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"I'll Always Love You"
Single by Taylor Dayne
from the album Tell It to My Heart
B-side	"Where Does That Boy Hang Out"
Released	May 6, 1988 (1988-05-06)
Recorded	1987
Genre	R&B pop
Length	4:33
Label	Arista
Songwriter(s)	Jimmy George
Producer(s)	Ric Wake
Taylor Dayne singles chronology
"Prove Your Love" (1988) "I'll Always Love You" (1988) "Don't Rush Me" (1988)
Music video
"I'll Always Love You" on YouTube

"I'll Always Love You" is a song by American singer Taylor Dayne and the third single from her debut studio album, Tell It to My Heart (1988). It was released on May 6, 1988, via Arista Records. It was penned by Jimmy George and produced by Ric Wake.

Dayne was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal for her performance on "I'll Always Love You" in 1989. The song was also nominated for Best R&B Song that year. "I'll Always Love You" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Background

The song is a romantic ballad, showcasing Dayne's softer side—after the first two singles released were mainly freestyle, dance-pop tracks—paving her way to the adult contemporary charts. It features sensuous love lyrics accompanied by a saxophone instrumental performed by Richie Cannata, who has played for other mainstream acts, including the Billy Joel Band.

Critical reception

Betty Hollars and John Martinucci of the Gavin Report responded favorably saying, "Taylor Dayne decelerates from 100BPM and coasts into a ballad. Urban stations shouldn't have trouble taking to this third release from her debut album, Tell It To My Heart."

Chart performance

This single was her first crossover hit, being her first song on the adult contemporary radio format and her only song to chart on the R&B chart. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100 during both of the weeks that "Don't Worry, Be Happy", by Bobby McFerrin, held the number-one spot (the weeks ending September 24 and October 1, 1988). "I'll Always Love You" stayed in the Hot 100 for 30 weeks, the longest time for any Hot 100 entry released in 1988. It also held the number-two spot on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart for two weeks, behind "One Good Woman", by Peter Cetera.

Track listings and formats

Charts

Certifications

In popular culture

In 2012, Dayne performed this song live on This American Life, using it to serenade comedian Tig Notaro, who, every time she had previously encountered Dayne, used to greet her by saying, "Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you, but I just have to tell you. I love your voice."

References

1. ^ "American single certifications – Taylor Dayne – I'll Always Love You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
2. Hollars, Betty; Martinucci, John (May 20, 1988). "Urban Contemporary Reviews". Gavin Report. No. 1707. p. 51.
3. "The Billboard Hot 100: Week Ending September 24, 1988, 1984". Billboard, Inc. September 24, 1988. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
4. "Taylor Dayne Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
5. "Billboard Hot 100: Week Ending September 24, 1988". Billboard, Inc. September 24, 1988. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
6. "Taylor Dayne - I'll Always Love You (1988, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1988.
7. "Taylor Dayne - I'll Always Love You (1988, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1988.
8. "Taylor Dayne - I'll Always Love You (1988, Vinyl)". Discogs. 1988.
9. "Taylor Dayne - I'll Always Love You (1988, CD)". Discogs. 1988.
10. "Taylor Dayne - I'll Always Love You (1988, CD)". Discogs. 1988.
11. "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry (submitted to charts.mail@aria.com.au), received June 17, 2014". imgur.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
12. "RPM 100 Weekly: October 22, 1988" (PDF). RPM. p. 6. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
13. ^ "Dutch charts archive". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
14. "German charts archive". charts.de. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
15. "Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
16. "Taylor Dayne Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
17. "Taylor Dayne Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
18. "Taylor Dayne Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
19. "Top 100 Singles of '88" (PDF). RPM. p. 9. Retrieved September 20, 2024.
20. "1988 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. Vol. 100, no. 52. December 24, 1988. p. Y-20.
21. "Billboard Top 100 – 1988". Retrieved October 3, 2016.
22. "Live Show Redux". This American Life. May 18, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.

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