About the song
Alan Jackson’s “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is a poignant and heartfelt ballad that celebrates the bond between a father and son. Released in 2002, the song quickly became a fan favorite, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart and peaking at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless message and Jackson’s heartfelt performance.
Written by Jackson himself, “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is a deeply personal song that reflects on his childhood memories with his father. The song tells the story of a young boy and his father who spend their weekends driving around the countryside in an old beat-up truck. They would fix up the truck together, creating a special bond that would last a lifetime.
The song also captures the joy of spending time with loved ones in nature. Jackson sings about taking his daughters out for a drive in his Jeep, sharing the same experiences he had with his own father. The lyrics are filled with warmth and nostalgia, evoking memories of simpler times and the enduring love of family.
Jackson’s vocal performance on “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is both powerful and emotional. His voice conveys the depth of his feelings for his father, and his delivery is both heartfelt and sincere. The song’s melody is also simple and catchy, making it easy to sing along to and connect with on a deeper level.
The music video for “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is a beautiful and touching visual representation of the song’s message. Directed by Steven Goldmann and animated by The Illusion Factory, the video features scenes of a young boy and his father driving around in a speedboat and later in his truck. The final verse shows Jackson driving around in a Jeep with his three daughters, creating a heartwarming image of family togetherness.
“Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with audiences for generations to come. It is a powerful tribute to the love and bond between fathers and sons, and a reminder of the importance of cherishing memories and traditions. Whether you’re a fan of country music or simply appreciate a good song, “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is a must-listen that will leave a lasting impression.
Video
Lyrics
It’s painted red, the stripe was white
It was eighteen feet, from the bow to stern light
Secondhand, from a dealer in Atlanta
I rode up with daddy, when he went there to get her
Put on a shine, put on a motor
Built out of love, made for the water
Ran her for years, ’til the transom got rotten
A piece of my childhood, will never be forgoten
It was, just an old plywood boat
A ’75 Johnson with electric choke
A young boy two hands on the wheel
I can’t replace the way it made me feel
And I would turn her sharp
And I would make it whine
He’d say, You can’t beat the way an old wood boat rides
Just a little lake across the Alabama line
But I was king of the ocean
When daddy let me
Drive
Just an old half-ton shortbed Ford
My uncle bought new, in ’64
Daddy got it right, ’cause the engine was smoking
A couple of burnt valves, and he had it going
He’d let me drive her when we haul off a load
Down a dirt strip where we’d dump trash off of Thigpen Road
I’d sit up in the seat and stretch my feet out to the pedels
Smiling like a hero that just received his medal
It was just an old hand-me-down Ford
With three-speed on the column and a dent in the door
A young boy, two hands on the wheel
I can’t replace the way it made me feel and
And I would press that clutch
And I would, keep it right
He’d say, “a little slower son; you’re doing just fine”
Just a dirt road with trash on each side
But I was Mario Andretti
When daddy let me
Drive
I’m grown up now
Three daughters of my own
I let them drive my old jeep
Across the pasture at our home
Maybe one day they’ll reach back in their file
And pull out that old memory
And think of me and smile
And say
It was just an old worn out jeep
Rusty old floor boards
Hot on my feet
A young girl, two hands on the wheel
I can’t replace the way it, made me feel
And he’d say turn it left
And steer it right
Straighten up girl now, you’re doing just fine
Just a little valley by the river where we’d ride
But I was high on a mountain
When daddy let me
Drive
Daddy let me drive
Oh he let me, drive
It’s just an old plywood boat
With a ’75 Johnson
With electric choke