LINDA RONSTADT I will always love you Cover - REACTION - Whitney used her incredible template 

Love Linda's version I have always thought this was the best version of the song. You can feel the emotion in her voice.

Thanks for keeping Linda relevant... she is one of a kind!!!

I’ve never heard this version before. Wonderful song. Beautiful song. Dolly felt it, wrote it, recorded it. Incredible song! Whitney creamed it!!! But this version is awesome! I’ve always been in awe of Linda’s gift. So beautiful! Thank you Harry!

She was just a Doll! One of the nicest persons in show business!

Everybody knows Linda Ronstadt is an incredible singer, even a newborn baby. Thanks Hari! Can I quote you? ✌

Linda Ronstadt has the most beautiful voice. I send her prayers snd love and hope

This is the type of song where I will have all three version on my playlist. All three version are unique to the artist and exceptional.

From Linda's 6th album, " Prisoner In Disguise," from 1975, this is a beautiful version of Dolly's most loving goodbye song. From Dolly's low key gentle version to Whitney's full on belting version, Linda's version was the bridge between them and also the inspiration for Whitney's arrangement. Linda's beautiful vocals delivered so gently, but full bodied with sheer power, accompanied with such dynamics from the piano and strings. Just lovely. Great reaction Harri. Thanks Harri and Debbie. ❤👏👏 Cheers from Canada 🇨🇦

Best version of this song.. No one can out sing Linda...

I will always love Linda. Her voice is beautiful.❤❤😊😊

Simply love the woman. Another reason to be thankful. Chills, my friend. Thanks.

Linda Ronstadt is a legend, seen her in concert twice and is one of my top female singers Ever

And this is a something I always say you cannot unlove

Linda NEVER disappoints .. Hadn't heard her version of this before, but just knew she would hit it out of the park .. Which of course she did.❤

Lovely Linda Ronstadt. I just adore her!🖖🏼

What a beautiful powerful voice

THE version of this song for me. You’re right, beautiful. Really translates the lyrics. Another example of less is indeed more. This was also a quintessential early/mid ‘70’s blend of south California country into pop/rock music at that time.

Linda's pipes were gorgeous and combined natural strength with unadorned sorrow. She sang as herself. From the clubs to the arenas, in English or in Spanish, the rarest of songbirds.

Thanks Debbie and Harri for this, you can hear the obvious influence. Three absolute giants, Dolly, Linda, and Whitney.

What a beautiful voice. I love hearing her. There is so much power and feeling. I've been a huge fan for many years.

Actually, Dolly Parton wrote this song and recorded it years before Whitney did it. Whitney was cast in Kevin Costner's movie Bodyguard and her character was a famous singer. She sings a couple of songs in the movie but this one was not one of the songs that Costner originally chose. He learned that the one he had chosen was already being used in a movie that year so since he always really loved this song so he chose it for the movie. Whitney didn't want to sing it because she said it was a country song and not the type of songs she normally cared to sing. Costner told her that he knew she could do it well and so he sort of forced her to sing it and of course it became her biggest hit of her career. She also didn't want to take the part in the movie because she insisted that she was a singer not an actress. Costner also convinced her that she could play the part and told her that he work with her until she felt comfortable. If you have never seen the movie Bodyguard, you should, it is a great movie. Dolly Parton, EmmyLou Harris and Linda Ronstadt do a great trio version of this song, too, you should listen to it. I love Linda Ronstadt, what a talent. I have seen her live a few times, she was always amazing.

Fun fact since you mentioned Whitney - because I adored her - her mother Cissy Houston was one of Elvis’s backup singers. 🔥 but I equally, but for different reasons, adored Linda so, so much 🔥

Great reaction. Ms Ronstadt makes every song better.

Nobody could break a heart like Linda Ronstadt. This is the version that imprinted on me when it came out and will always be my fave.

She was a beautiful Woman ❤

Linda is so very awesome. Thanks for requesting her Debbie and the reaction Harri.

beautiful Linda!

HI Harri - thanks for this. I absolutely love Linda Ronstadt. She's one of my all time favourite female artists. She could sing anything. Saw her twice in concert and she was amazing. Her voice was so powerful and beautiful.

Beautiful. Linda is my all time favourite singer. Love this version and Dolly's original equally. Thanks once again Harri for the great reaction and Debbie for requesting ❤

Thank you Harri. I have followed Linda since I was a kid back in the 70's. I would buy every new album of hers. Glad you are spreading the word about this amazing singer.

Never heard Linda's cover before. Love it. Great request, Debbie, and great reaction, Harri.

Linda's recording differs from Houston's, in the fact that Linda's bluesy deliver was sung with the original intent of the song; which was an ode to mentor song. Not a song about romantic love, as it was used in The Bodyguard (Houston's recording).

