He Didn't Have to Be - Brad Paisley
When a single mom goes out on a date with somebody new
It always winds up feeling more like a job interview
My momma used to wonder if she'd ever meet someone
Who wouldn't find out about me and then turn around and run
I met the man I call my dad when I was five years old
He took my mom out to a movie and for once I got to go
A few months later I remember lying there in bed
I overheard him pop the question and prayed that she'd say yes
And then all of a sudden
Oh, it seemed so strange to me
How we went from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' 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
I met the girl that's now my wife about three years ago
We had the perfect marriage but we wanted somethin' more
Now here I stand surrounded by our family and friends
Crowded 'round the nursery window as they bring the baby in
And now all of a sudden
It seemed so strange to me
How we've gone from something's missing
To a family
Lookin' through the glass I think about the man
That's standin' next to me
And I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be
Lookin' 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
Yeah, I hope I'm at least half the dad
That he didn't have to be
Because he didn't have to be
You know he didn't have to be
Essentially, this song portrays a young boy’s perspective of his new step-father. He reveals to the listeners that he is humbly grateful for his step-father, being that he filled the father position. This song especially exemplifies pathos as an emotional agent to aid in the understanding of the listeners. He uses specific examples in his song which relate the the average, everyday person; he likely does so to give the listener a feel that he and they are on the same level.
This is such an emotional song! I definitely feel like the repetition of "he didn't have to be" really brings out the emotions involved with people who do things because they are good people, or just because they care, emphasizing the true love this stepfather had for the singer.. Good choice!
ReplyDeleteI love Brad Paisley and I love this song. It kind of restores your faith in the human population. YOu did a great job describing it. :)
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