Written by Dolly Parton in 1973 as a professional farewell to her mentor and longtime duet partner Porter Wagoner, "I Will Always Love You" remains one of the most lucrative and respected compositions in American music. While pop audiences frequently associate the track with Whitney Houston’s thunderous vocal masterclass for The Bodyguard soundtrack, Parton wrote the song with quiet resignation rather than triumphant power.
Musgraves honored that original narrative texture. Throughout her career, from Same Trailer Different Park through Golden Hour and Deeper Well, Musgraves has balanced Nashville traditionalism with modern lyrical sensibilities. Taking the stage at the VMAs to cover Parton was a deliberate reminder of country music's emotional core: narrative clarity and understated pathos. Her vocal delivery emphasized the pain of leaving someone while still wishing them grace, mirroring Parton's original recording produced at RCA Studio B in Nashville.
