Country music icon Dolly Parton recently revealed in an interview with BBC Radio 1 that she will always cherish her love for the late rock and roll legend Elvis Presley. Parton divulged that she had always dreamed of Presley recording her iconic song, "I Will Always Love You," but unfortunately, this dream never materialized due to a disagreement with Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

Parton recounted how everything seemed to be falling into place for Presley to record her heartfelt ballad. However, the night before the scheduled recording session, Parker approached her with an unexpected request. He insisted that Presley could only record the song if he obtained no less than half of the publishing rights. Devastated by the demand, Parton expressed her heartfelt disappointment to Parker, emphasizing the significance of the copyright to her entire publishing company. She recalled feeling “heartbroken” when the deal fell through, as she had been eager to hear the rock star's rendition of her beloved composition, knowing how much he adored it.

Surprisingly, Parton discovered that Presley had a deep connection to "I Will Always Love You." In a conversation with Priscilla Presley, Elvis's former wife, Parton learned that Presley had actually serenaded Priscilla with the song while they were walking down the courthouse steps during their divorce proceedings. This revelation further deepened Parton's desire to witness Presley's interpretation of the song.

Years later, another iconic voice, Whitney Houston, recorded a remarkable cover of "I Will Always Love You" for the soundtrack of the film "The Bodyguard." When Parton first heard Houston's rendition on the radio, she was overwhelmed with emotion. In an interview on "The Kelly Clarkson Show," Parton confessed that she "freaked out" upon hearing the cover and had to pull over her car. The experience was incredibly moving for her, and she described it as the "most overwhelming feeling."

Although Parton never had the opportunity to hear Presley sing her composition, she was able to find solace in a different way. On her upcoming album, titled "Rockstar," Parton collaborated with Ronnie McDowell, who had previously worked with Presley on the road. Together, they recorded a duet titled "I Dreamed About Elvis," a song Parton had written two decades earlier. McDowell's strikingly similar vocal resemblance to Presley allowed Parton to fulfill her dream of hearing Elvis sing "I Will Always Love You" in her imagination.

“Rockstar” is a highly anticipated rock album that features collaborations with a stellar lineup of artists, including Miley Cyrus, Pink, Paul McCartney, and many others. The album comprises 21 rock cover songs and nine original tracks, showcasing Parton's versatility and artistic growth. During an appearance on the "Today Show," Parton expressed her belief that this album showcases some of her best work to date. She emphasized that the project was a departure from her usual style, admitting, "I think so. Only because it's different for me. I wanted it to be good."

Interestingly, Parton initially declined the honor of being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. She confessed that she had never considered herself a rock star and therefore felt unworthy of the recognition. However, in November 2022, Parton was inducted into the prestigious Hall of Fame alongside eminent artists such as Eminem, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Lionel Richie, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, and Pat Benatar. Reflecting on her decision, she shared with host Hoda Kotb that she ultimately accepted the induction gracefully as she realized the significance of the honor. Parton further revealed her determination to embrace the rock genre by proceeding with the production of her rock album, seizing the opportunity to make the most of this unexpected accolade.