The Letter (To Daddy)

Album: 100 Proof (2012)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Kellie remains a daddy's girl despite the fact that her father, who has struggled with alcoholism and drug addiction for his whole life, was in and out of jail during her childhood. The singer penned this song for her dad with Nashville songwriters Dean Dillon and Dale Dodson and she told The Boot, "there are moments in that song where my voice cracks, because when we were cutting it I was really emotional."
  • The background to the lyrical content is that Kellie lived with her grandparents, during the times her father was incarcerated and they wrote each other letters. Kellie has kept every single letter that he's ever written to her since she was a child. Now that her dad is sober and in a better place, she is able to write this song, which takes the form of a letter.

    Kellie explained to The Boot: "This letter is something I've always wanted to be able to say. He's struggled his whole life with alcoholism and drug addiction, and that's something you never stop struggling with. When you're an alcoholic, you're always an alcoholic - even if you're sober. You're going to have those days where you feel like giving up. My dad is sober today, but is he going to be tomorrow? I don't know. But I do know that I love and support him, and this song is the most special song on my record. I think it's a sweet way of saying, 'We did it! We're still together, regardless.'"

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Yoko Ono

Yoko OnoSongwriter Interviews

At 80 years old, Yoko has 10 #1 Dance hits. She discusses some of her songs and explains what inspired John Lennon's return to music in 1980.

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

Laura Nyro

Laura NyroSongwriting Legends

Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Supertramp founder Roger Hodgson

Supertramp founder Roger HodgsonSongwriter Interviews

Roger tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home" and "The Logical Song."

U2 Lyrics

U2 LyricsMusic Quiz

How well do you know the lyrics of U2?