In a 2014 interview ahead of her Blue Smoke album and world tour, Dolly Parton reflected on the obstacles behind her rise from poverty to international stardom. The article presents her life and songwriting as closely linked, highlighting how she protected her independence and turned personal hardship into songs that defined her career.

A central story concerns Elvis Presley’s interest in recording I Will Always Love You, Parton’s 1974 country number one about her painful split from singing partner Porter Wagoner. Presley’s producer said Elvis would require half of the publishing rights, a common arrangement associated with his manager Colonel Tom Parker, but Parton refused to surrender any share. Because it was the first song she wrote for her own publishing company, she considered ownership especially important, even though an Elvis recording could have brought major crossover success and royalties.