Nearly 30 years after its release, monster hit “I Will Always Love You” sung by the incomparable Whitney Houston is certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The remade Dolly Parton tune became one of the most recognized love songs and best-selling singles of all time when Houston recorded a version of the song for the soundtrack of her first film The Bodyguard, where she played opposite Kevin Costner.
There were many renditions of the song throughout the years since its creation by Parton in 1973. However, Houston’s 1992 version, produced by David Foster and rearranged by both Foster and Houston to have a more R&B and gospel sound, became one of the best-selling singles by a female artist of all time, continuing to be a popular song even in 2022.
The single peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and R&B charts, as well as internationally in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. “I Will Always Love You” was also part of a list of signature songs that Houston became known for, including “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” and “Greatest Love Of All.”
“I Will Always Love You” quickly transitioned from a Gold certification to 3x Multi-Platinum in December 1992. By 2019, the single was certified 8x Multi-Platinum before reaching Diamond status on January 12, 2022. Houston earned the Record of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 1994 Grammy Awards for the single.
A load of other accolades rolled in for “I Will Always Love You,” including awards from the Billboard Music Awards, American Music Awards, Soul Train Music Awards, Japan Gold Disc Awards, and the People’s Choice Awards.
To date, the 4k music video published in 2010 on YouTube has amassed nearly 1.2 billion views and over seven million likes.
The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album sold over one million copies within a week and a reported 45 million copies worldwide. Other singles released in addition to “I Will Always Love You” consisted of the Chaka Khan remake “I’m Every Woman,” “I Have Nothing,” “Run to You,” and “Queen of the Night,” all which were industry and cultural hits in their own rights.
