Billboard reports Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” was not eligible for the Grammys’ Song of the Year, citing a special rules issue

Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” a landmark country-pop ballad associated with one of the most widely remembered music moments of the 1990s, was not eligible for the Grammys’ Song of the Year award, according to a Billboard report published Aug. 27, 2026.

Billboard’s piece focuses on how the Recording Academy’s Song of the Year rules have been revised repeatedly over time as the organization has tried to balance fairness and proper consideration for songs that may have been released in different ways. In that context, the outlet says the eligibility system produced what it describes as an “unforgettable reason” that prevented Parton’s song from qualifying for Song of the Year.

The report does not suggest any dispute over Parton’s authorship or the song’s cultural impact, instead centering on the administrative threshold that determines which songs can be considered in a specific category. Under that framework, Billboard reports that “I Will Always Love You” did not meet the category’s eligibility requirements as the Grammys applied them at the time.

While the Grammys are known for recognizing songwriting and performance through multiple categories, the Song of the Year award is distinct in that it is governed by its own eligibility rules. Billboard’s reporting indicates that the Recording Academy’s category standards can yield results that look counterintuitive to casual observers who assume that a major hit automatically qualifies for top-year songwriting recognition.

The consequences of eligibility rules are practical, because they shape what is submitted and ultimately what can be voted on by Recording Academy members. Billboard’s account underscores that even widely recognized songs can be excluded if the submission timing, release status, or other category-specific criteria do not align with the Grammys’ determination process.

The Recording Academy typically publishes detailed eligibility rules and submission guidance for each awards year. For viewers and industry participants, the immediate takeaway from Billboard’s reporting is that the Grammys’ category-by-category requirements can matter as much as a song’s popularity when it comes to qualifying for consideration.

For Parton, the report places the spotlight on rules rather than reception, pointing to how the Grammys’ internal adjustments to Song of the Year criteria can affect which songs remain in contention during a given cycle.