Drive (For Daddy Gene)
| "Drive (For Daddy Gene)" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Alan Jackson | ||||
| from the album Drive | ||||
| B-side | "Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)" | |||
| Released | January 28, 2002 | |||
| Format | Promo-only CD single | |||
| Recorded | 2001–2002 | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 4:02 | |||
| Label | Arista Nashville | |||
| Writer(s) | Alan Jackson | |||
| Producer(s) | Keith Stegall | |||
| Alan Jackson singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
"Drive (For Daddy Gene)" is a song written and recorded by American country music singer-songwriter Alan Jackson. It was released in January 2002 as the second single from his album, Drive. It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks in May 2002 and also peaked at number 28 on the Billboard Hot 100.[1]
Content
The song is dedicated to Alan's father, Eugene Jackson, who died on January 31, 2000. In the song, Alan recalls as a child he and his father driving around the countryside in an old beat up truck that they fixed up together, as well as a boat they would drive around the lake. In the final verse, Alan talks about sharing his childhood experiences with his daughters and letting them drive his Jeep around their pasture.
Critical reception
Chuck Taylor, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably saying that it's "a heartfelt lyric that allows listeners to share a stroll down memory lane with Jackson and appreciate a kinder, simpler time". Taylor also says that Jackson delivers the song with "the same honesty, integrity, and emotional warmth that has always made listeners powerfully connect to his work".[2]
Music video
The music video, directed by Steven Goldmann and animated by The Illusion Factory, follows the plot of the story by showing scenes of a boy and his father driving around in a speedboat and later in his truck. The scene for the final verse shows Alan driving around in a Jeep with his three daughters. The whole video is presented as animated pictures in a story coming to life out of a book. The music video was nominated for Music Video of the Year in the top award shows and won the award for Best Music Video in the Country Music Awards.
Cover versions
When Jackson was honored by "CMT Giants," country singer Taylor Swift sang "Drive" as a tribute.
Chart positions
"Drive (For Daddy Gene)" debuted at number 53 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of February 2, 2002.
| Chart (2002) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3] | 1 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[4] | 28 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2002) | Position |
|---|---|
| US Country Songs (Billboard)[5] | 2 |
References
- ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
- ↑ Billboard, March 2, 2002
- ↑ "Alan Jackson – Chart history" Billboard Hot Country Songs for Alan Jackson.
- ↑ "Alan Jackson – Chart history" Billboard Hot 100 for Alan Jackson.
- ↑ "Best of 2002: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2002. Retrieved July 24, 2012.
| Preceded by "My List" by Toby Keith |
Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks number-one single May 25-June 15, 2002 |
Succeeded by "Living and Living Well" by George Strait |