The Song Carl Dean Warned Dolly Parton Not to Sing and Why She Did It Anyway

The Song Carl Dean Warned Dolly Parton Not to Sing and Why She Did It Anyway

Dolly Parton has always trusted her instincts. Whether she turned down Elvis Presley’s request to record “I Will Always Love You,” built her own empire with Dollywood, or jumped into rock music at 77 years old, she has never let doubt hold her back. But even the most fearless artists have people whose opinions matter.

For Dolly, that person was Carl Dean, her husband of nearly 60 years. Though he rarely weighed in on her music, there was one song he warned her not to touch: “Stairway to Heaven.”

Carl Dean’s Warning About Stairway to Heaven

Despite being married to a country music icon, Carl Dean wasn’t a fan of the genre. Dolly Parton has often joked that it was his least favorite. His tastes leaned more toward rock, so when she told him in 2002 that she planned to record “Stairway to Heaven,” he strongly opposed it.

“He said, ‘I don’t think you should do that,’ and I said, ‘Why?’ And he said, ‘Because it’s a legend. It’s a classic,’” Dolly recalled while promoting her 2023 album Rockstar.

“Stairway to Heaven” wasn’t just another song to Carl—it was one of rock’s most sacred anthems. He was worried that Dolly’s version wouldn’t sit well with fans who viewed it as untouchable. And in typical Carl fashion, he didn’t just stop at a simple warning. With his signature dry humor, he quipped, “Are you sure that’s ‘Stairway to Heaven’ or stairwell to hell?”

Dolly, however, had already made up her mind. Instead of a straight rock cover, she transformed “Stairway to Heaven” into a bluegrass ballad with a gospel-inspired arrangement. It was a bold choice, blending her Appalachian roots with one of the most famous rock songs of all time.

Carl, however, wasn’t convinced. When he finally heard the finished version, his reaction was lukewarm. “It’s okay,” he admitted—about as close to praise as he was willing to give. But his hesitation didn’t stop Dolly from pushing forward.

A Second Take for Rockstar

Two decades later, Dolly again found herself drawn to “Stairway to Heaven.” This time, she wasn’t just covering one rock song but making an entire rock album. Rockstar, released in 2023, was her way of proving that she could take on the genre she had been inducted into with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame the year before.

However, unlike her 2002 version, Dolly stayed true to the original arrangement this time. She wanted to show the world—and Carl—that she could do justice to the song in its classic form.

And Carl? This time, he gave his stamp of approval.

“He loved the new version because I stayed true to it,” Dolly revealed.

It was a rare moment when Carl changed his mind. The man who once warned her against touching “Stairway to Heaven” had to admit she got it right in the end. And if there’s one thing Dolly Parton has done her whole career, it’s proving that trusting her instincts always pays off—even when the person she loves most tells her otherwise.

Give it a listen and decide for yourself—did Dolly do “Stairway to Heaven” justice, just like Carl eventually thought?