I've written a lot of things. Short stories, screenplays, feature news stories, bad poetry. I've recently tried my hand at songwriting, which is ridiculously intimidating because of the whole "needing to come up with an interesting melody" aspect.
But a good song is so much more than that. Have you ever heard a song and wondered how this person you've never met could nail your emotions so precisely? That's what a good song does. It's personal and universal at the same time. From a technical perspective, it can be performed any number of ways - acoustic guitar to full choir backing vocals.
"I Will Always Love You" is an amazing song. Dolly Parton wrote it in 1973 for her former mentor and later performed a sweet, understated version in the movie "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." Elvis Presley wanted to record it, but only if Parton sold him the rights (which she didn't). Linda Ronstadt recorded it in 1975. Whitney Houston made it world famous with her cover of it on the soundtrack of "The Bodyguard." (By the way, angry Facebook people - Parton still owns the rights to the song she wrote. It wouldn't have been used in "The Bodyguard" had she not given her permission, and she made bank off the royalties, so can we please stop with the "Sniff. That's Dolly's song" stuff?)
Jennifer Hudson sang "I Will Always Love You" at the Grammy Awards in honor of Houston following her death. This week, Chris Cornell performed it as well.
All of these recordings I've mentioned are beautiful in their own way, as different as they are. And that's how you know it's a truly great, timeless song.
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