Dolly Parton’s latest song honors her husband Carl Dean, who died March 3.
The country singer released “If You Hadn’t Been There” Friday, writing a tribute to her late husband on Instagram with the cover of the single — a photo of the two of them.
“I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old,” Parton wrote on Instagram. “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 opening piano notes signal an emotional ballad from Parton.
“If you hadn’t been there, who would I be?” the song asks, repeating in the chorus “I wouldn’t be here, if you hadn’t been there.”
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The singer announced her husband’s passing on social media Monday, March 3. Two days later, she followed up the news with a statement of gratitude for all the sympathies.
“This is a love note to family, friends, and fans,” she wrote. “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. He is in God’s arms now and I am okay with that. I will always love you.”
Parton has recently featured alongside several artists on new albums and hit songs, such as Sabrina Carpenter’s “Please Please Please” for the “Espresso” singer’s deluxe version of her Grammy-winning pop album Short n’ Sweet. She also appeared on a track named after her, “Dolly P,” which serves as a setup and introduction of sorts to Beyoncé’s rendition of Parton’s own “Jolene” on Cowboy Carter, the singer’s Grammy-winning Album of the Year and Best Country Album.
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