The Life of Country Music Icon Dolly Parton

In 1974, Elvis Presley showed interest in recording “I Will Always Love You,” a possibility that deeply excited her. But his team expected her to give up half of the song’s publishing rights, which was a standard demand around some Presley recordings.

She ultimately refused, even though the decision meant losing the chance to have Elvis sing her song. At the time, it was painful, but keeping control of the publishing would later become one of the smartest business decisions of her career.