Houston’s 1992 recording, from The Bodyguard, is the version most Americans can hum. Parton’s original went to No. 1 on the country chart in 1974. Kevin Costner asked to use the song for the film. Parton said yes. Houston sang it and the world changed volume. Parton remained the writer. That distinction is easy to lose when grief turns every tribute into a montage, which is why the second note in this series stays with the credit alone: what happens when the louder channel becomes the only channel people can name.

Elvis Presley wanted to record the song. Published accounts say Colonel Tom Parker asked for half the publishing. Parton said no. The session did not happen. She later joked that Houston’s success paid her enough to buy Graceland. The joke had a spine. Short-term reach is expensive when you pay with ownership.