Don't Cry Daddy by Elvis Presley

Album: From Elvis In Memphis (1969)

Charted: 8 6

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"Don't Cry Daddy" was written by Mac Davis. Elvis sings it from the perspective of a man who has lost his wife, and his sadness is making his kids sad also. But the song leaves a question: Was it death or divorce? The lyrics don't say. >>>
Suggestion credit:
Dennis - Ambridge, PA
Mac Davis had written "A Little Less Conversation" for Elvis, so when Presley set out to record his From Elvis In Memphis album at American Sound Studio in Memphis, he solicited more songs from Davis, who submitted a tape with 19 tracks. The first song on the tape was "In The Ghetto," the second was "Don't Cry Daddy." Elvis recorded both of them.

As for Davis, he launched a solo career soon after, landing a #1 hit in 1972 with "Baby Don't Get Hooked on Me."

Comments: 6

Diane from KyI think this is left up to the listner as to what the lyrics mean
Laina from PennsylvaniaYou still have me and little Tommy please laugh again Daddy please dont cry ....me is Lisa Marie but who is little Tommy?
Howard from Ohioin response to the comment of Andrew from Canada, while it may or may not have been death, it appears that Tommy had a sibling.... as the words state "You've still got ME AND LITTLE TOMMY" indicating there were TWO children, and that Tommy was NOT the one talking to his dad. Not trying to criticize, just trying to set things straight.
Andrewj from CanadaIn response to the comment above, I'd say that it was death. Tommy says, "Together we'll find a brand new mommy." If his mother hadn't died, he obviously wouldn't be saying this.
Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn November 10th 1969, Elvis Presley's last feature film, "Change of Habit", had its world premiere in New York City...
It would more than two months later on January 21st, 1970 before it was released to theaters across the U.S.A.
The song "Rubberneckin'" was featured in the movie...
Thirteen days after the movie had its premiere, on November 23rd, 1969, "Don't Cry Daddy" b/w "Rubberneckin'" entered Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart at position #73; and nine weeks later on January 25th, 1970 it peaked at #6 {for 1 week} and spent 13 weeks on the Top 100...
It reached #3 on both Billboard's Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and the Canadian Adult chart.
Dave from Broadmoor, CaHey Dennis:

Well seeing that Elvis and precilla didn't get divorced until 1973 I kinda doubt your perspective. I think more than that actual story, Presley like Country music and this is, basically, a country song. Elvis was also a "Sucker" for a really god ballad and this really IS a good one :-)

Dave Crimmen

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