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

Pam Tillis

Pam TillisSongwriter Interviews

The country sweetheart opines about the demands of touring and talks about writing songs with her famous father.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Frankie Valli

Frankie ValliSong Writing

An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney Princesses

Part of Their World: The Stories and Songs of 13 Disney PrincessesSong Writing

From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.