About The Song
Dolly Parton – “To Know Him Is to Love Him” (with Emmylou Harris & Linda Ronstadt) | A Heavenly Harmony from Three Country Angels 🎶👼
When Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, and Linda Ronstadt came together to record “To Know Him Is to Love Him,” the result was nothing short of magic — a seamless blend of three of the most beloved voices in American music. Featured on their critically acclaimed 1987 Trio album, this gentle cover of Phil Spector’s 1958 classic became a standout track that wrapped love, innocence, and longing into a tapestry of perfect harmony.
Originally performed by the Teddy Bears, “To Know Him Is to Love Him” is a simple, heartfelt ballad about deep affection and quiet devotion. But in the hands of Dolly, Emmylou, and Linda, the song becomes something even more profound: a hymn-like expression of pure emotional truth, delivered with the elegance and grace only these three women could offer.
“To know, know, know him is to love, love, love him… and I do.”
Each verse is delivered with delicate restraint, letting the melody breathe, while the trio’s harmonies — soft, angelic, and impossibly well-blended — create a sound that feels both intimate and timeless. Dolly’s sweetness, Emmylou’s ethereal tone, and Linda’s rich warmth intertwine in such a natural way that it’s easy to forget where one voice ends and the next begins.
The arrangement is sparse and tender — a soft acoustic guitar, gentle steel, and subtle rhythms that keep the focus entirely on the vocals. There’s no need for flashy production or vocal acrobatics. The strength lies in the simplicity and sincerity.
The song was released as a single and quickly became a success, reaching #1 on the Billboard Country chart — a rare feat for a cover and a testament to the power of the Trio collaboration. More than that, it helped introduce a new generation of listeners to the purity of classic harmony singing, rooted in friendship, respect, and shared musical instincts.
🎶 “To Know Him Is to Love Him” isn’t just a song — it’s a moment of stillness, beauty, and emotional truth.
🌟 Three iconic voices. One perfect melody. A love song for the ages.