Thanks Harri. This remains my favorite version but, as you know, I admit my bias. I still believe she has the most beautiful voice on the planet. Actually I did read somewhere that Whitney Houston said she had listened to this and fashioned her version after Linda’s. Anyway, it’s a gorgeous song and all three women did beautiful interpretations which reflected their personal takes on the song. Nice reaction Harri. Thanks again 🌺✌️

Debbie - This rendition by Linda Ronstadt is my favorite. It is understandable why others may choose Dolly Parton and Whitney Houston. Thank you, Debbie. Harri, you review was exceptional.

I never heard this before. Great rendition! Thank you Harri and thank you to the person who requested this song. I have been introduced to so much new, vintage music because of this channel. Thank you so much!

Thank you Debbie for choosing this tune, I never heard Linda sing it and I of course love it Linda Ronstadt is one of my top female vocalists of all time Love And Music Always 🎶💜🎵

❤️ linda

One of the greatest voices of her generation and did a couple of trio albums with Dolly Parton and EmmyLou Harris if you get a chance to check them out and Linda sang some of the most beloved songs of the 1970s and even performed on Broadway and was nominated for a Tony award. She is a wonderful artist.

I've always loved Linda's voice

Forget Whitney Houston's over the top rendition. Linda kills this with emotion and vocal control.

Thanks Harri, I never had heard Linda's version.

If you've ever wondered how we got from Dolly's version to Whitney's, now you know. The man who arranged Whitney's version said he took a lot of "inspiration" from Linda's version. Thanks for doing this Hari. ❤

I had a huge crush on Linda thru the 70’s - one of my most favourite voices of all time.

All three versions of this song are amazing however this one is interesting because of the country music and the soulful vocals

Oh gosh, Linda’s cover of Smoky Robinson great song

I think I actually like hers better than Dolly or Whitneys. Thanks for sharing that.😊

I agree with you in how you heard the three versions of this song. I always thought that Linda's version was the bridge between Dolly's and Whitney's as Linda took Dolly's touching, folky version to the level of an anthem which led Whitney to raise it even higher adding more drama and luxury.

I like this (Linda's) version the best ... to me, no-one can touch her !

She always let's the band do there thing. On all her songs.

Dolly loved Linda's version and a long friendship ensued as you know the legends recorded together with Emmylou Harris forming the supergroup, TRIO!!! Yes, it started with Linda asking permission to record the song and the DOLLY TV show in the mid 70s was the first time the publicly saw the three ladies together!!!

i love your linda ronstadt episodes - you feel the same way about her that i do xxxooo

I need Dolly Parton did the song first and then Whitney Houston but I don't believe I've ever heard Linda do it I grew up listening to Linda Ronstadt and I don't remember ever hearing her version

Linda Ronstadt often sang songs written by other artists. One of her best songwriters was Karla Bonoff (who herself was a pretty decent singer).

Sad about her vocal cords. What a beautiful Sweetheart. Take it Easy 🐴🌄

My first concert was Linda at Tanglewood in 1974. What a way to start my concert journey. Went back in 1975 and saw her again I still have one of the ticket stubs.

Omg I never heard this before ❤ I love Linda….

Lindas version is the best of all three

If I remember correctly! Linda heard Dolly recording the song and asked her if she could record it. Dolly said yes under the condition that Linda not release it as a single. Since Dolly had plans of releasing it herself

Since it's an album cut, I had never heard this one. Of course, Linda does it beautifully. My '70s crush is further validated. : )

Yes, it's right in between the Dolly's & Whitney's version!

This is my favourite version of this song. I'm just not a fan of belting, which is what Whitney did. However, the version she did in Bodyguard was much more nuanced and sensitive. I prefer it to her belting version.

I always thought the Prisoner in Disguise album was some of her best work.

Spot on.

On another video here on RU-vid, Whitney says it was Kevin Costner who suggested “I Will Always Love You.” Whitney was reluctant because it was a country song. Kevin Costner persuaded her to listen to the song with an open mind and imagine what she could do with it. She did, and the test is history.

Such a beautiful song with a beautiful voice it's great when it's not screamed and it's sung with emotion

Exquisite. This shows the distinction I draw between singers ( Ronstadt, Parton, Emmylou) and vocalists. Apologies to Whitney and her marvelous instrument, but this is a song, not a showpiece.

Had a little crush on her, owned a few albums (about 4-5$ a pop), clean and powerful voice.

It's always good seeing and hearing Linda Ronstadt. But I generally prefer the original version and Dolly Parton sings the one I will always listen to, but thanks for letting me hear this one too.

She was great friends with Dolly, so it's no wonder that they shared songs.

I had this album; loved it. God bless Linda, hope she's feeling better.

