Daddy What If

Album: Lullabys, Legends And Lies (1973)
Charted: 41
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Songfacts®:

  • This song featured a 5-year-old Bobby Bare, Jr. going back and forth asking his dad questions like, "What if the sun doesn't rise today?" The song is about the relationship between the father and the son.
  • This was written by Shel Silverstein, a popular children's author who was also a prolific songwriter who wrote hits for many Country artists, including Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn. It was very rare for a Country singer to record a whole album of someone else's songs, but that's what Bare did on Lullabys, Legends And Lies, as all the songs were written by Silverstein.
  • Bobby Bare Jr.'s went on to become artist in his own right, and always begins his concerts with a song written by Silverstein. Bare Jr. considers Shel one of his mentors, as far as songwriting and discipline are concerned. (Thanks to Mitch Myers for speaking with us about this song. He is author of Silverstein Around the World, which contains many more stories about Shel. Check out our interview with Mitch Myers.

Comments: 5

  • Joseph Nelson from Poughkeepsie, NyAbout three years earlier the song was recorded by Bill Bixby and Brandon Cruz, in character from The Courtship of Eddie's Father.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn this day in 1974 {February 17th} "Daddy, What If" by Bobby Bare peaked at #2 {for 2 weeks} on Billboard's Hot Country Singles* chart, for the two weeks it was at #2, the #1 record for both those weeks was "Another Lonely Song" by Tammy Wynette...
    "Daddy, What If" reached #5 on the Canadian RPM Country Singles chart...
    Between 1962 and 1985 the Ironton, Ohio native had sixty-nine records on the Hot Country Singles chart, thirteen made the Top 10 with one reaching #1, "Marie Laveau", for one week in July of 1974...
    Four of his sixty-nine charted records were duets, one each was Jeannie Bare, Rosanne Cash, Charlie Daniels, and Lacy J. Dalton...
    Robert Joseph Bare will celebrate his 86th birthday in two months on April 7th, 2021...
    * And from the 'For What It's Worth' department, the remainder of the Hot Country Singles' Top 10 on February 17th, 1974:
    At #3. "I'm Still Loving You" by Joe Stampley
    #4. "There Won't Be Anymore" by Charlie Rich
    #5. "A Love Song" by Anne Murray
    #6. "That's The Way Love Goes" by Johnny Rodriguez
    #7. "World of Make Believe" by Bill Anderson
    #8. "Sweet Magnolia Blossom" by Billy 'Crash' Craddock
    #9. "I Love You, I Love You" by David Houston & Barbara Mandrell
    #10. "There's A Honky Tonk Angel" by Conway Twitty
  • Ariel from Home/lakebay, Wathis song made me and my dad cry
  • Mixermatt from Bloomington, MnOops, I have to open my eyes, it was not 1968 it was1973
  • Mixermatt from Bloomington, MnThe first time hearing the song it brought tears to my eyes and I was about the same age a Booby Bear Jr. And the was about around 68 or about the 1970's.
    As time went and I got older, and the tune " Daddy What If " was stuck back in my mind. With luck and for the love of music I have I was able to track down this great tune by a farther and son.
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