Heavy Metal Rock Star Takes on Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” And Nails It

While I Will Always Love You is touted as one of Whitney Houston’s signature songs, some people do not know that she was not the original songwriter. That’s right, Dolly Parton originally wrote and recorded the song in 1973. Parton loved Whitney’s rendition, as did most of the world. However, Whitney was not the last person to cover this iconic song. More recently, a heavy metal rock star put his own twist on it. Watch as Swedish star Erick Grönwall takes on I Will Always Love You and nails it.

“I Will Always Love You,” The Heavy Metal Rock Rendition

Who is this impressive vocalist? Erik Grönwall is a Swedish hard rock and heavy metal singer. People mostly know him for his incredible vocal range and dynamic stage presence. He easily lives up to his reputation with this performance. Some comments on his YouTube video read, “Whitney Houston just gave a standing ovation,” and,” Never heard this sung by a guy…and now I don’t want to ever hear it any other way! Absolutely stellar performance!”

This rendition of I Will Always Love You is not the metal singer’s first rodeo. This singer-songwriter and actor started his career when he won Swedish Idol back in 2009. In 2010, he joined the rock band H.E.A.T as their lead singer. He has had numerous top hits and become popular in America with his acting roles in NBC’s live television production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Time Rice’s Jesus Christ Superstar . In 2022, Erik Grönwall announced that he would be joining the American heavy metal band Skid Row as their new vocalist.

What Are Dolly Parton’s Thoughts?

Dolly shared her thoughts on Whitney Houston’s version after the rendition had been released. In an interview with Siris XM Town Hall , Dolly discusses the song. She mentions how Kevin Costner’s secretary had called her and asked for permission to take a copy of her song. Parton granted Costner and his team permission to use it and that was the last she heard about it. Dolly then goes into detail about the first time she recalls hearing Whitney Houston’s version of the song.

The singer-songwriter mentions how she was driving on her way home. She was listening to the radio when she heard the song come on. Then she goes on to say, ” I heard the A cappella and it was like a dog that hears its name or something”. Parton admits that it didn’t immediately register that it was her song but that it sounded familiar to her.

Once Houston got into the famous I Will Always Love You section of the song that is when Parton recognized it. Dolly states, “Honest to goodness, I almost wrecked…I had to pull over because I was so caught up in it.” She then goes on to say, “It was the most overwhelming feeling. That that little song of mine could be done so beautifully, so big, so overwhelming, that I really almost had a heart attack right there on the spot.”

Well, Dolly, we are happy you didn’t have a heart attack and that you pulled over safely to listen. Now, we all look forward to hearing what you have to say about Erik Grönwall’s version.

This story’s featured image is by Ethan Miller/Getty Images.

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