About the song
“Drive (For Daddy Gene)” is a poignant and deeply personal song by Alan Jackson, released in 2002. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of memory and the profound influence of a father-son relationship. More than a mere country tune, it’s a narrative woven with nostalgia, reflecting on the simple yet cherished moments that shape a lifetime.
The song’s core is a recollection of formative experiences, centering around a simple boat ride with his father, “Daddy Gene.” It encapsulates the essence of those early lessons, not just in operating a boat, but in navigating life itself. Jackson’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of these moments, evoking a sense of shared experience that resonates with anyone who has cherished similar times with their own family.
Alan Jackson’s delivery is characteristically sincere and understated. There’s no need for dramatic flourishes; the weight of the song lies in its emotional honesty. His voice carries a gentle nostalgia, allowing listeners to connect with the memories he so vividly describes. The melody, too, is simple and flowing, reinforcing the song’s reflective nature.
The song gained an additional layer of meaning due to the context of its release. Coming shortly after the events of 9/11, “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” offered a moment of solace and reflection, reminding listeners of the importance of family and the simple joys of life. It’s a song that speaks to the heart, a gentle reminder of the enduring power of memories and the bonds that connect us across generations.
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
