Neither was better than the other. They both a their own flames in their own lane. Personal preferences doesnt make one better.

I feel like we’re stirring.

I love Dolly, but Whitney was unparalleled. It’s unfortunate that she lived such a tragic life.

…but Dolly sings it *for* you, and she means it.

FWIW, I was born in 79 and the Whitney version was the first one I ever heard…

Dolly's plaintive, heartbreaking rendition will always be the one for me.

Whitney or Dolly

Dolly owns the song, Whitney only could rent it.

I like both versions!

The National League is better than the American League.

Windows is better than Mac.

Ty Cobb was better than Babe Ruth.

Summer is better than autumn.

My gal is red hot. Your gal ain't doodley-squat.

Et cetera, ad infinetum.

I enjoy them both but I have always preferred Dolly’s version, maybe because I watched her sing it on the Porter Wagoner’s show.

But, and I don't even mean this in a snarky way, if you think Whitney had more *emotion* than Dolly, I'm honestly not sure what Dolly version you're listening to.

This vocal coach explains my position better than I can:

But it’s all subjective/opinion!

Whitney does a riff in "The Preacher's Wife" that I transcribed because it's so brilliant...

She was amazing, I just think she sterilized this one a little too much.

no worries

yeah I'm a geezer

*I do put Dolly in a category of her own, she is unique

I was a teen just starting in performing. She came to the place where I was working and met with us for a few minutes.

I had to laugh. This was in 1981, and most of the people there were not exactly versed in her music, even if they knew the name.

I, of course, broke into 'Calling Occupants Of Interplanetary Craft', which is my fave Carpenters song. I also mentioned that 'Bless The Beasts And The Children' was one of my favorite books and movies.

She was so thin at that time. It was somewhat jarring to see her after seeing her image in the past.

she was so lovely and talented yet she had no self-esteem....I have read that her mother was a piece of work and I know what that is like.....

I just feel like Dolly is more…stylish, as opposed to Whitney going full send.

Both ways are awesome, but I do prefer the lighter touch.

softer, quieter and meaningful/thoughtful.

I love love Dolly's version.

Whitney had a good voice but I did not care for her style

I was never a Whitney fan , too much screaming.

The story behind the song

https://doyouremember.com/111500/dolly-parton-i-will-always-love-you

Dolly was heartfelt.

On account of all the many country-western sites out there, right now, whining about the current quality of C-W music---and longing for the "good old days" where 90% of such music was rendered by white guys, with another 9% done by white women, and Charley Pride plugged into the remaining 1%. These sites didn't spring up until artists like Beyonce successfully encroached on cowboy radio. I've seen a dozen of them on Facebook in the last few months.

No disrespect meant, sir pball...

They're both beautiful versions, and they each approach the song differently.