About The Song
“Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is a country song written and recorded by American country music artist Alan Jackson. It was released in January 2002 as the second single from his album of the same name. The song is a tribute to Jackson’s father, Eugene Jackson, who died in January 2000.
The song begins with Jackson recalling memories of his childhood, specifically spending time with his father. He sings about how his father taught him how to drive a boat, and how they would often go fishing together. Jackson also sings about how his father was always there for him, no matter what.
The chorus of the song is particularly moving. Jackson sings, “I can’t replace the way it made me feel / When Daddy let me drive.” These lyrics perfectly capture the sense of nostalgia and loss that Jackson is feeling.
“Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is a beautiful and touching song that perfectly captures the bond between a father and son. It is a song that will resonate with anyone who has ever lost a loved one.
Here are some of the key themes of the song:
- Love and loss: The song is a tribute to Jackson’s father, who died in January 2000. Jackson sings about how much he misses his father and how much he loved him.
- The importance of family: The song also highlights the importance of family. Jackson sings about how his father was always there for him, no matter what.
- Nostalgia: The song is full of nostalgia. Jackson sings about memories of his childhood, specifically spending time with his father.
“Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is a powerful song that will resonate with anyone who has ever lost a loved one. It is a song about love, loss, family, and nostalgia.
Video
Lyric
Let’s sing along with the lyrics!
It’s painted red, the stripe was whiteIt was eighteen feet, from the bow to stern lightSecondhand, from a dealer in AtlantaI rode up with daddy, when he went there to get herPut on a shine, put on a motorBuilt out of love, made for the waterRan her for years, ’til the transom got rottenA piece of my childhood, will never be forgotenIt was, just an old plywood boatA ’75 Johnson with electric chokeA young boy two hands on the wheelI can’t replace the way it made me feelAnd I would turn her sharpAnd I would make it whineHe’d say, You can’t beat the way an old wood boat ridesJust a little lake across the Alabama lineBut I was king of the oceanWhen daddy let meDriveJust an old half-ton shortbed FordMy uncle bought new, in ’64Daddy got it right, ’cause the engine was smokingA couple of burnt valves, and he had it goingHe’d let me drive her when we haul off a loadDown a dirt strip where we’d dump trash off of Thigpen RoadI’d sit up in the seat and stretch my feet out to the pedelsSmiling like a hero that just received his medalIt was just an old hand-me-down FordWith three-speed on the column and a dent in the doorA young boy, two hands on the wheelI can’t replace the way it made me feel andAnd I would press that clutchAnd I would, keep it rightHe’d say, “a little slower son; you’re doing just fine”Just a dirt road with trash on each sideBut I was Mario AndrettiWhen daddy let meDriveI’m grown up nowThree daughters of my ownI let them drive my old jeepAcross the pasture at our homeMaybe one day they’ll reach back in their fileAnd pull out that old memoryAnd think of me and smileAnd sayIt was just an old worn out jeepRusty old floor boardsHot on my feetA young girl, two hands on the wheelI can’t replace the way it, made me feelAnd he’d say turn it leftAnd steer it rightStraighten up girl now, you’re doing just fineJust a little valley by the river where we’d rideBut I was high on a mountainWhen daddy let meDriveDaddy let me driveOh he let me, driveIt’s just an old plywood boatWith a ’75 JohnsonWith electric choke