Country music icon Dolly Parton has announced a temporary break from songwriting as she mourns the loss of her husband, Carl Dean, who passed away on March 3rd. In a heartfelt conversation on the podcast Khloé in Wonder Land, hosted by Khloé Kardashian, Parton opened up about how grief has affected her creative process.

“My husband passed away three months ago… there are so many things I wanted to start, but I just can’t,” she said, explaining her decision to step back from music writing for now. Although new and “beautiful ideas” still come to her, she admits she does not feel ready to complete them.

“I’ll start again later,” she added. “If something comes up, I’ll write it. But I’m putting it on pause. I can’t allow myself the luxury of becoming that emotional at the moment.”

Writing as Joy and Purpose

For Parton, songwriting has always been more than just a job — it has been her “joy.”

“It just happens to be my work, but also my joy,” she said. Reflecting on her creative philosophy, Parton emphasized the importance of storytelling, comparing songs to films: “Everything starts with a story or a song. Every movie needs a great story. No matter how great the actors or the director are — if you don’t have a good story, you don’t have a project. Same with a song.”

She also revealed a deeply personal connection between songwriting and her spiritual life. “One of the reasons I love writing is because I feel so connected to God in those moments,” she explained.

A Tribute Through Music

Shortly after Dean’s passing, Parton released a song titled If You Hadn’t Been There, as a tribute to her late husband. The lyrics reflect on the profound role he played in her life and how he helped shape the person she became.

The couple’s relationship, which spanned six decades, remained largely private throughout her career. Carl Dean had long been known for avoiding the spotlight, yet his influence on Parton’s life and artistry has been unmistakable.

Though she is taking time away from writing, Dolly Parton has not ruled out a return to music in the future. Her decision is not a permanent retirement but a moment of personal pause as she navigates grief.