Dolly Parton has made history in many ways. One such way was by setting a record with her iconic song “I Will Always Love You.”
Parton first released “I Will Always Love You” in 1974. It went on to become a #1 hit on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart.
She later recorded a new version of the song for The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas soundtrack in 1982. That version claimed the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart as well, and set a record in the process.
Parton became the first artist to ever have the same song reach the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart more than once. Until recently, no one else was able to replicate her accomplishment.
But after 39 years, another artist has finally tied her record…Taylor Swift.
On February 12, 2021, Swift released a re-recorded version of her 2008 single, “Love Story.” The original version of the song was a #1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and so is the remake.
In fact, the new recording of “Love Story” (called “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)”) debuted at the #1 spot on the Hot Country Songs chart following its release. So on top of tying Parton’s record, the song was also Swift’s first to ever debut at the chart’s top spot. It is her eighth #1 Hot Country Songs hit overall.
“This is my first time having a No. 1 debut on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and I’m so grateful to the fans for making this a possibility,” Swift said in a statement to Billboard. “They’re the ones who emboldened me to reclaim my music and they really showed up this week to see it through. It blows me away that they’ve sent a song to No. 1 that had its first life over a decade ago. I couldn’t be happier that it happened now, and in this way.”
If you haven’t heard it yet, you can listen to Swift’s re-recording of “Love Story” below.
Congratulations to Swift and Parton on being the only artists to achieve such an incredible feat!