Rising country star Jackson Dean is set to release the studio version of his beloved live show staple, ‘Heavens To Betsy,' this Friday, August 2, via Big Machine Records. The track, which has resonated deeply with fans of all ages, will be Dean’s next single.
‘Heavens To Betsy' places Dean in the shoes of a regret-filled man trying to communicate from the beyond to seek redemption with his daughter. The song’s emotional depth and powerful plea for atonement have struck a chord with listeners, making it a standout in his live performances.
Watch our own live recording of ‘Heaven's to Betsy' from CMA Fest 2022 – this is how long we've been waiting for the studio version of this song!
With its palpable remorse highlighted by Dean’s gravel-toned vocals, the song was inspired by the oath “heavens to Betsy!” which Dean first heard at 19. This phrase sparked the image of a man on the outskirts of heaven, trying to reach his daughter via CB radio. The song starts with a reserved and sincere tone, backed by light acoustic guitar, and builds into a crescendo of desperation and electric guitar, capturing the man’s growing comfort and emotional release.
Dean shared his thoughts on the track, saying, “‘Heavens to Betsy’ is like the little song that could. We wrote it and never thought it’d see the light of day, but I started playing it on radio tours to get it out of my head and kill time. I saw a grown man break down and cry to it. That’s an image that will hit you like a ton of bricks. We started incorporating a bigger version into our live shows, and I thought the Live At The Ryman version would be the only place it lived. But this song exceeded my expectations. Night after night, people tell me how it’s helping them through their grief – which is such a beautiful thing.”
Dean continued, “Just the other day, someone told me that their father died 11 years ago and hearing ‘Betsy’ gave them the closure they’ve been seeking. That’s the reason we do this. Connecting in such a big, meaningful way is an honor I do not take lightly. I hope it goes out into the world and continues to heal, inspire, and move folks.”
Fans can pre-save “Heavens To Betsy” here.
Initially planning to share only the live versions from his Live From The Ryman album and his Apple Music Sessions, Dean decided to create a studio version due to the song's significant impact. He collaborated with his bandmates, top Nashville musicians, and producer Luke Dick to bring the heart-wrenching song, written by Dean, Benjy Davis, and Driver Williams, to the studio.
“I still sometimes get a lump in my throat singing ‘Betsy’ because I’ve seen that dynamic play out too many times. It breaks my heart that when people let their demons get the best of them, it’s usually their loved ones that end up with the most scars,” Dean added. “I hope this song serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to right your wrongs and inspires folks to look things square in the eye and say it out loud.”
Dean also leaves room for interpretation with the song's narrative. Did Betsy ever get the message? Was it meant to heal Betsy or himself? Was he even really let into the pearly gates? These questions invite listeners to ponder deeply, perhaps requiring more than one listen to draw their conclusions.
‘Heavens To Betsy' follows Dean’s US Top 10 sophomore single ‘Fearless' and his US No. 1 debut single ‘Don’t Come Lookin’,' from his debut album ‘Greenbroke.'
This summer, Dean will be touring across the US as direct support for GRAMMY® Award-winning ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year Lainey Wilson on her Country Is Cool Again Tour. For more information and tour dates, visit Jackson Dean's official website.
