I'll Always Love You (Taylor Dayne song)

1988 single by Taylor Dayne

"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

July 1988

Recorded

1987

Genre

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

"Taylor Dayne - 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). The song was written by Jimmy George and produced by Ric Wake. It was also released as the album's third single in July 1988 by Arista Records. 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.

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.

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).^[1] "I'll Always Love You" stayed in the Hot 100 for 30 weeks, the longest time for any Hot 100 entry released in 1988.^[2] It also held the number-two spot on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart for two weeks, behind "One Good Woman", by Peter Cetera.^[3] "I'll Always Love You" was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Track listings and formats

US, 7" vinyl^[4]

A1: "I'll Always Love You — 4:18

B1: "Where Does That Boy Hang Out — 4:18

US, 12" vinyl maxi-single^[5]

A1: "I'll Always Love You" (Single Mix) — 6:40

A2: "I'll Always Love You" (Extended Mix) — 7:40

B1: "Tell It To My Heart" (House Mix) — 8:54

B2: "Prove Your Love" (House Mix) — 7:30

US, Cassette single

A1: "I'll Always Love You — 4:18

B1: "Where Does That Boy Hang Out — 4:18

Japan, 7" vinyl^[6]

A1: "I'll Always Love You — 4:18

B1: "Where Does That Boy Hang Out — 4:18

UK, 7" vinyl

A1: "I'll Always Love You — 4:18

B1: "Where Does That Boy Hang Out — 4:18

UK, CD single^[7]

"I'll Always Love You" (Extended Mix) — 6:40
"Prove Your Love" (House Mix) — 7:30
"Where Does That Boy Hang Out — 4:18

Germany CD single^[8]

"I'll Always Love You" (Extended Mix) — 6:40
"Prove Your Love" (House Mix) — 7:30
"Where Does That Boy Hang Out — 4:18

Australia, 7" vinyl

A: "I'll Always Love You — 4:18

B: "Where Does That Boy Hang Out — 4:18

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1988)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)^[9]	86
Dutch Singles Chart^[10]	85
Germany (Official German Charts)^[11]	38
Italy (FIMI)	12
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)^[10]	30
UK Singles (Official Charts Company)^[12]	41
US Billboard Hot 100^[13]	3
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)^[14]	2
US Hot Black Singles (Billboard)^[15]	21

Year-end charts

Chart (1988)	Position
US Billboard Hot 100^[16]^[17]	20

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[18]	Gold	500,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Covers

In 1988, Filipina singer Sharon Cuneta covered her version and featured on her comedy movie, Jack & Jill Sa America released by VIVA Entertainment in the Philippines.
In 1989, Tito Nieves Released a Salsa version which is on his album, Yo Quiero Cantar.

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."^[19]

References

^ "The Billboard Hot 100: Week Ending September 24, 1988, 1984". Billboard, Inc. September 24, 1988. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
^ "Taylor Dayne Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
^ "Billboard Hot 100: Week Ending September 24, 1988". Billboard, Inc. September 24, 1988. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
^ "Taylor Dayne - I'll Always Love You (1988, Vinyl)".
^ "Taylor Dayne - I'll Always Love You (1988, Vinyl)".
^ "Taylor Dayne - I'll Always Love You (1988, Vinyl)".
^ "Taylor Dayne - I'll Always Love You (1988, CD)".
^ "Taylor Dayne - I'll Always Love You (1988, CD)".
^ "Response from ARIA re: chart inquiry (submitted to [email protected]), received June 17, 2014". imgur.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2015.
^ ^a ^b "Dutch charts archive". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ "German charts archive". charts.de. Archived from the original on December 21, 2014. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ "Official Charts Company". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 20, 2011.
^ "Taylor Dayne Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
^ "Taylor Dayne Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
^ "Taylor Dayne Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.
^ "1988 The Year in Music & Video: Top Pop Singles". Billboard. 100 (52): Y-20. December 24, 1988.
^ "Billboard Top 100 – 1988". Retrieved October 3, 2016.
^ "American single certifications – Taylor Dayne – I'll Always Love You". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
^ "Live Show Redux". This American Life. May 18, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2012.