Carl Dean passed away at the age of 82 four days before the song’s release
Dolly Parton has dedicated her new song to her late husband Carl Dean, four days after his passing at 82. Parton wrote and recorded “If You Hadn’t Been There” in honor of the pair’s nearly 60 years together. The artwork features a rarely seen photo of the highly-private couple.
“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old,” she writes. “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.”
The pair met the day after Parton moved to Nashville at 18 in 1964. They married on May 30, 1966 in Ringgold, Georgia, but Parton didn’t disclose their relationship until 1984.
Dean, who led a private life and mostly kept out of the spotlight, was a businessman who owned an asphalt-paving business in Nashville. Dean never attended public events with his famous counterpart, and very few photos of him were shared throughout the years. However, Dean always supported his wife, which is lamented in the new track.
“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,” she sings.
Parton, who has had a career resurgence in recent years, thanked fans for their love and support following Dean’s passing on March 3rd.
“This is a love note to family, friends, and fans. Thank you for all the messages, cards, and flowers that you’ve sent me to pay your respects for the loss of my beloved husband Carl,” she shares. “I can’t reach out personally to each of you but just know it has meant the world to me. He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you.”
