Dolly Parton's New Song for Her Late Husband Is So Beautiful & Emotional (LYRICS)
Dolly Parton's husband of almost 60 years, Carl Dean, passed away in March at 82 years old.
Just days after her husband Carl Dean's death, Dolly Parton has released a song in tribute to her lost love.
In an early morning March 7 Instagram post, the 79-year-old country music icon announced the release of "If You Hadn't Been There," accompanied by a throwback photo of the couple looking every bit in love. Dean passed away in 2025 at the age of 82.
In addition to releasing a song in memory of her late husband, Parton penned a heartfelt message explaining to fans how strong their bond was in the caption.
"I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old," Parton wrote. "We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together. Like all great love stories, they never end. They live on in memory and song. He will always be the star of my life story, and I dedicate this song to him."
Read a sample of the lyrics, below:
- “If you hadn’t been there where would I be?/ Without your trust love and belief/ The ups and downs we’ve always shared/ And I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t been there."
- “I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t been there/ Holding my hand/ Showing you care/ You made me dream more than I dared/ And I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t been there."
Listen, below:
Dolly Parton reveals the secret to her long marriage
Being married for 58 years is impressive. In a 2022 interview with ET Canada, Parton explained that her long, happy marriage to her husband wouldn't have been possible if they didn't have a unique, "warped" sense of humor to get them through difficult times.
"We both have a warped sense of humor. And I think humor, honestly, is one of the best things when you're married like that," she said. "Even if you have a problem, if you have a great sense of humor, if you say something you can't take back [you] usually have some crazy way of getting out of it."
“Carl and I spent many wonderful years together,” Parton wrote in a statement shared on Instagram. “Words can’t do justice to the love we shared for over 60 years. Thank you for your prayers and sympathy.”
