Dolly Parton has released an emotional new song dedicated to her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean, who passed away this week at the age of 82. Titled "If You Hadn't Been There," the song was shared in an Instagram post on Friday, where Parton expressed her deep love and connection to Dean, whom she had been with for 60 years. "I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old," the 79-year-old country music icon wrote.
The poignant lyrics reflect the depth of their relationship, with Parton singing, "If you hadn't been there / Where would I be?" She goes on to acknowledge Dean's supportive role in her life, stating, "You made me dream / More than I dared." The song’s cover features a nostalgic photo of the couple, highlighting their enduring bond.
Parton also took to Instagram earlier, thanking fans for their outpouring of love and support following her husband’s passing. "He is in God's arms now and I am okay with that," she noted, emphasizing that Dean was always her “love story." Parton reminisced about their first meeting outside a laundromat in Nashville, recalling how Dean’s genuine interest struck her. The two married in 1966 and chose to live a largely private life, preferring to keep their personal life away from the public eye.
The poignant lyrics reflect the depth of their relationship, with Parton singing, "If you hadn't been there / Where would I be?" She goes on to acknowledge Dean's supportive role in her life, stating, "You made me dream / More than I dared." The song’s cover features a nostalgic photo of the couple, highlighting their enduring bond.
Parton also took to Instagram earlier, thanking fans for their outpouring of love and support following her husband’s passing. "He is in God's arms now and I am okay with that," she noted, emphasizing that Dean was always her “love story." Parton reminisced about their first meeting outside a laundromat in Nashville, recalling how Dean’s genuine interest struck her. The two married in 1966 and chose to live a largely private life, preferring to keep their personal life away from the public eye.
