Dolly Parton’s anguish over having to decline Elvis I cried all night but had no choice

Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and businesswoman, known primarily for her work in country music.

Dolly Parton has spoken openly about her admiration and love for Elvis Presley, but the country music legend also turned The King down, and she still wonders what could have been.

While Elvis was known for pursuing women throughout his career, it was unthinkable that Dolly would ever be involved in anything personal. Carl, her husband, has been her constant companion since 1966. The King expected a lot more from the Queen of Country Music than just a fling. He was desperate to record what would become her most famous song, a beautiful ballad so personal to him that he sang it to his wife as they exited the courtroom after their divorce was finalized.

Dolly said: “Priscilla, Elvis’s wife, told me that when she and Elvis divorced, Elvis sang my song to her. That touched me so deeply.”

“I’d been invited down to the studio to meet Elvis and be there when he sang my song. That’s the most exciting thing that had ever happened to me. Who doesn’t love Elvis?”

“He said, ‘Well it’s just a rule’. So I said ‘Well it’s not my rule’”.

“And I cried all night long, ‘cause I was so disappointed. It wasn’t Elvis, I loved Elvis, and I’m sure he was as disappointed as I was because he had it worked up and ready to go – I know he loved that song.”

Elvis say, “Hey, I bet you were as disappointed as I was about all that and I still dream about you singing that song.”

Dolly said: “I wanted to hear Elvis sing it, and it broke my heart – I cried all night. But I had to keep that copyright in my pocket. You have to take care of your business! Everybody’s going to use you if they can.”

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