Laux - I Will Always Love You

Aimee Laux Laux
ENG 1201
Prof. Sobocinski
4 February 2020
I Will Always Love You
In the song “ I Will Always Love You” sung by Dolly Parton, the main claim is that
if you love someone then you are willing to make sacrifices, even your own happiness to
give them what they need; even though it might be tough to walk away from that
person it doesn’t mean you’ll forget them or lose your love. In the same song by
Whitney Houston, the claim is similar. She didn’t have to walk away from anyone, but
even though they were separated, she will never forget that person or the love between
them. The two songs and videos declare that if you truly love someone, you will always
love them no matter what happens between you.
In Dolly’s music video, they open up the scene in what appears to be a house
getting ready to be sold, which could be a picture of change and moving on. Inside this
house, a man asks Dolly to take him as her husband. Dolly gives several reasons for why
they can’t be together because she would shame his public image, but she makes it
known that she wishes it could work between them. She starts singing about how she
will always love him even though they won’t be able to be together. The man is upset
after she sings and says these things which appeal to pathos.
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During Whitney’s music video, it starts with Whitney singing the song while
reminiscing on memories that appeal to pathos by showing the extreme emotion and
desire to be with the man she loves. One particular memory shows the care between
them; Whitney is in the middle of a past performance when the crowd gets too
rambunctious and pulls her down among them where she is clearly scared and
uncomfortable. The man notices and races to reach her, even shoving to make his way
to her as fast as he can. Once there, he fights the crowd away and picks her up in a
comforting fashion and carries her off stage. In another memory, you see the two
playing around with each other as Whitney held a sword. She pretended to hold it up to
the man who was not fazed at all; he took the sword from her, and then the memory
closes with them looking lovingly into each other’s eyes and leaning in for a kiss. As the
memories pan out, it becomes apparent that the two were separated through travel or
physical distance. This is shown by the two being frustratingly separated by an airplane.
All of these memories are evidence of first- hand experience. With the dramatic pauses
in the song along with the emotional contribution by Whitney’s soulful voice, and
additional touching memories playing in the background, this truly is a moving video.
These two videos relate because of the similarity in their claims. That true love
will never be forgotten or lost. The audience this really reaches out too is younger
people who are in love but separated by distance or by unfortunate circumstances. In
Dolly’s video, it seems to be especially so for the typical middle-class couple, for
Whitney’s, it could be specifically for an audience of show-business people. As the
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rambunctious crowd memory is playing, the man is seen with an earpiece and Whitney
is performing. Regardless of occupation, both music videos are sung to show that
whoever is singing the song, will never forget the love between them and whoever the
song is being sung too. Both music videos appeal to pathos, or stir the viewer’s feelings,
through powerful images and vocal arrangements. Whitney’s powerful images were
shown in her memories displayed throughout the video and Dolly’s imagery was shown
in the changes inside the house which resemble the changes about to happen in her life.
They make you emotional by showing the feelings between her and the man who just
proposed to her by seeing how much they want each other yet knowing it could never
work with them. Including how upsetting it is to Dolly and the man makes me pity them
as well as makes me sad because I imagine that happening between me and someone
that I love. It puts the viewer in their position and experience what they’re going
through; a mile in their shoes if you will.
In conclusion, the song “I Will Always Love You”, is performed to portray the
feelings of agape like love between the performer and their audience. That even
through trials or separation, there will always be loving memories and adoration for that
specific person.
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Works Cited
“I Will Always Love You.” Performance by Whitney Houston, YouTube, YouTube, 2010,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWTaaS7LdU. Opened 4 February 2020
“I Will Always Love You.” Performance by Dolly Parton, YouTube, YouTube, 2006,
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_utP1mGoutQ. Opened 4 February 2020

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Aimee Laux Laux

I Will Always Love You

love them no matter what happens between you.

Whitney’s, it could be specifically for an audience of show-business people. As the

through; a mile in their shoes if you will.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JWTaaS7LdU. Opened 4 February 2020

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_utP1mGoutQ. Opened 4 February 2020

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