The saying goes, "When the truth becomes legend, print the legend." The problem with that is that no one believes the facts when they come out. Despite being known for its authenticity, numerous myths are swirling in the world of country music. No matter how much we want them to be real, the truth will eventually come out. Here are four examples of myths we want to believe.
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"I Will Always Love You" Is A Love Song
Thanks to Whitney Houston's 1992 rendition of the ballad for her film The Bodyguard, Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" has been a staple at wedding receptions for decades. But when Parton wrote the song in 1974, it wasn't with romance in mind. She was seven years into a five-year commitment to Porter Wagoner's syndicated television show, and she yearned to go out on her own.
"[Waggoner] just wasn't listening to my reasoning for my going," Parton told The Tennessean in 2015. "So I thought, 'Well, why don't you do what you do best? Why don't you just write this song?' Because I knew at that time I was going to go, no matter what. So I went home, and out of a very emotional place in me at that time, I wrote the song "I Will Always Love You." It's saying, 'Just because I'm going don't mean I won't love you. I appreciate you, and I hope you do great, and I appreciate everything you've done, but I'm out of here.'"
'Cowboy Carter' Is A Country Album
Winning the Grammy award for Best Country Album may have cemented in the minds of the public that 'Country Carter,' the eighth album by Beyoncé, has its roots in the music of Nashville. It's certainly drawn its fair share of controversy, with rising star Gavin Adcock saying that the album "ain't country music" and its lack of nominations at the 58th Annual Country Music Awards. However, the "Crazy In Love" singer has stated from the beginning that the award-winning record was inspired by a moment when she "did not feel welcomed" in country music and that it "ain't a Country album."
Ryman Auditorium Is the Original Home of The Grand Ole Opry
Some of the most significant moments in country music occurred when the Grand Ole Opry was held at Ryman Auditorium. Hank Williams made his debut, and Elvis Presley even made an appearance. Johnny Cash met his wife June Carter and even busted all the footlights on the stage during a performance. These historic moments may be why the Ryman is so closely associated with the long-running radio and television show.
The venue's website is quick to dispel any myths surrounding the Grand Ole Opry. It states that the Ryman was actually the Opry's fifth home. It also states that while the show has occasionally held residencies and other Opry-adjacent events at the former tabernacle, the show's permanent home has been the Opry House since 1974.
"Take Me Home, Country Roads" Was Written For Johnny Cash
The classic is considered one of the state anthems of West Virginia. However, there's been a long-standing myth that this John Denver song almost wasn't sung by him. Co-writer Bill Danoff explained to WRC-TV in Washington, D.C., that when he began co-writing the song with his then-wife, Taffy Nivert, he was influenced by Johnny Cash's music. Then Denver entered the picture. When he came over to Danoff's home for a songwriting session, it became a vehicle for Denver.
"John's incredible energy was what made it happen. Left to my own devices, I would have had another beer and played another song," Danoff told the television station.
