Album: Unconditional (2000)

Charted: 49

License This Song 

Songfacts®:

• This is a tearful Country ballad about the dying love of a father and son. The lead singer was a teenager and drank whisky, then his father caught him in the kitchen and said, "I know you live here, but this is still my home. It's my way or the highway." Then he slammed the door and said "I hate you!" He shook his head and said "okay." Later in life, he discovers for himself how that felt when he got into a nasty argument with his girl, then she slammed the door and said "I hate you." In both incidents, the same message was given. Although they never loved back, that can't stop the love given to them. It's unconditional. >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Landon - Winchester, OH

Comments: 2

• Monte from Glade Spring, VaAnyone who knows Clay personally would know the deep compassion he has for his family. If you listen to the words to the song, it reflects back on his life with his father and his undieing love for Clay. To rebut angela in knoxville, you don't know the true circumstances behing the seperation of Clay and his son so please don't be so quick to judge. And again, listen to this wonderful song.
• Angela from Knoxville, TnSad how he can write a song like this about how much love a father can have for his son but yet, he has a 14 yr old son that he has nothing to do with, & is thousands behind in child support for. Goes to show you, he doesn't write from his real heart. If he would ever get to know his son, those words, I hate you, would be the last words to come out of his son's mouth...even after he gets treated like he has all his life. This man would never flick a wooden nickel to his own son so I would never pay a penny to hear this song-unconditional...hypocracy at its finest.

More Songfacts:

CruiseFlorida Georgia Line

Florida Georgia Line's "Cruise" spent 24 weeks on top of the Country chart - the most ever until Sam Hunt's "Body Like a Back Road" was #1 for 34 weeks. The record was previously held by Eddy Arnold's "I'll Hold You in My Heart (1947-48), Hank Snow's "I'm Moving On" (1950-51) and Webb Pierce's "In the Jailhouse Now" (1955), which each led for 21 weeks.

Jessie's GirlRick Springfield

"Jessie's Girl" tells the true story of a girl Rick Springfield was crushing on, but her boyfriend's name was really Gary and he was more of an acquaintance than a friend.

Doo Wop (That Thing)Lauryn Hill

"Doo Wop (That Thing)" by Lauryn Hill was the only US #1 hit of the '90s entirely written, produced and performed by a female singer.

The Wind Cries MaryJimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix wrote "The Wind Cries Mary" not about marijuana, but about his girlfriend at the time, Kathy Mary Etchingham.

I Gotta FeelingThe Black Eyed Peas

Will.I.am, literally dreamt up "I Gotta Feelin'." Said the Black Eyed Pea: "Have you ever had a dream where there's a melody in your dream? I'll wake up out of my sleep and record that! 'I Gotta Feelin' was one of those songs."

The BestTina Turner

"The Best" by Tina Turner was originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler; Turner's hit version added a bridge and a saxophone solo by Edgar Winter.

Editor's Picks

Dean PitchfordSongwriter Interviews

Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.

Dan ReedSongwriter Interviews

Dan cracked the Top 40 with "Ritual," then went to India and spent 2 hours with the Dalai Lama.

Jackie DeShannon - "Put a Little Love in Your Heart"They're Playing My Song

It wasn't her biggest hit as a songwriter (that would be "Bette Davis Eyes"), but "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" had a family connection for Jackie.