"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).
The song is a romantic ballad, showcasing Dayne's softer sideâÂÂafter the first two singles released were mainly freestyle, dance-pop tracksâÂÂpaving 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.
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."
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. It also held the number-two spot on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart for two weeks, behind "One Good Woman", by Peter Cetera.
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."