About The Song
A father and a son kind of relationship is one of the utmost above others. The love that binds them is undeniably greater than anything else. Everybody can relate to this especially those who were very attached to their fathers. As a child, your father will be your shield no matter what, even when you’re already a grown up. As a father, you consider your son as your greatest counterpart. If you miss your dad or the other way around, listen to Alan Jackson’s “Drive (For Daddy Gene).” The song will make your eyes water.
“Drive (For Daddy Gene)” was Alan Jackon’s dedication song to his late father, Eugene Jackson. He recalls, him and his father driving around the countryside with their old truck. They also go around the lake with an old boat. Eugene Jackson died on January 31, 2000. Indeed, this is a song we would like to devote to all fathers.
Alan Jackson himself wrote the words and lyrics of “Drive (For Daddy Gene).” It was released in 2002 from his album of the same name. Due to its profound message, people were moved and gave a great response to the song. It was one of the most successful singles of Alan Jackson. In fact, it became number one on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
The music video aligns with the lyrics as well as Alan Jackson’s experience with his father. It can be seen in the video, a boy with his father driving around in a speedboat. Then, they both, having a good time driving around in a truck.
The album “Drive” won “Album of the Year” at the Academy of Country Music Awards in 2003. Moreover, the “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” music video won “Video of the Year” on the same award and year.
Perhaps, we don’t know the in-depth story of Alan and his father’s relationship. Nevertheless, the song “Drive (For Daddy Gene)” can describe what kind and how sturdy their connection is. It is obvious how impeccable a father Eugene was to Allan. Meanwhile, Allan shows respect and love towards his father.
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