Yesterday I declared that Chris Stapleton’s stunning performance of “I Will Always Love You” was one of the best tributes we’d witness for the late legend, Dolly Parton.
While I still stand by that, I’d like to add another to the list: Brad Paisley singing “When I Get Where I’m Going” last night was hands down one of the most emotional, tear-jerking tributes ever. I can’t tell a lie; I’m choking up as we speak just trying to write this.
The 53-year-old country music star took the stage for the first time since Dolly’s passing last night in Hartford, Connecticut. I think it’s safe to say we all saw his obvious tribute-song choice coming, but now that the performance has actually come to fruition, I feel like a baby puppy getting stomped on in an abandoned alleyway.
Sending everyone into tears at his Thursday night (August 27) show, Paisley led into a solo rendition of his 2005 hit with the late legend, “When I Get Where I’m Going.” Hailing from his Time Well Wasted album, Parton joined Paisley on this track, which focuses on the ethereal and bittersweet experience of life after death.
While no one was anticipating eventually singing the song in memory of Parton, the lyrics are so well-suited for the butterfly-loving, universally touching country music icon:
When I get where I’m going
On the far side of the sky.
The first thing that I’m gonna do
Is spread my wings and fly.
Not only did Paisley deliver a flawless rendition with echoing, soul-piercing vocals throughout the amphitheater (which I’m extremely impressed by his ability to hold back his tears), but he also followed up the song with a quick speech reminiscing about his duet partner. He recalled asking Parton if she would join him on the song, which he had written after losing a few close people in his life, and she immediately jumped at the opportunity.
Paisley then shares that he had just lost his aunt to cancer and sat in the car after receiving the mix of him and Dollys vocals: “I heard her hallelujah and now…here we are.” Then, like a wrench to the gut, he finished off, “I never thought it would be about her, but it is, it’s everything she believed. We will always love you, Dolly.”
Painstakingly, this is not the first time Paisley had to pull out this touching tribute track from his discography on stage. Just a few months back, he performed the song at the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 Pre-race show in honor of the late legendary driver Kyle Busch.
What a hard and tragic year it’s been for loss in the world. If anyone needs me, I’ll be spending my weekend with Dolly on repeat and surely skipping this heavy-hitter every time it pops up on my Spotify because I can’t handle any more tears.