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Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt & Emmylou Harris – To Know Him Is to Love Him

To Know Him Is To Love Him - Remastered - song and lyrics by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris | Spotify

About the Song 

“To Know Him Is to Love Him,” beautifully interpreted by the legendary trio of Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris, stands as one of the most heartwarming and tender collaborations in country music history. Initially written by Phil Spector in 1958 and popularized by his vocal group, The Teddy Bears, this gentle ballad gained fresh emotional depth and soulful resonance when reimagined by these three iconic voices for their acclaimed 1987 album, Trio.

Individually, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris have long been beloved for their uniquely expressive vocal styles—Parton’s crystalline purity, Ronstadt’s powerful warmth, and Harris’s hauntingly ethereal timbre. When combined on “To Know Him Is to Love Him,” their voices blend with a natural ease that is both intimate and uplifting. Mature listeners, particularly those familiar with these artists’ storied careers, will deeply appreciate how effortlessly each singer complements the others, resulting in rich harmonies that feel simultaneously timeless and comforting.

The song’s poignant lyrics, centered on unconditional love and emotional devotion, gain new meaning through the trio’s authentic, heartfelt delivery. Lines such as “To know, know, know him, is to love, love, love him,” though simple in structure, acquire a moving depth when conveyed by such emotionally nuanced performances. This rendition beautifully captures the tender essence of deep affection, highlighting the vulnerability and genuine warmth inherent in truly knowing and loving someone deeply.

Critically celebrated upon release, the trio’s version topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, introducing the classic tune to a new generation of listeners. Decades later, it still stands as a remarkable testament to the collaborative power of friendship and mutual admiration among three remarkable artists. Parton, Ronstadt, and Harris famously shared an enduring friendship beyond their music, something audible in every note and harmony they crafted together.

Ultimately, “To Know Him Is to Love Him” remains a treasured highlight of their Trio project, cherished by fans who appreciate timeless melodies rendered with authentic emotion and unmatched vocal harmony. Through their extraordinary partnership, Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris gifted audiences a recording of enduring emotional resonance—an unforgettable tribute to love’s gentle yet powerful nature.Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt on 'Tonight Show'

Video 

Lyrics: To Know Him Is to Love Him

To know know know him
Is to love love love him
Just to see him smile
Makes my life worthwhile
To know know know him
Is to love love love him
And I do

I’ll be good to him
I’ll bring love to him
Everyone says there’ll come a day
When I’ll walk alongside of him
Yes just to know him
Is to love love love him
And I do

Why can’t he see
How blind can he be
Someday he will see
That he was meant for me

To know know know him
Is to love love love him
Just to see him smile
Makes my life worthwhile
To know know know him
Is to love love love him
And I do

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Technical mastery has always been common enough in popular music, but the rare gift belongs exclusively to those who can make the listener forget they are listening to a performance at all. That was the quiet magic of Elvis Presley. The moment his voice stepped into a track, a strange and powerful illusion took over: it didn’t sound like a recording being played back, but like an unfiltered pulse of human emotion happening right in front of you. Within the span of a single verse, he could drift from an almost terrifying swagger to a hollow loneliness, a fierce tenderness, or a sudden, trembling grace. You never merely heard Elvis sing; you were pulled straight into the interior weather of what he was feeling.

Beyond the wrought-iron gates of Graceland on August 16, 1977, thousands of strangers wept openly for the passing of a cultural titan. But inside the sprawling mansion, nine-year-old Lisa Marie was navigating a grief of an entirely different magnitude. To the planet, an immortal voice had been suddenly silenced; to her, the man who kissed her forehead at bedtime, showered her with affection, and chased away the shadows was simply gone. No amount of rolling news coverage, soaring album sales, or grieving crowds outside could ever measure the hollow space left behind when the doors closed and Daddy didn’t come home.

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