John Foster, the Louisiana country singer who reached the Top 14 on American Idol, continues to honor his late friend Maggie Dunn with another deeply personal, original song titled “Just As She Was Leaving.” While his viral hit “Tell That Angel I Love Her” made waves on the show, “Just As She Was Leaving” is a quieter, more introspective track that has flown under the radar for many listeners.
Listen to his song below.
Written as a tribute to Maggie, who tragically passed away in 2022, “Just As She Was Leaving” expresses the heartbreak and regret Foster feels in the wake of her sudden loss. The song’s heart-wrenching lyrics show his emotional struggle, with lines like:
“Just as she was leaving
I knew I’d never be the same
Just as she was leaving
I knew I was the one to blame
I should’ve held her tighter
I should’ve never let her go
I should’ve been a fighter
But now I’ll never know.”
This song touches on the painful feeling of knowing you couldn’t do enough in the moment, and how that regret haunts you after someone you care about is gone. The vulnerability in Foster’s performance makes the song feel raw and real, allowing listeners to feel the weight of his grief and guilt.
While it may not have received as much attention as “Tell That Angel I Love Her”, “Just As She Was Leaving” is just as powerful, showing Foster’s emotional depth as an artist and his ongoing journey to process his loss through music. It’s a beautiful, moving reminder of how music can help heal the wounds of regret and loss, while also keeping the memory of a loved one alive.
Who Is The Late Friend To Whom John Foster Dedicated His Emotional ‘American Idol’ Top 20 Song?
Maggie Dunn, along with her friend Caroline Gill, tragically passed away on New Year’s Eve 2022 in a car accident. The two cheerleaders were killed when an Addis, LA, police officer ran a red light during a high-speed chase. Maggie’s brother, who was in the back seat, was seriously injured but survived. The police officer involved, David Cauthron, pleaded guilty to manslaughter for the deaths and was sentenced to 32 years in prison, with 22 years suspended.
