Dad's Old Number

Album: All of It (2018)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Cole Swindell's father passed away during the 2013 Labor Day weekend when a truck he was working on overturned on him. Five years after the tragic event, Jessi Alexander and Chase McGill co-wrote this bittersweet ballad with Swindell in mind on the singer's tour bus. He told The Boot the story of the song:

    "They were out writing with me that weekend, and the night before, Chase had told me that he had this title, 'Dad's Old Number.' I automatically go to football, but he was like, 'No, it's about having the number you can't call anymore.' I was immediately floored; I was like, 'I love that.'"

    The trio agreed to pen the song the next day, but when their session was due to start Swindell was fast asleep. Alexander and McGill started writing the song between them and by the time the singer was ready to join them, they'd completed it. When Swindell got to hear what they'd come up with he quickly got over his disappointment at missing the session.

    "With 'Dad's Old Number,' it was better to let them do it, because that's what they do," he explained.
  • This is the second song that Swindell recorded which takes on the difficult and personal topic of losing his father. The equally sentimental "You Should Be Here" reached #31 on the Hot 100 hit in 2016.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.

Grunge Bands Quiz

Grunge Bands QuizMusic Quiz

If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.

Tom Johnston from The Doobie Brothers

Tom Johnston from The Doobie BrothersSongwriter Interviews

The Doobies guitarist and lead singer, Tom wrote the classics "Listen To The Music," "Long Train Runnin'" and "China Grove."

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors Examined

Deconstructing Doors Songs With The Author Of The Doors ExaminedSong Writing

Doors expert Jim Cherry, author of The Doors Examined, talks about some of their defining songs and exposes some Jim Morrison myths.

Bass Player Scott Edwards

Bass Player Scott EdwardsSong Writing

Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?