Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton | Photo Credits: sheetmusicdirect.com

Described as a certified inspirational winner, “When I Get Where I’m Going” was recorded by Brad Paisley featuring the harmony vocals of Dolly Parton. Released on October 10, 2005, it is the second single from Paisley’s fourth studio album, Time Well Wasted. Produced by Frank Rogers for Arista Nashville Records, George Teren and Rivers Rutherford both conceived the song.

Inspired by his childhood, Rutherford reminisced his younger years as the pure basis of the song. It is evident in the following lyrics:

“I’m gonna land beside a lion, and run my fingers through his mane.” 

The Song: Dedicated to Those Who’ve Gone Too Soon

“When I Get Where I’m Going” has already been considered a Contemporary Christian Music (CCM). Brad Paisley imagines the afterlife “on the far side of the sky,” where he will meet his lost loved ones and “shed the sins and struggles I have carried all these years.”

In an interview with Rolling Stone, songwriter Rivers Rutherford revealed:

“When I was about ten years old, I was sick one Sunday so my dad and I stayed home from church and watched the preacher on TV. And in the middle of his sermon, this guy comes out in a karate outfit and attacks the preacher. Once they got the guy under control, the preacher got back up and said, ‘I wouldn’t worry for a minute. I know where I’m going, and I can’t wait to get there. The Bible says that the lion will lay down with the lamb. Can you imagine what it would be like to lay down with a lion and run your fingers through its mane?’ Something about that image just stuck in my head, and 25 years later I remembered that sermon when I was writing with George Teren.”

The Music Video

Both Paisley and Parton rendered an amazing harmony of vocals through the song. Much more, the accompanying clip tugs anyone at the heartstrings. Directed by Jim Shea, it features home videos of Paisley and his late grandfather and several other cameos from those holding the photos of their loved ones. Cameos include Michael Reagan, son of Ronald Reagan; Teresa Earnhardt, wife of Dale Earnhardt; figure skater Scott Hamilton; John Carter Cash, son of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash; and Pixar director John Lasseter. Also, Parton shows a photo of her late grandfather, Rev. Jake Owens.

The video is a dedication to all those who have lost their loved ones. In 2007, “When I Get Where I’m Going” was played in memory of the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre. It is fully remembered that on April 16, 2017, a senior student of the school shot and killed 32 people while leaving others wounded.

WATCH Brad Paisley and Dolly Parton’s “When I Get Where I’m Going” music video:

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