Country music has plenty of songs about parenting. Whether it’s told from the perspective of a mother or father, or from the daughter or son, these four nostalgic country songs about parenting are so good that everyone should know them.
Videos by American Songwriter
“He Didn’t Have To Be” by Brad Paisley
Brad Paisley tugged on heartstrings all over the country when he released “He Didn’t Have To Be” in 1999. The second single from his debut Who Needs Pictures album, the song is written by Paisley and Kelley Lovelace.
“He Didn’t Have To Be” is about a child praising their stepfather for becoming the father they never had. The song says in part, “And then, all of a sudden, oh it seemed so strange to me / How we went from something’s missing to a family / Looking back, all I can say about all the things he did for me is / I hope I’m at least half the dad that he didn’t have to be.”
The song was inspired by Lovelace’s life after gaining a stepdaughter when he married his wife. But for Paisley, it’s the song that changed everything for him.
“‘He Didn’t Have to Be’ was probably the most life-changing three minutes that I’ve ever written, because I really believe we wouldn’t be sitting here anymore talking,” Paisley tells Songfacts. “Maybe we’d be sitting here with me having written a No. 1 song for somebody else. But I don’t think I’d still have a record deal without that song. It broke the ice for me with radio.”
“In My Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride
Martina McBride has three daughters. It’s undoubtedly why “In My Daughter’s Eyes” resonated with her so much, even though she didn’t write it. Instead, James T. Slater wrote the song, which was released by McBride in 2003.
The sweet song begins with, “In my daughter’s eyes / I am a hero / I am strong and wise / And I know no fear / But the truth is plain to see / She was sent to rescue me / I see who I want to be / In my daughter’s eyes.”
Fans liked the message of “In My Daughter’s Eyes” so much that it became a Top 5 hit on the Adult Contemporary chart as well.
“Love Without End, Amen” by George Strait
Aaron Barker penned “Love Without End, Amen,” which became a No. 1 hit for George Strait in 1990. “Love Without End, Amen” begins with a boy coming home from school with a “shiner” on his eye, fearing he would be in trouble because of fighting.
“When dad got home, I told that story just like I’d rehearsed,” Strait sings. “And he said, ‘Let me tell you a secret about a father’s love / A secret that my daddy said was just between us.’ / He said, ‘Daddies don’t just love their children every now and then / It’s a love without end, amen.’”
“There Goes My Life” by Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney isn’t a parent, but he perfectly portrays one in “There Goes My Life“. Written by Wendell Mobley and Neil Thrasher, the 2003 single is about a man who fears his life is over when he finds out he is going to be a dad. Fortunately, he realizes later how much he loves being a father.
“There Goes My Life” says, “Mama’s waiting to tuck her in / As she fumbles up those stairs / She smiles back at him / Dragging that teddy bear / Sleep tight / Blue eyes and bouncing curls / He smiles, there goes my life / There goes my future, my everything / I love you, daddy, goodnight / There goes my life.”
Photo by J. Kempin/FilmMagic for Country Music Association
Leave a Reply
Only members can comment. Become a member. Already a member? Log in.