Search by Title

A	B	C	D	E	F	G
H	I	J	K	L	M	N
O	P	Q	R	S	T	U
V	W	X	Y	Z	#

Browse Categories Random Songfact Random Category Add to Songfacts Take the Quiz SongFAQ Get the Newsletter E-Mail Us Message Boards Full Interviews Lyrical Pursuit Song Fallacies

Songfacts:  You can leave comments about the song at the bottom of the page.

A scathing attack on deadbeat dads. It was based on lead singer Art Alexakis' father. He says it is one of the very few songs he has written that is autobiographical.

In 2003, Alexakis told us: "My feelings for my father haven't necessarily changed, but my feelings about myself after writing that song have been much better. It was kind of a catharsis to put those feelings into words, it's a way for me to get things out of my system. The song 'Wonderful' is very much like that too."

Art doesn't speak with his father and can't be sure if he's heard this or not, but he knows that his stepsisters, who were raised by his dad, weren't happy about this song. (Thanks to Art Alexakis for speaking with us about this song. Read his full interview in the songwriter interviews.)

As it states in the song, Alexakis really did get Christmas cards from his father containing $5.

Alexakis testified before congress on March 16, 2000 to endorse a child support bill.

This was remixed and included on Hope In Hockeytown, an album celebrating the Detroit Red Wings back-to-back Stanley Cup Victories.

Comments:

Listen to the wounds of this man, we're all wounded by our father but this is so commonplace. Why? It takes great courage to put this out there. God can heal, just humble yourself and ask him. Don't take my word for it, try it. You'll never know if you don't try.
- j, austin, TX

Instead of song reminding me of my father, it really reminds me of my brother who a lot older than me, who meant the world to me when i was little, and then he got up and left home barely ever talks to me since. The sing really explains all of the emotions I have towards him.
- Emma, Boston, MA

My sister and I used to listen to this song together, neither one of us has seen or heard from our father in over 11 years. I love Everclear almost too much.
- Mollee, Philadelphia, PA

I love this song, but instead of it reminding me of my dad, whom I love and respect, it reminds me of my mother who is the deadbeat. She was gone when I was 17 with a younger brother and sister. It's definitely not just the dads that are the deadbeats.
- Heather, Newark, OH

All Everclear's songs seem to run parrallel to my life! Nothing like Everclear to numb!
- Angela West, Tomball, TX

I LOVE EVERCLEAR...but the one things that really stands out (especially about the lead singer's lyrics) is that they are so universal. I mean, look how many people have responded to it!

I think that a lot of emotion was put more into this song rather to other songs which make it very meaningful and awesome. Vanessa, The Colony, Tx
- Vanessa, The Colony, TX

I like and can relate to the lyric "Father of mine tell me what do you see when you look back on your wasted life and you dont see me" My didn't leave but he doesn't have much to do with me anyway good song
- sarah, Chicago, IL

I can completely relate to this song.
- Leon, Waterbury, CT

First song I ever heard during which I had to stop my car because I was crying. Very powerful and descriptive of a lot of kids of divorce.
- Indy, charlotte, NC

I would disagree with the statement that this is one of the "few" autobiographical songs by Everclear..it seems to me that every song they have done is either about heroin addiction or Art Alexakis' childhood..
- Nick, Arlington Heights, IL

This song sold me on Everclear. If you don't get it, just enjoy the guitars
- Jon, Grand Forks, ND