Dolly Parton has turned her love and grief into music with the release of her latest single, If You Hadn’t Been There, a touching tribute to her late husband, Carl Thomas Dean. Just days after Dean’s passing at the age of 82, Parton shared the song with fans via Instagram, reflecting on their six-decade-long love story.
I fell in love with Carl Dean when I was 18 years old. We have spent 60 precious and meaningful years together,” Parton wrote. “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.
he heartfelt lyrics express Parton’s gratitude for the unwavering support Dean provided throughout their marriage. The song begins with a poignant reflection:
If you hadn’t been there / Where would I be? / Without your trust / Love and belief.
As the song progresses, Parton sings about Dean’s constant presence in her life:
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.
Parton and Dean’s love story began in 1964 when they met outside the Wishy Washy Laundromat in Nashville. Just two years later, on May 30, 1966, they married in an intimate ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia. Despite Parton’s global fame, Dean remained out of the public eye, preferring a quiet life as a businessman in Nashville, where he owned an asphalt paving company.
Throughout their marriage, Dean served as a source of inspiration for Parton’s music. In a 2008 interview with NPR, she revealed that her hit song Jolene was inspired by a bank teller who had developed a crush on Dean. “He just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention,” Parton joked.
Dean’s desire for privacy led to speculation over the years about his existence. In a 2020 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Parton addressed the rumors, saying, “A lot of people have thought that [he doesn’t exist] because he does not want to be in the spotlight at all. It’s just not who he is.”
Even in his absence, Dean remains the love of Parton’s life, and through her music, their love story continues to resonate with fans worldwide. StormInsider
