The Director's Insight: Unraveling the Meaning Behind Priscilla's Finale with Dolly Parton's Song
Unraveling the Enigmatic Depths of Priscilla's Connection to Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You - A Profound Dive into the Multifaceted Meanings of a Timeless Song
Warning: This post contains spoilers for Priscilla.
Article Overview
Priscilla utilized Dolly Parton's ballad "I Will Always Love You" towards the conclusion to accentuate its feminist undertones and draw a parallel between her departure from Elvis.
Dolly Parton's steadfast refusal to sell the song to Elvis exemplifies her autonomy and independence, which struck a chord with Priscilla's own resolve to break free.
Dolly Parton's refusal to allow Elvis to cover her song symbolized a feminist action, similar to Priscilla's defiance of Elvis' demands and her decision to take control of her own life. The director of the film, Sofia Coppola, explains the significance of the Dolly Parton song played at the end of the movie. The film, which is based on Priscilla's memoir, "Elvis and Me," delves into Priscilla Presley's relationship with Elvis Presley, starting from their initial encounter when Priscilla was only 14 years old and Elvis was 24, and follows their tumultuous marriage. It explores the power dynamics in their relationship resulting from Priscilla's young age and Elvis' fame.
During an interview with Vogue, Coppola shared the reasoning behind featuring Parton's song at the end of Priscilla. Due to difficulties in securing the rights to Elvis' music, the film had to find alternative solutions. However, the choice of Parton's "I Will Always Love You," which Priscilla listens to after requesting a divorce from Elvis, turned out to be a powerful and memorable moment. Coppola explained that this song held great significance as Parton had refused to sell it to Elvis, making it an appropriate choice for Priscilla's decision to leave. Here is his statement below:
"When I initially envisioned telling Priscilla's story, I wanted to encompass her time spent at Graceland from beginning to end. Of course, it was necessary to depict how they met and her journey to reach that point, but I always knew that the concluding scene would show her driving away from the gates of Graceland—an image symbolizing her search for self-discovery and the beginning of a new life."
The Story Behind Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" Explained
was undoubtedly a crucial element. From the early stages of the script, I was determined that the concluding scene should feature that song. I felt immense gratitude when Dolly allowed us to use it because I couldn't fathom what alternative we could have found. The song encapsulates a profound sense of pain, love, and heartache, perfectly capturing Priscilla's emotions in that moment. She knew it was time to move forward, despite her enduring feelings for Elvis. Ending the story with a woman's voice also held significant importance to me. Additionally, I found the anecdote about Dolly potentially keeping the song for herself to be fascinating. The song is already exquisite on its own, but the added lore undoubtedly added to its allure.
The Story Behind Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" Explained
Given its feminist themes, it is fitting that Parton's "I Will Always Love You" was chosen for Priscilla, especially considering the song's intriguing connection to Elvis. Parton penned and recorded the track back in 1973. Signifying her independence, it was inspired by her choice to part ways with her professional partner, Porter Wagoner, and embark on a solo career. The lyrics of "I Will Always Love You" served as her way of expressing her love for him while affirming that leaving was a necessary step for her.
The song already serves as a suitable background for Priscilla's departure from Elvis, driven by her own best interests. However, there is more to the story. Once Parton's song became successful, Elvis expressed a desire to record a version of it. This was significant given Elvis' immense stature in the music industry. Parton initially considered allowing him to record it, but hesitated after discovering that she would have to relinquish half of her publishing rights to him. Regardless of Elvis' fame, Parton was unwilling to grant him control over her most significant hit.
Eventually, Dolly Parton granted Whitney Houston permission to cover her song, elevating its fame to new heights and resulting in Parton earning at least $10 million in royalties.
Parton declined to sell it. Conversely, Elvis adored the song to the point of serenading Priscilla with it during their divorce proceedings. Darton's resolute denial in relinquishing one of her greatest hits to a prominent male star held immense significance. Her refusal can be seen as a strong feminist gesture, denying him his desires. In a similar vein, Parton's refusal to yield her song to Elvis mirrors Priscilla's ultimate decision in the end, as she no longer caters to his whims and instead asserts control over her own life.
Editor's P/S
In the film Priscilla, the utilization of Dolly Parton's iconic song "I Will Always Love You" during the poignant finale scene adds depth and resonance to the narrative. The director, Sofia Coppola, deliberately chose this song to emphasize the feminist undertones of the film and draw parallels between Priscilla's departure from Elvis and Parton's own assertion of independence.
The song's inclusion is particularly significant considering its history and connection to Elvis. Parton's refusal to sell the song to Elvis, despite his immense fame and influence, showcases her unwavering autonomy and strength of character. This act of defiance aligns with Priscilla's own decision to leave Elvis and take control of her life, challenging the power dynamics that had defined their relationship.
