Father

Album: Confident (2015)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • The last song that Demi Lovato recorded for her Confident album, this was written by the singer solo. The track is dedicated to her late father Patrick. She told Billboard magazine: "I get very, very honest about the passing of my dad. My fans expect me to be honest, [but] what I think that people in general aren't going to expect is the way that I sing the song. I took it more to a soulful, gospel kind of sound, and it's the song that I think I might be most proud of on the album."
  • Demi was estranged from her natural father for a long time after he divorced her mother. She previously sung about Patrick Lovato on the 2011 Unbroken track "For the Love of a Daughter" where she takes issue with her long-distant dad. However, after Patrick died of cancer on June 22, 2013, Demi stated that he had been mentally ill, and in his honor she created the Lovato Treatment Scholarship Program.
  • Demi Lovato explained her reasons for penning this song in a video posted to her YouTube channel. "I was very conflicted when he passed because he was abusive," the singer shared. "He was mean, but he wanted to be a good person. And he wanted to have his family, and when my mom married my stepdad, he still had this huge heart where he said, 'I'm so glad that he's taking care of you and doing the job that I wish I could do.'"

    Lovato added that recording the song was therapeutic in a way, and helped her work through her many emotions concerning her father's mental issues. "To know that it wasn't really his fault really was saddening to me," she said. "I wanted to write about it. I wanted to process it, and 'Father' really helped me do that."

Comments: 2

  • Melissa Jonas. from Carop.This is a sad song becuse i like this song it remin me of my father .
  • Chryssie Rose Panteli from Jamestown New York Hi Demi Lovato. I am your huge fan. That song for your dad is so touching And I feel I want to sing with you someday. Love Chryssie
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Sam Hollander

Sam HollanderSongwriter Interviews

The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Divided Souls: Musical Alter Egos

Divided Souls: Musical Alter EgosSong Writing

Long before Eminem, Justin Bieber and Nicki Minaj created alternate personas, David Bowie, Bono, Joni Mitchell and even Hank Williams took on characters.

Creedence Clearwater Revival

Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction

Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.

The Real Nick Drake

The Real Nick DrakeSong Writing

The head of Drake's estate shares his insights on the late folk singer's life and music.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.