However, upon listening to the song, Porter Wagoner became tearful and gave Dolly Parton his blessing for her to leave the show, saying, “‘Well, hell! If you feel that strong about it, just go on — providing I get to produce that record because that’s the best song you ever wrote'” (via The Tennessean). Dolly Parton elaborated to CMT on what the lyrics of the song meant, stating, “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.'”
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In the years following Parton’s departure from the show, she had a rocky relationship with Wagoner. According to Rolling Stone, Wagoner sued Parton for a breach of contract. However, he didn’t sue until 1979, five years after Parton had left “The Porter Wagoner Show” and three years since she had spoken to him. Though he asked for $3 million, Parton only gave him $1 million, per People. Nevertheless, the two did briefly reunite in 1980 to record an album together.
