houston's renditions pretty much equally. I'd only give an edge to Ms. Parton because she composed the song as it had personal significance to her and was the first to perform it. Oh how I wish Ms. Houston were still with us, God rest her soul, she had so much more talent to share.

First time I heard this song I was 17 yrs old she made me cry then I heard Whitney and you always remember the original . But when I hear Whitney she but soul into it and loved it I still remember dolly love u both

lol, she's the queen of wigs. This isn't her best recording of the song, she was going through some tough times with her contract. She wrote it, and Whitney made it a production masterpiece. Props to Both! Peace, Love!

This is how the song should be done, the original and best. Dolly

Dolly wrote this song she literally owns it and yes hers as far as the preferred version.

*This is the only song in the world to become No1 on Billboard charts for 2 artist (Dolly & Whitney) and it was in the No1 spot twice for both artist.....AND the only same song to also be featured in movie soundtracks & for the same 2 artist acting in the movies.*

Dolly is a LEGEND. This is how you sing this song. She is singing to you only

No Wonder Why this is THE BEST COUNTRY LOVE SONG

She is "speaking" to the show host, Porter Wagner, who comes on at the end (see full video clip) and says "It sounded like you meant it.." She did. She was leaving his show to go solo, and this was her goodbye song. He went broke in later years, and Dolly bailed him out. A beautiful human being with the voice of an angel.

Dolly sings this song to Burt Reynolds in the movie/comedy “The Best Little Whore House in Texas”. A fun movie to see and those costumes Dolly wears are something else! RIP Burt, Jim Nabor, Charles During, Lois Nettleton and Dom DeLuise. Cheers

She is such a talented song writer she wrote this and Jolene on the same day. Just think about that!

And she did both this song and Jolene 50 years ago, when she wrote them.

Dolly always wore wigs!!! 😊 she wrote this song. I like her voice.

Dolly sings this song with tenderness...the way she wrote it.

It’s a wig y’all, she’s made no secret of being plastic which just contributes even more to her GOAT status!

Just think how long ago this was too?? She NEVER changes!! No effort to perfect a voice!!

She’s a storyteller singer!♥️

Lord the royalties she has made from this song!!

no one will ever be able to touch this song like Dolly. she wrote it for her late boss Porter Wagoner

She wrote this for porter wagner when she was leaving

I'm 65 years old now and when I was a little kid about 8 years old Dolly Parton was on TV on the Porter Wagoner show. He is a country music entertainer and is still around. But I remember my dad but I always want to watch Dolly Parton sing. She was at least 18 or 20 years old at that time and she is still singing and performing now.

You said it brother 💕 pioneer in women's country. Her and Loretta Lynn. Love you two 💕

I love Dolly ❤️

This song was a #1 hit twice for Dolly before Whitney recorded it. Once when it was first released and once when it was used in the movie "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas."

Her voice is so distinctive

I so love Dolly...a real legend with a beautiful voice✌️🤗👍🏻

Dolly is famous for her wigs. Check out Dolly's "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind".

When reporters asked her how long it took her to do her hair, she’d always say, “I don’t know, I’m never there there when they do it!”

by the way she wrote Jolene and I Will Always Love You the same night

Dolly wrote this for Porter Wagoner. She was leaving his show and he didnt want her to leave. So she wrote this to kinda smooth things over and make the transition less heartbreaking for Porter.

Favorite female singer

Here is a tid bit fact: Dolly Parton was delighted by the prospect of Elvis Presley covering her record, it was the future of the song’s publishing rights that drove her to say no.

I've always loved dolly's original version over Whitney's. dolly one sounds more believable and emotional. it's not always about powerhouse and vocal gymnastics.

Dolly is famous and proud of wearing her many wigs....

She wrote this for Porter Wagoner, though not a romantic relationship, he was pretty tore up about her leaving his show, so she wrote this song. Its pure & honest, which is Dolly.

I've always loved to hear her sing her music she is such a beautiful person.

I love listening to Dolly

There is a huge story behind this song. You should watch some of her interviews. She didn't let Elvis record one of her songs. Dolly is Dolly and she is a treasure.

At Exit 407 on I-40 they are building a Buckees. It is the exit for Dollywood.

Before Dolly Parton, there was the first Queen of Country Music, Kitty Wells! Kitty Wells/It wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels Kitty was the first female country music superstar and opened the door for all the big female country music artists that followed.

She wrote it as a goodbye to the gentleman with her. He wanted her to stay on his show, but she wanted to go her own path. She wanted to let him know that she still cared about him. He went in a downward spiral after she departed and was angry with her for several years. All of his music was taken by the producers and sold. When she had enough money, she bought all of his music and gave the rights to it back to him. When she said "I did sorta mean it.", she most certainly did.

Dolly has her own wig line Asia, check it out….they’re top notch wigs

Dolly's hair is perfect because she wore wigs back then. Thank you for listening to Dolly's version of this song, since she wrote the song. You mentioned Jolene, she wrote that as well, and yes she does a great job. She often sings it with her God Daughter Miley Cyrus and they do a wonderful job singing it together. Happy Monday!

Dolly is the only artist that has taken a song to #1 three times. It was #1 in the 70s then her duo with Vince Gill went to #1 and then Dolly took it there again after that. Also she wrote it.

The Queen of Country.

Dolly wears wigs. Always

Great Dolly song.

Watching Asia’s face during this was fascinating, I felt like I could see what she was thinking

Dolly is such a humble woman.

I love dolly singing this but I like the movie version. Dolly the best cause it was from the heart

That is 1974, Dolly is the singer/writer of this song

love us like a butterfly, is beautiful

Great job guys! Enjoyed and yea Dolly one of the greatest (and I'm not a country fan, just her and Leann Rimes).