The story as told by David Foster is that when the song originally picked for Bodyguard, "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted", was used in the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, Kevin Costner wanted to switch to "I Will Always Love You". I don't know if Whitney or David actually ever heard Dolly's version, but they weren't sure a country song would work for Whitney. However, after Kevin played Linda's version, they both agreed that the song could be modified to fit Whitney's style and the rest is history. EDIT: I may have to take back what I said above. I found a different video where David Foster said Kevin Costner played Dolly's version and he knew right away that was the song. I swear there is a video where Foster said it was Linda's version, but I can't find it.

I love all three of these wonderful ladies' versions of this song. Yay RU-vid for being able to enjoy them all! I've always said that there were a lot of Linda influences in Whitney's version, thank you for getting the same vibe.

Great job by Linda again. Linda and Dusty Springfield are noted to cover songs as good or better than the original

Linda is the voice of my Boomer generation. Willie Nelson said 'there are 2 types of men; those who know nothing of her & those who have a deep crush on her.' She has providential gifts of her incredible voice & her natural beauty-----Please pray for Linda (& yourself if needed) to become BORN AGAIN (John 3.3) so that she can continue to share her gift in heaven----

So very sad...Linda is one of my all time favorite singers, period. Unfortunately, she can't sing at ALL anymore, Parkinson's Disease has taken her voice! 😢

Supposedly Dolly suggested that Whitney listen to Linda's version

I love the voices of Linda and Whitney, but for this song I like Dolly's version the best.

As you rightly think of Linda Rondstat and the affliction that has affected her ability to do what she has loved all her life, think also about John Farnham. Who has been singing professional since he was a teenager. As he has now found himself a victim of a cancer in his jaw. It has been removed and the doctors have given him a clean bill of health. But it is extremely doubtful that he will ever sing again.

linda is a great artist/songwriter. she unfortunately lost her voice several years ago due to a disease. listen to more of her older videos. a beautiful voice was stolen.

I listened to Dolly's original version of this song again recently, and, more than ever, it really struck me how her voice is almost as beautiful as mine. Sometimes on Saturday night I like to go down to the bowling alley and sing this very song while standing next to the counter where they rent out bowling shoes, and I always get a very strong reaction from different people all the way up until the time when they finally throw me out and I go to 7-Eleven for one of those "Hot-To-Go" trucker burgers or some soggy fish and chips that you can squirt lots of ketchup on from those little packets, and then I go home thinking, "I hate Carrie White."

You really can't compare Linda to this and that.Whitney had her style and Linda hers.They both killed this song with each other's perfect voice that nobody else was born with

While you're listening to songs by Dolly, you need to react to her song Hard Candy Christmas. It's one of her best!

When Dolly wrote the song it was her parting from her music partner. Linda and Whitney was styled for leaving a lost love.

My eldest brother died from complications of Parkinson’s. Mikie passed at 67, in 2019, he had offered himself as a guinea pig for Parkinson’s research. Ima thinking that if he hadn’t he may still be alive. But such is life, his passing was a blessing because he was in a 24/7 facility, and I would drive 210 miles to see him every month when my Disability check hit my bank. The last 6 or so months I’m not even sure he knew it was me when I’d kiss his forehead and give him a hug. It was a drive to Indianapolis from St. Louis, kiss mikie, and drive home.

I've said for years that Whitney Houston just tweaked Linda's version a little and called it her own. I hope Linda is getting royalties from Whitney's estate. She should.

Harri I want to request a reaction to a song called Green Grass and High tides by The Outlaws. It has the best guitar playing ever.

You have to realize that when Dolly Parton wrote the song it wasn't meant to be a romantic love song, but rather a tribute and show of appreciation to her friend and mentor Porter Waggoner. Linda was the one who changed the feel of the song to a romantic one. Whitney went off that...

I didntvknow either and I had a few of her albums...

WAY better than Whitney, and just as good as Dolly herself!

Linda was a better singer than Whitney and she's has more real life in her voice. No staged or practiced. No grand production necessary.

We didn’t like drama back then

Great version. For me Whitney's version is one of my least favorite songs ever. This one, on the other hand, is beautiful and doesn't hurt my ears.

Takin' Pills-Pistol Annies

I thinkit was Dolly who inspired everybody.

This song originally by Dolly was from the movie “best little whore house in Texas, sung to Burt Reynolds.

lindas version is much more restrained than whitneys quite frankly overblown rendition in my opinion

She didnt hear Dolly Parton Version(Whitney Houston)RIP

It’s Dolly Parton’s song.

I think the producer screwed the pooch on this one. Strip away to overbearing background music and replace it with something better suited to the song and it could have been an amazing version. Linda does her part.

Linda? Oh dear, you've got the story mixed up there. Linda's version is part of the story but it was Dolly's original version that made Whitney want it for the movie. The guy who produced Whitney's version, David Foster, has told the story of how Whitney came to record it many times. Whitney's is great, but a lot of the credit for ghe success of the recording must go to David who arranged and produced it. For example, the key change at the beginning of the final verse is a master stroke, and many peoples favourite part of the song.