By subscribing to Inspiring Quotes you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
In 1974, Dolly Parton — who has written more than 3,000 songs — was ecstatic when Elvis Presley wanted to record a cover of her latest hit, “I Will Always Love You.” But Presley’s manager told Parton the deal could only move forward if she signed away half the song’s publishing rights. “I cried all night,” she said about declining the offer, but the decision turned out to be one of the smartest of her career. Within the next 18 years, the song made two major film appearances: Parton sang a rendition in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” (1982) and Whitney Houston made the ballad one of the biggest recordings of all time via “The Bodyguard” (1992). Before Parton, no artist had garnered two No. 1 records with the same song, let alone three as a writer — and she kept all her royalties. As Parton acknowledges in this quote, sadness is finite, and enduring hardship is necessary to appreciate life’s joys.
20 Quotes for Coffee Lovers
9 Quotes That Define Intersectionality
Live a Harmonious Life With These Lyrics From Tony Award-Winning Musicals
14 Beautifully Poetic Quotes From William Blake
Leonardo da Vinci’s Advice for a Fulfilling Life
Quotes About Why Foolishness Can Be a Virtue
Quotes From Famous Recipients of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
12 Funny Quotes From the Women of ‘SNL’
13 Funny Quotes About New Year’s Resolutions
Quotes for Anyone Who Isn't Where They Want To Be in Life
The Best Quotes To Use in Wedding Toasts, Cards, and Vows