Orville Peck Covers “I Will Always Love You” in Honor of Dolly Parton: Watch

Orville Peck paid tribute to the late Dolly Parton by performing a heartfelt cover of her song "I Will Always Love You" at Rough Trade East in London on Tuesday. Prior to the performance, Peck spoke to the audience about Parton's influence on him. Expressing that he felt a bit "messed up" emotionally, he paid homage to Parton's embodiment of kindness and the world's apparent lack thereof.

Peck, who doesn't typically associate himself with the concept of a "hero," identified Dolly as his own. He recalled how, as a gay man navigating the country music scene, feeling isolated, the presence of Dolly in country music provided him comfort, making him feel like he had a friend. He introduced the cover with a heartfelt dedication: "We love Dolly and this is for her."

Using only an acoustic guitar and a microphone, Peck gave a solemn yet powerful rendition of the country classic. While staying true to Parton's original, which was famously covered by Whitney Houston, Peck's rich baritone voice was slightly lowered by an octave. Even with his signature mask on, it was evident that he was deeply moved, particularly during the third and final verse.

The cover video is available below. Peck has previously covered "I Will Always Love You" in 2020, and he is set to release his new album, Mule, on September 18th. He will be touring North America to support the record in 2026. To purchase tickets for the performance, visit Orville Peck's official site. For additional tributes to Dolly and her enduring legacy, refer to the provided roundup.