Good Good Father

Album: Never Lose Sight (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This Pat Barrett and Tony Brown penned song was originally sung in churches in the Atlanta area. Chris Tomlin's wife, Lauren, heard the tune while attending a conference in the Georgia city and convinced her husband to record it.

    Tomlin told Billboard magazine: "My wife Lauren discovered the song for me and I loved it as soon as she played it for me. Then I found out that I knew one of the guys who wrote it (Pat Barett), so I called Pat to compliment him on writing such a great song and he ended up playing on my version and singing harmonies. It's such a great song about God as a father and his love for people."
  • Released as a single, Tomlin's version debuted at #1 on Billboard's Christian Digital Songs chart, the worship singer's fourth leader on the tally. "What an honor to be part of carrying this song," Tomlin said. "God is a good Father and I think people need to hear that. It's a beautiful thing to lead the song on tour each night, seeing people experience the heart and power of those words."
  • Local Atlanta act Housefires originally recorded "Good Good Father" on their 2014 Housefires II album. Other artists that have recorded the song include Casting Crowns, Big Daddy Weave and Zealand Worship.
  • This won Song of the Year at the 2016 Dove Awards.
  • Chris Tomlin made his debut as an author on October 7, 2016 with the release of the children's book Good Good Father. The story of a little bear's determination to help his friends and seek out the King was inspired by this song.
  • Pat Barrett was originally inspired by his own role as a father to write the song. "When I started having kids and I'm looking at my daughter Harper Gray, and I'm like, 'How am I going to explain God to you?'" he recalled to CBN News. "'How am I going to introduce you to someone who so transformed my life? How am I going to tell you what he's like?'"
  • When Chris Tomlin recorded his version, he prayed beforehand, asking God to "help me not to mess this thing up," worried about doing justice to a song he believed was already powerful without him.
  • Co-writer Tony Brown grew up not knowing his father, which gave the song's central theme deeper emotional weight long before it became a global worship staple.

Comments: 1

  • Brandon from South Africa I really like this song sometimes it even makes me cry
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Matt Sorum

Matt SorumSongwriter Interviews

When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."

Classic Metal

Classic MetalFact or Fiction

Ozzy, Guns N' Roses, Judas Priest and even Michael Bolton show up in this Classic Metal quiz.

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in Rock

Does Jimmy Page Worship The Devil? A Look at Satanism in RockSong Writing

We ring the Hell's Bells to see what songs and rockers are sincere in their Satanism, and how much of it is an act.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."