Dolly Parton has released a new song dedicated to her late husband Carl Dean called 'If You Hadn't Been There'.

Announcing the track on social media, Parton shared:

"Carl and I fell in love when I was 18 and he was 23, and like all great love stories, they never end. They live in memory and in song, and I dedicate this to him."

The song’s cover art features a young Parton embracing Dean, who is seen wearing a white t-shirt. A footnote on the image reads: Dolly + Carl = ♡.

Parton announced on March 4 that Dean had died aged 84. The family, who requested privacy, did not specify a cause of death. Dean is survived by Parton, as well as siblings Sandra and Donnie.

In an interview with Hot Press in 2002, she shared: "We never had children of our own but we raised five of my younger brothers and sisters that lived with us, we sent them to school and all that."

Dean was married to the country singer for nearly 60 years. The couple first met outside a laundromat in 1964, shortly after she moved to Nashville at 18. They married two years later in a small ceremony in Ringgold, Georgia, and renewed their vows on their 50th anniversary.

In response to the many tributes and kind messages, Parton shared her appreciation:

“This is a love note to family, friends, and fans. 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,” her statement read. “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.”

 

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