 Whitney Houston 's version of Dolly Parton 's " I Will Always Love You " is performed by Mercedes ( Amber Riley ) in the episode , and the completed episode had been delivered to the network and was scheduled to run in three days when Houston died unexpectedly on February 11 , 2012 ; a dedication to her was added in the episode 's end credits . Reviewers gave Riley 's rendition a very positive reception , the best of those given to the ten songs that were heard in the episode , though the performances in general were well received . It was one of two songs from the episode to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian Hot 100 , along with " Stereo Hearts " , while the other six singles did not chart . 
