When we heard that Dolly Parton’s husband Carl Dean passed away earlier this week at the age of 82 I read as many articles as I could about him. These two were married for 60 years, with Dolly being a household name for well over half of that time, and there are only a handful of pictures of this man. Dolly spoke about her husband fondly, and said he just didn’t want to be in the spotlight but that he was very supportive of her career. Dolly just released a new song for Carl called “If You Hadn’t Been There,” and it’s as deceptively simple, catchy and meaningful as so many of her other hits. You can feel the emotion and gratitude in this beautiful gem of a song. Here’s more on her new music:
On Thursday, March 6, Parton, 79, revealed the title of her new track, “If You Hadn’t Been There,” in an Instagram post, which she shared alongside a throwback photo of the couple showing Parton on Dean’s back.
“Carl and I fell in love when I was 18 and he was 23, and like all great love stories, they never end,” the country music legend wrote of Dean, who died on Monday, March 3 in Nashville at age 82.
“They live in memory and in song, and I dedicate this to him,” she added before referring to the song.
“If you hadn’t been there / Where would I be? / Without your trust, love and belief,” Parton sings at the start of the track.
“The ups and downs / We’ve always shared / And I wouldn’t be here, if you hadn’t been there,” she continues.
Parton’s posted her song shortly after she shared a tribute on Instagram following the death of her husband of 58 years earlier this week.
The pair tied the knot back in 1966, but the ultra-private Dean remained largely out of the spotlight throughout their nearly 60-year marriage, despite his wife’s huge career in show business.
Parton wrote earlier on Thursday, “This is a love note to family, friends, and fans. Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you’ve sent to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl.”
“I can’t reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me,” the musician added.
“He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you,” she continued, referencing her 1973 hit song “I Will Always Love You.”
On Monday, Parton confirmed Dean’s death on the social media site, writing, “Carl and I spent many wonderful years together. Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
I got teary listening to this song and it’s surely going to be a wedding reception staple for father daughter dances. I would love to see a dramatization of Dolly and Carl’s romance, especially the origin story about how they met in a laundromat in 1964, something similar to Southside with You, about Barack and Michelle Obama’s love story. I hope Dolly has friends and family around her at this difficult time, and I know she has fans and admirers worldwide pulling for her. Somehow, in her grief, she’s still giving us incredible music that can be a soundtrack to our lives too.
On behalf of my sister Dolly, our family and Carl’s family we appreciate your prayers at this time.
— Stella Parton (@StellaParton) March 4, 2025
She deserved no less. May his memory be a blessing.
They understood each other. A blessing.
Dolly is such a monster talent. Her schtich distracts from her creative and buisness genius unless a person looks deeper. A lot of people would be shocked if they did a deep dive into her catalog at the variety and depth of music she has released during her career. Condolences to Dolly and her family. She truly is a great American.
Wow what a beautiful ode to the love of her life. Had a hard time getting through listening because you could her the tears in her voice.
Such a sweet song. Good ole Dolly. RIP Carl.
I can’t even listen to that song without crying. May we all be so blessed as to find that kind of love and friendship in our lives